In a 2-0 loss to lowly Wolves, captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off, dealing yet another blow to Manchester United’s dismal season.
Early in the second half, Fernandes was sent off for a second bookable offence, earning him his third red card of the season.
Under new manager Vitor Pereira, Wolves capitalized to win two straight games.
After opening the score with a goal straight from a corner, Matheus Cunha set up Hwang Hee-chan with what was essentially the final kick of the match.
Even before Fernandes was fired, United, who dropped to 14th place, had only won twice in seven Premier League games since Ruben Amorim took over last month. They also had a lackluster offensive strategy.
Wolves’ victory was sufficient to pull them out of the relegation zone, and Leicester will now go to leaders Liverpool.
The Portuguese have been left in no doubt about the magnitude of the task Amorim confronts in trying to turn around a fallen titan, making the optimism that greeted his early days in charge seem like a faint memory.
Amorim made just two changes in response to Sunday’s 3-0 humiliation at home against Bournemouth.
Joshua Zirkzee was replaced up front by Rasmus Hojlund, and Leny Yoro entered the defense.
However, as Cunha demonstrated the worth of a forward in form, the Dane found it difficult to make any impression.
Following a 2-1 loss earlier this month that cost Gary O’Neil his job, Wolves’ top scorer is expected to be suspended due to an FA misconduct charge for an altercation with an Ipswich employee.
This season, only Alexander Isak, Cole Palmer, Erling Haaland, and Mohamed Salah have scored more goals in the Premier League than the Brazilian international.
In contrast, United’s talisman failed them.
Two minutes into the second half, Fernandes recklessly rushed in on his Portuguese international teammate Nelson Semedo, teetering on the edge of a first-half booking.
Referee Tony Harrington’s use of a second yellow and a red caused little protests, even from the always combative Fernandes.
The 30-year-old was sent off in a 3-3 Europa League draw at Porto after his first red card of the season against Tottenham was overturned on appeal.
When Semedo squared for Jorgen Strand Larsen to tap in, Wolves nearly immediately turned the man advantage into a goal.
However, before hitting the cross, the Norwegian had veered offside.
Since Amorim took over for Erik ten Hag, United’s shortcomings from set pieces have been frequently revealed.
They gave up what turned out to be the game-winning goal from a corner or free kick for the sixth straight Premier League match.
The Cameroonian’s cries for a foul were ignored as Cunha’s in-swinging delivery struck the far post with United goalkeeper Andre Onana positioned between two Wolves players.
Because Wolves were apprehensive, United was able to push for an equalizer in the closing moments.
On yet another gloomy night for Amorim, however, the 10-man Red Devils came closest to redemption as Harry Maguire’s header floated into Jose Sa’s arms.
Deep into stoppage time, Hwang and Cunha were reduced to beating Onana alone, which further aggravated United’s problems.