Atletico Punish Ten-Man United as Carrick Pressure Boils Over
Pablo Barrios needed less than sixty seconds to rip up Manchester United's game plan, and by the end of a bruising night at the Metropolitano, Atletico Madrid had handed the Red Devils a 2-0 Champions League defeat that piles the pressure on Michael Carrick.
Barrios capitalised on an early lapse in the United defence to fire Atletico ahead inside the opening minute, stunning the visitors before they had even settled. It was the perfect start for Diego Simeone's side, who had lost their European opener at Liverpool and were desperate to get their campaign moving.
United tried to respond, with Bryan Mbeumo leading the attack, but clear chances were rare against an Atletico defence marshalled superbly. Alejandro Grimaldo came closest to doubling the lead before the break, striking the woodwork with a curling free-kick, while Johnny Cardoso had a goal disallowed.
Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar from distance in the 70th minute as United pushed for an equaliser, but the night turned decisively against them four minutes later. Defender Leny Yoro was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Jonathan David, reducing the visitors to ten men.
Atletico made their numerical advantage count within five minutes. Substitute Ademola Lookman reacted quickest after goalkeeper Senne Lammens could only parry Jonathan David's shot, slotting home in the 79th minute to seal the victory and send the home crowd into delirium.
The defeat means United have now gone five matches without a victory and have won only once in seven outings in all competitions. With a trip to Italy to face Como next up in the Champions League, Carrick is running out of time to turn this season around.
"Tonight is a one-off game in judgement, it is the Champions League and a tough place to come. We are doing certain things OK," Carrick told Amazon Prime afterwards — words that will do little to calm the growing unrest among the Old Trafford faithful.
Both sides now have one win and one defeat from their opening two Champions League fixtures, but while Atletico's campaign is back on track, United's season is threatening to spiral.
Read more: UCL Matchday 2 preview — crisis-hit United faced the Atletico test | Man City vs PSG: the other big UCL night
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