United Review | Chelsea away | 26/27 season

Chelsea 2 - 0 United 

A second-half collapse in South London 

Author | Liam C

After an encouraging first-half display, United switched off defensively five minutes after the break, allowing Morgan Rogers to stroll unchallenged through the heart of our defence before dinking the ball past the goalkeeper to give Chelsea the lead.

Cole Palmer doubled the hosts' advantage from the penalty spot 14 minutes later after VAR spotted Lisandro Martinez, who was not looking at the ball, thrusting an arm into Wesley Fofana's face.

Martinez was shown a second yellow card and sent off, while Palmer converted the resulting penalty to leave United with a mountain to climb. The contest was effectively over.

After that, Bryan Mbuemo hit the crossbar but that was the only chance we had after the home side doubled their lead.

Despite all this, the United end stood defiant. They really don't deserve us. 

Will Carrick be sacked?

It's hard to say for certain as many thought he would go during the week. However, United fans are still supportive of the man.

Different vibe from United supporters to last week. Applauded Carrick + the players, most of whom stood long to look at the feedback. Loud away end all game, spent last part singing on loop about the Busby Babes. Usual targets also in their crosshairs. #MUFC

— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) October 31, 2026

What went wrong in the second-half? 

Carrick told the media: "Well, that's football, you know. You've got to do certain things to get that performance and we never really got going in the second half. It started a little bit scrappy and then they score really quickly and the game changes completely after that."