Michael Carrick's Manchester United were beaten by Leeds United at Old Trafford but still remain in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League
Michael Carrick endured just his second defeat in charge of Manchester United on Monday night as Leeds United enhanced their survival prospects at Old Trafford.
Carrick had triumphed in each of his first six home league matches in charge before this fixture, but a first-half double from Noah Okafor helped deliver all three points for Daniel Farke's side. Casemiro's powerful header set up a tense finale with that goal arriving after Lisandro Martinez was dismissed for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair.
Nevertheless, despite the setback, United still find themselves well placed to finish in the top five. Should Carrick's side claim maximum points in their next three fixtures, then his team will be assured of playing in the Champions League next season.
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That's because United head to Stamford Bridge on Saturday and if they overcome Chelsea, Liam Rosenior's side will only be capable of reaching a maximum of 63 points, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Even if Chelsea manage to defeat United this weekend, the Reds will still be able to clinch Champions League football with three victories from their remaining six matches.
As well as Chelsea, United face Brentford, Liverpool, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion between now and the end of the campaign. Speaking after the loss 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.
"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."