Chelsea took full advantage of Manchester United’s second-half collapse to condemn the visitors to a third straight loss and heap yet more pressure on Michael Carrick according to BBC Sport.
United are now without a win in nine games in all competitions, their longest such run since October-November 1988.
A fourth Premier League defeat of the season leaves United 16th, a point above the relegation zone, with under-fire boss Carrick in an increasingly precarious position just days after being given the chance turn things around following a dismal start to the campaign.
After an encouraging first-half performance, United allowed Morgan Rogers to saunter unchallenged through the heart of the defence to dink home the opener for Chelsea five minutes after the break.
Cole Palmer doubled the hosts’ lead from the penalty spot 14 minutes later after the video assistant referee spotted Lisandro Martinez, not looking at the ball, thrust an arm into the face of Wesley Fofana.
As a result, Martinez was sent off for a second yellow card and, once Palmer converted the spot kick, the game was all but over as a contest.
It could have been worse for the away side as Chelsea winger Estevao, handed his first league start of the season by Xabi Alonso, smashed in a third, only for it to be ruled out for a marginal offside.
United had had the ball in the back of the net themselves during a promising first 45 minutes but Matheus Cunha’s close-range header was checked by VAR and eventually disallowed for offside.
The recalled Bruno Fernandes also put a good chance over, while Amad Diallo twice failed to convert with just Chelsea keeper Mike Penders to beat – but United failed to maintain that level in the second half.
There had been a smattering of boos for Chelsea at half-time but they eased the displeasure with a much-improved showing after the break.
Rogers, aided by the most generous of United defending, gave them the initial boost they needed before Martinez’s two bookings in the space of three minutes, leading to Palmer’s penalty, put them in complete control.
They could, and perhaps should, have added to their advantage with the lively Estevao coming close and substitute Valentin Barco missing a glorious late chance.
United forward Bryan Mbeumo thundered a shot against the bar in stoppage time but while Carrick’s side could end the weekend in the bottom three, Chelsea are up to fourth.
Analysis: United lapses see bright start wasted
Going in at half-time, Carrick had every reason to be pleased with what he had seen from his side.
They had battled well, limited Chelsea to very few chances and with more clinical finishing could have been a couple of goals ahead.
Key to the performance was their shape and tactical discipline, giving the home side no way through.
Yet five minutes into the second half that all went out of the window as Romeo Lavia won the ball around halfway and passed to Rogers, who must not have been able to believe his luck as the United players stood like statues as he ran towards goal.
Andrey Santos failed to get across, while Harry Maguire and Martinez practically escorted him into the box until the forward was seven yards out and chipped into the net.
Like that, the momentum had changed and any chance of United reversing it took a decisive hit with the Martinez red card.
Booked for multiple kicks at Rogers’ ankles just a couple of minutes earlier, the Argentina centre-back turned his back on the ball from a corner and shoved Fofana in the face.
It was entirely needless and one of the simpler VAR decisions you’ll see this season.
The game was gone and, despite his unlikely survival this week, it would be a shock if Carrick isn’t too soon.