Analysis: Now we will learn about Carrick

This day was always going to come.

The Premier League this season has been too unpredictable for Manchester United's unbeaten run to go on forever.

Michael Carrick has had an outstanding start in charge. Now he has to show whether he can rejuvenate a losing side.

This was not quite as bad as the defeat by 10-man Everton at Old Trafford in November under Ruben Amorim, but it was poor, there is no getting away from that.

The visitors failed to impose themselves on their opponents. This was yet another game when they let them have the initiative. Once again, it took far too long for them to get going.

The issues for Carrick appear to be a series of smaller ones rather than the fundamental tactical formation as was the case in Amorim's time.

Against Crystal Palace, the attacking options from the full back areas were poor. Against Newcastle, the links between midfield and attack were non-existent.

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were peripheral figures. Benjamin Sesko was hardly in the game and skipper Bruno Fernandes' difficulties were highlighted by the amount of time he spent complaining. Kobbie Mainoo did not do enough to hold the midfield together.

Manchester United thought their unbeaten record under Carrick was going at West Ham before Sesko salvaged a draw deep into stoppage time. Now it has.

Aston Villa are their next opponents, at Old Trafford on 15 March. Carrick has time to sort what is going wrong out. Beat Villa and he will have one foot in next season's Champions League. Lose and questions about his suitability for the boss' role full-time will grow louder.