The number is nine
Chelsea 2–0 Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (October 31) was not a bad result in a bad run. It was the ninth game in a row without a win, United's worst sequence since 1988/89 (3). Seven points from nine league games. Seventeenth place. Only goal difference keeps you above the line (15).
Romeo Lavia called it a statement win (7). He was right, but not in the way he meant. United were the fixture other teams use to make themselves look good.
Carrick is defending a position he can no longer choose
Carrick's answer after the game was blunt: "Ficámos com a corda no pescoço," the rope around the neck (23). He expects to still be in the dugout against Roma on Tuesday.
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Whether the club agrees is another matter. Sky Sports reports he gets at least two more matches, Roma and then Aston Villa (26). The Athletic claims the hierarchy built November's losses into their plan, judging him only at the November international break (Reddit 4). Meanwhile United reportedly contacted Eddie Howe about the job (24). Ole Gunnar Solskjær has publicly backed Carrick: "Michael has what it takes to take that club forward" (8) (22).
That last one is the tell. When your old boss has to vouch for you on the record, the board is already reading the small print.
The squad tells its own story
Lisandro Martínez was sent off at Chelsea, and analysts have since called him the worst player in the Premier League this season (25) (29). Luke Shaw's place is no safer. Bruno Fernandes has been linked with Milan and a reunion with Ruben Amorim (17). Fermín López has closed the door on a January move to Old Trafford by committing to Barcelona until 2031 (1) (6) (13).
Up front, United are chasing a striker in a window that opens in two months. Balogun has been offered (5) (9), Toney is on the list at around £30m (2) (10) (18), and Mateta talks could begin at £30m in January (4). All of it is January. None of it helps against Roma.
What to watch
Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday at 21:00, then Aston Villa at home on Sunday November 8 at 17:30. Two home games in six days against sides that will not do you favours.
Villa matters most, and not just for points. United's board rate Unai Emery, and Villa's owner has been accused of acting to block that interest (Reddit 5). Beat him and the noise quiets for a week. Lose, and the international break arrives with a decision attached.
