Much of the post-match post-mortem for Manchester United has centred on Lisandro Martinez's controversial dismissal, although that only tells half the story amid what was a worrying night for Michael Carrick's men at Old Trafford.
Without two World Cup hopefuls, in the form of Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, the hosts looked all at sea right from the off up against a rampant Leeds United side, failing to make the most of an almost three-week break from action.
It was panic stations in that first half, in particular, as the visitors raced into a two-goal lead, before that man Martinez bailed his side out of trouble after denying Ao Tanaka on the goalline.
Lammens-Sesko-Carrick-Man-Utd
There was, of course, a spirited fight-back after the Argentine's red card, as Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes again combined, but the Red Devils were ultimately left empty-handed, now on a run of just one win in their last four under Carrick's watch.
Carrick's worst night yet as Manchester United manager
There should be no overreaction regarding Carrick's long-term future following Monday's defeat, with the Englishman having done a remarkable job to steer this side into third, particularly considering the threadbare nature of the squad right now.
The ex-United midfielder is desperately short on depth, although where he can take the blame is his selection decisions, including the persistence with the hapless Manuel Ugarte.
While the loss of Mainoo to injury may have forced his hand, Carrick should well have found a different solution considering United have now won just one of the last ten games that the Uruguayan has started, losing six of those.
Manuel Ugarte for Manchester United
Equally too, the decision not to make a single change until the 70-minute mark remains head-scratching, even if the home side did enjoy a late revival, with there having been no immediate reaction from Carrick's troops after the break.
Indeed, it was a night in which United could have almost sealed their Champions League fate by moving ten points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea. Now, defeat to the Blues on Saturday night would see that gap reduced to just four.
While Carrick has endured setbacks so far in 2026, including the dismal loss away to ten-man Newcastle United, this felt like his worst outing to date since returning to the dugout.
Something needs to change.
Carrick needs to shake up his forward line at Stamford Bridge
After a Grand National weekend, United were desperately slow off the starting line against Daniel Farke's men, with the centre-back pairing of Martinez and Leny Yoro having been no match for the physical Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Noussair Mazraoui, recalled to the starting lineup in place of Diogo Dalot, was just as culpable at right-back, albeit with the defence not exactly enjoying much protection from the aforementioned Ugarte ahead of them.
To say that the defensive unit was the only concern would be a mistake, however, with Carrick's selection changes in the forward line also backfiring in a sense, including the decision to select Amad over Bryan Mbeumo.
FFC's Man Utd Player Ratings
Player
GK - Lammens
RB - Mazraoui
CB - Yoro
CB - Martinez
LB - Shaw
CM - Casemiro
CM - Ugarte
RM - Amad
AM - Fernandes
LM - Cunha
ST - Sesko
That tactical tweak wasn't without merit, considering Mbeumo's decline in form of late, although Amad's lack of end product is becoming an increasing concern on that right flank.
Set to turn 24 in July, the Ivorian is no young wonderkid anymore, no player of 'potential'. After the highs of a 2024/25 campaign that saw him rack up 16 goals and assists in the Premier League, and 21 in all competitions, the current season has been something of a regression.
Amad 2024-25 stats (timeless)
Now, it must be said, the ex-Atalanta man was lively as always on Monday night, registering two shots in total, although he offered little in a creative sense, failing to provide a single key pass or successful dribble, while also failing to register a single completed cross.
In all, the 23-year-old's 70-minute outing saw him rack up just 25 touches, a poor return considering that was even fewer than teammate Benjamin Sesko racked up in that lone striker role (27), having also been behind goalkeeper Senne Lammens (33) in that regard too.
Where once the Amad and Mbeumo combination looked like United's biggest threat under Ruben Amorim, now it appears a case of either or, leaving the younger man at risk of finding himself out of the starting lineup again this weekend.
He's dynamic and direct, but a return of just two goals and two assists in the Premier League this season simply isn't up to par for an Old Trafford forward.
Amad-1
It can't always be Fernandes and Casemiro bailing Carrick's side out of trouble...
Man United midfielder Manuel Ugarte Related
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