Manchester United were beaten 2-0 away at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, conceding inside the first minute and playing the closing stages with ten men after Leny Yoro was sent off. The result, reported by Sky Sports, leaves Michael Carrick's side without a win in five matches.
Pablo Barrios gave the hosts the lead after just 47 seconds, latching onto a straightforward ball played over the United defence. Ademola Lookman added a second with a little over ten minutes remaining, scoring soon after Yoro's dismissal.
The defeat keeps United on three points in the Champions League and increases the scrutiny on Carrick before Sunday's league trip to Leeds.
Why it matters
United arrived in Madrid already under pressure and left with the same problems they carried in. Sky Sports reports the team has now gone five games without a victory, a sequence that includes Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to a Tottenham side that finished with ten men.
The manner of the opening goal will do nothing to quiet criticism about how easily United can be opened up. According to Sky Sports, a single ball over the top was enough to put Barrios through, and he squeezed his finish past the goalkeeper on the line.
United remain on three points in the competition after another disjointed display, and the club's own players are now speaking publicly about the direction of the squad.
Martinez questions the club's summer business
Defender Lisandro Martinez told reporters after the match that he wanted to see more investment in the squad and directed his frustration at the people above the dugout rather than at Carrick.
Martinez said he has to hold himself back at times, describing his reaction as a reflection of where the club currently stands. He said United had a strong season last year and that he now expects more from the top of the club, pointing out that many other teams had also strengthened.
Asked directly whether he had expected more spending over the summer, Martinez said yes, adding that he expects more from the technical director and that the players must also do more. He said building a deeper squad matters for nights like this one.
On where the money should have gone, Martinez said the need was general rather than confined to one position. He said the previous season had laid the foundation for a strong team, and described the situation as annoying and disappointing. He added that he did not see his team trying to get a big result in Madrid.
Martinez also said he did not believe Carrick had been backed sufficiently in the transfer window, though he stressed that the head coach does his best. He argued that a club cannot stand still on last season's work because opponents study how you play and know every detail, calling that a serious problem if nothing changes.
When it was put to him that a change of manager might be the answer, Martinez replied that clubs cycle through managers while other areas go unaddressed, gesturing upwards as he spoke.
How the game unfolded
Sky Sports' minute-by-minute account shows United had chances to level before Atletico's second goal. Bryan Mbeumo's goal-bound effort was deflected narrowly wide on 13 minutes, and an unmarked Carlos Baleba headed a corner straight at Jan Oblak on 25.
Atletico thought they had scored again shortly before half-time when Johnny Cardoso finished from the edge of the box, but the goal was overturned after an on-field review, with Marcos Llorente judged to have handled the ball while his arm was in an unnatural position.
Early in the second half, Julian Alvarez beat the goalkeeper with a left-footed volley but hit the frame of the goal. United then wasted a chance created by Youri Tielemans' ball over the top, with captain Bruno Fernandes missing the target before later striking the crossbar.
The decisive moment came on 75 minutes. Referee Glenn Nyberg reviewed an incident just inside United's half involving Yoro and Jonathan David and showed the France international a straight red card, judging that he had denied a goalscoring opportunity. Speaking on Sky Sports' Soccer Special, Clinton Morrison said the decision was soft and should not have been a red.
Lookman then made the game safe for Atletico with just over ten minutes left.
Sky Sports reports that United created four big chances without converting any, their highest tally in a Champions League match since a September 2012 meeting with Galatasaray, when they also failed to score from four such openings.
What to watch
United travel to Leeds on Sunday in the Premier League, with the match shown live on Sky Sports, and Carrick will face further questions about results, squad depth and the club's recruitment unless his side responds.
