Yoro red card and 47-second goal condemn 10-man United to defeat at Atletico

Manchester United suffered a damaging 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano on Wednesday, with Pablo Barrios scoring inside 47 seconds and Leny Yoro dismissed in the 74th minute to leave Michael Carrick’s side in deep trouble in the Champions League.

United needed a win to arrest a run of poor results, but any hope of that was extinguished almost immediately. Alex Baena exposed a cavernous gap behind the United defence in the opening minute, and Barrios punished it with a finish that set the tone for a bruising evening. It was the worst possible start, and one that felt entirely in keeping with United’s chaotic recent form.

Despite the early setback, United did manage to work their way back into the contest. Bryan Mbeumo forced a superb save from Jan Oblak and went close again shortly after, while Carlos Baleba spurned a free header at the back post. Atletico, meanwhile, threatened repeatedly on the counter but were let down by their final ball on several occasions — a Johnny Cardoso curled effort was ruled out for handball in the build-up.

United carried that momentum into the second half and looked the more likely to score, but the match turned decisively in the 74th minute. Jonathan David raced clear on the break and Yoro, attempting to halt him, put his arm across the Canadian striker. Referee Glenn Nyberg reviewed the incident on the monitor and produced a straight red card for the young Frenchman — a decision that, while looking innocuous in real time, ended any realistic prospect of a United comeback.

The result deepens the scrutiny on Carrick, whose side have now failed to win in successive matches following last week’s draw at Tottenham. At the very stadium where this season’s Champions League final will be held, United provided a stark reminder of the distance between themselves and Europe’s elite.

For Carrick, the questions will only grow louder. United barely looked as though they believed a turnaround was possible, and that sense of resignation may prove the most damaging aspect of an already difficult night in Madrid.