Michael Carrick suffered his first home defeat in charge of Manchester United after Noah Okafor scored twice to secure Leeds United a 2-1 win
Michael Carrick following Manchester United's defeat to Leeds United
Michael Carrick following Manchester United's defeat to Leeds United(Image: (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images))
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Michael Carrick suffered just his second defeat in charge of Manchester United as Leeds United boosted their survival hopes at Old Trafford.
Carrick had won each of his first six home league games in charge prior to this game, but a first-half brace from Noah Okafor helped secure Daniel Farke’s side all three points. Casemiro’s thumping header set up a nervy conclusion; that goal came after Lisandro Martinez was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
However, despite the defeat, United still find themselves in a strong position to finish in the top five. And should Carrick’s side pick up maximum points in their next three games, then his side will be guaranteed to be playing in the Champions League next season.
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That's because United travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and if they beat Chelsea, Liam Rosenior’s side will only be able to reach a maximum of 63 points.
And even if Chelsea manage to beat United this weekend, the Reds will still be able to secure Champions League football with three wins from their last six games.
As well as Chelsea, United play Brentford, Liverpool, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion between now and the end of the season.
Speaking after the defeat to Leeds, Carrick said: "We didn't start the game particularly well. We conceded, which came after Leny Yoro got a forearm smash in the back of his head.
Senne Lammens and Luke Shaw following Manchester United's defeat to Leeds United
Senne Lammens and Luke Shaw following Manchester United's defeat to Leeds United(Image: (Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images))
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"They didn't decide to overturn that, which was a big moment in the game. We didn't quite have the rhythm, we didn't click. We had some moments, but it wasn't there for large parts of the half.
"I thought the boys stayed positive and fought for everything in the second half, after a shocking decision to send Licha [Martinez] off.
"That's two games in a row we've had those decisions go against us, but that one was one of the worst I've seen. You can elbow Leny Yoro in the side of the head, a leading arm, obviously.
"Then you can throw your arm in Licha's face and as he's off-balance because of that, he half touches the back of his hair which pulls the bobble out and leads it to look like - I don't even know what it looks like.
"It's not a pull, it's not a tug, it's not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off. Worst of all is he was sent to overturn it as a clear and obvious error. It's shocking."