Manchester United are facing a genuine threat of relegation after a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea extended their winless run to nine games and marked four losses in five matches under Michael Carrick.
United have failed to win any of their first seven away fixtures across all competitions for the first time since the 1973/74 campaign, when the club was last relegated from the top flight. Losses for Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest left United in 17th place with seven points from 27, averaging 0.77 points per game. No team has ever survived the drop with fewer than 30 points across a 38-game season.
Lisandro Martinez was sent off at Stamford Bridge, while captain Bruno Fernandes appeared teary-eyed after the match. United have scored just ten league goals this term, with Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo netting four each, Matheus Cunha adding one, and an Ipswich Town own goal making up the total. Natural striker Benjamin Sesko is sidelined until January with an injury.
United failed to sign another striker in the summer despite spending £163m. If United lose to Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, they will match their joint-worst run of results in 75 years.
Club chiefs previously agreed during crisis talks to reach the November international break before evaluating Carrick's position following a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth. Addressing the team's struggles, Carrick stated, "We have got to keep moving forward and winning games, simple as that."
