Manchester United fans who came to Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy Manchester City’s troubles left disappointed, as a late Tottenham Hotspur equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw for the visitors. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half, but Dominic Solanke headed Spurs level in the 92nd minute, even though Tottenham had been down to 10 men since Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.
Before kickoff, the home crowd had sung “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” at their city rivals. After Mbeumo’s goal, they added a dig at Spurs with “You’re going down with the City.” By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, though, the scandal engulfing City had faded from the minds of the United supporters. Instead, they streamed out of the stadium asking how Tottenham had managed to snatch a point.
Carrick said afterward that he was “massively disappointed with the result for sure.” He described the performance as “mixed,” adding, “I think it was tough. It was challenging for the first period, definitely.”
“There was a big improvement through the second half as it progressed and we put ourselves in such a good position towards the end of the game,” Carrick said. “To then not see it through — we should find a way of seeing that through.”
A Worrying Pattern for United
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick has not thrown his players under the bus, and he did not do so again in his post-match news conference, but he has every right to expect more from his side.
Solanke’s header was the third time this season that United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those late goals, against Everton and Spurs, have cost them four points.
“It’s a couple of times now when — different ways, obviously — that’s two late, late goals against us to throw away two wins really,” Carrick said. “That changes a lot of things, you know. It changes a lot of feelings for ourselves and it changes points and what [the table] looks like. We need to do better with seeing out games, that’s for sure, once we get ourselves in a good position.”
That repeated failure raises concerns about United’s mentality and their ability to cope with pressure when it matters most.
The goal also put the spotlight on Lisandro Martínez, who was dancing around the Spurs striker when Sandro Tonali‘s cross floated toward Solanke. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles Against Ten Men
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have joined City as teams to find the net at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off. United have now failed to win any of their past three games against sides with 10 men. In March, they lost 2-1 at Newcastle United after Jacob Ramsey was sent off. In November, under Ruben Amorim, Everton beat them 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing with Idrissa Gueye dismissed for slapping his own teammate.
“It’s definitely something where — 10 men or not 10 men — if we’re ahead in the game, we’ve got to see games out,” Carrick said. “Whether that’s taking the ball, whether that’s controlling the game a little bit more, looking after the ball better in their half and around their box and pinning them in a little bit, or whether that’s defending moments better. Certainly, we need to improve that.”
The last time United had fewer than six points after six games, Ron Atkinson was sacked as manager. Carrick is not there yet, but the pressure is mounting.
Baleba’s Debut Offers Hope
Spurs, who began the day bottom of the table, started brightly, and boos rang out at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes. United were outplayed for large parts of the first half. The damning guilty verdict against City in its Premier League case had taken attention away from United during the international break, but the frustration returned quickly.
The mood began to shift when Carlos Baleba, a £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His cameo brought more energy and intent to United’s play. On another day, his positive debut would have been the main story, but it was overshadowed by his side’s failure to hold on to a winnable game.
Next Up
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then head to Leeds United next weekend. After that comes another tough European assignment at Como.
Carrick insists United’s biggest problem is that they keep finding themselves on the wrong side of fine margins this season. He needs that to change quickly if United are to start moving in the right direction.