Carrick is looking for “lessons” after Manchester United’s first loss

But results never tell the whole story.

Four games before West Ham, Manchester United were “stumbling,” Carrick admitted. It took a stoppage-time goal from Benjamin Sisko to salvage a point.

At Everton, Sisco finished with the only notable passage of play from either side. On Sunday, Manchester United’s response to falling behind early against Crystal Palace was subdued until Matheus Cunha was awarded a penalty which also brought the red card that turned the game on its head.

Carrick’s team achieved good results. However, their most recent performances have not matched those that saw them beat Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham at the start of his time at the helm.

Cunha and Brian Mbeumo did not pose a goal threat. Kobbie Mainoo’s performance levels have declined, while penetration into the full-back areas has decreased.

It is a basic fact that they do not have an endless supply of quality players. By the final whistle at St. James’ Park, Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Nassir Mazraoui and Patrick Dorjo were absent due to injury. Casemiro and Luke Shaw were out and feeling the effects of two tough games in four days. Carrick does not have enough depth to cover those losses while maintaining high standards.

So it’s embarrassing that Manchester United lost to 10 men for the second time in just over three months. The damage was done at the hands of William Osola – the player who appeared on the pitch at Old Trafford as an 11-year-old to collect the final World Skills Victory Award for Schools Football.

His goal came after he beat Tyrell Malasia, who was making only his second appearance in the season he began as a member of Amorim’s “Bomb Team.” The previous match was against Newcastle as well.

The damage isn’t too bad though. Liverpool lost 24 hours ago to the bottom of the standings, before Aston Villa suffered a heavy loss at home to Chelsea on Wednesday.

Manchester United remains in third place. They remain outside the teams competing for three Champions League places as well as the places to be claimed by Arsenal and Manchester City, teams with no European or domestic cup berths.

“We have to learn from this,” Carrick said.

“There is no sense in not learning the lessons and understanding how tonight happened.

“But we can’t lose sight of the bigger picture, we’ve put ourselves in a position that could be really exciting.

“We have to be positive before the next match and look forward to it because there is a lot to play for.”

Carrick is right about that.

He needs to ensure that his team’s response to this defeat will be equally emphatic.