Carrick’s troubles deepened as Manchester United slipped to a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid, ending the night with 10 men after Leny Yoro’s red card. Pablo Barrios Rivas scored after only 53 seconds at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, and Ademola Lookman sealed the win in the 79th minute.
Pablo Barrios Rivas put the hosts in front after only 53 seconds at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, giving Atletico Madrid a dream start and leaving Manchester United with an immediate uphill task. Glenn Nyberg was the referee.
The opening goal came after United were sliced open by a single ball forward. Alex Baena laid the ball off for Barrios, whose finish trickled in after a touch from Yoro.
United looked rattled for the first 10 minutes but managed to prevent further damage before they began to threaten. Bryan Mbeumo saw an opportunity bounce wide, and Marcus Rashford made a promising run after being found over the top by Lisandro Martinez, only for the move to lack a final touch.
Mbeumo was then picked out in the left hand channel and forced a fine save from Yan Oblak. From the resulting corner, Carlos Baleba, making his first United start, headed straight at the goalkeeper.
Atletico remained dangerous. Alex Grimaldo struck a wonderful free kick against the outside corner of the goal, underlining the chaotic nature that has followed United this season.
It appeared United would go into half time 2-0 down after more defensive uncertainty, but the referee spotted a handball before Johnny Cardoso swept the ball into the net. The goal was ruled out by VAR, so United survived with the deficit still at one.
United probed early in the second half, yet it was Atletico who went closest again. Julian Alvarez volleyed against the post after an excellent pass from Barrios.
Another chance went begging for United when Bruno Fernandes dinked an effort over Oblak and watched it bounce on the wrong side of the post. At the other end, Lammens had to parry away an attempt from Baena.
United then struck the woodwork themselves. Fernandes took a corner short, collected the ball again and bent a fine effort onto the crossbar.
The sense that United’s chance to win the game had passed grew when Yoro was sent off for a clumsy challenge as the last man. The dismissal came after a VAR check for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
Minutes later, Atletico wrapped up the points. Lammens made an initial save, but Lookman tucked in the rebound to make it 2-0.
The defeat was United’s fourth of the season, and they have now won just one of their last seven matches. Both Atletico and Manchester United sit on one win and one defeat in their Champions League campaign.
Upcoming fixtures now await Manchester United.
Atletico Madrid’s win came through goals from Pablo Barrios Rivas and Ademola Lookman, while Manchester United finished with 10 men. The result left United with a fourth defeat of the season and one win from their last seven, while both sides have one win and one defeat in the Champions League.
