Pressure piles on Man United's Carrick after 2-0 defeat at Chelsea

LONDON, Oct 31 : The travelling fans applauded Michael Carrick when he strode to the corner of the Shed End at Stamford Bridge to acknowledge them but Manchester United's former stalwart midfielder and current manager cut a forlorn figure as he left the pitch after a 2-0 Premier League defeat by Chelsea on Saturday.

A reckless challenge on Wesley Fofana midway through the second half earned Lisandro Martinez a sending off and Chelsea a penalty for their second goal, sealing United's fate in their ninth straight game without a win in all competitions.

The United board decided to stick with Carrick for the Chelsea game despite a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth last weekend and a 4-1 drubbing at Como in the Champions League.

But the jubilant Chelsea crowd's rendition of "You'll be sacked in the morning" sounded increasingly portentous as he disappeared down the tunnel.

Carrick sidestepped questions about his future.

"I'm just looking forward to getting the boys ready for midweek," he said. United meet Roma at home in the Champions League on Tuesday.

United, with captain Bruno Fernandes restored to the side after falling out with Carrick, looked lively in the first half but squandered a series of chances, notably from Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, who had a goal ruled offside, and Amad Diallo.

Bryan Mbuemo also hit the post.

"We didn't capitalise on the moments we had," Carrick said. "Second half got away from us... sometimes you get tough moments in the game and you have to deal with that."

United were punished four minutes into the second half when Morgan Rogers picked up the ball just inside their half and cantered past a hesitant defence before delicately lifting it past goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Cole Palmer scored from the spot in