Manchester United drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, as Dominic Solanke scored a 92nd-minute equaliser for the visitors after they had been reduced to 10 men. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half.
The home supporters arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, given the scandal that has engulfed their neighbours. Their chants before kick-off were loud, and they taunted Spurs with “You’re going down with the City” after Mbeumo’s goal. By the final whistle, however, the fans were focused on how United had let the points slip.
Tottenham, who started the day bottom of the table, had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw. Referee Stuart Attwell then oversaw a game in which United struggled to impose themselves for long periods.
Carrick Calls for Improvement
Afterwards, the United boss was candid about his side’s performance. “Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” he said. “A mixed performance, to be totally honest. I think it was tough. It was challenging for the first period, definitely.”
He pointed to a better second half. “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. To then not see it through — we should find a way of seeing that through.”
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick has been careful not to blame his players, but he is entitled to expect more. Solanke’s header was the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time, and 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.”
Defensive Errors Cost Points
Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. As Sandro Tonali’s cross was floated towards Solanke, the Argentine dithered rather than heading the ball clear, and Senne Lammens could also have done better. The concern is that United seem unable to close out games and lack the composure to handle pressure when it matters most.
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have joined City in scoring at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off. United have now failed to win any of their past three matches against teams with 10 men. In March, they lost 2-1 at Newcastle United after Jacob Ramsey was dismissed. In November, under Ruben Amorim, Everton won 1-0 at Old Trafford despite having Idrissa Gueye sent off 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.”
Pressure Mounts on Carrick
The last time United had fewer than six points after six games, Ron Atkinson was sacked as manager. Carrick is not in that position yet, but the pressure is building. Boos rang out around Old Trafford after only 20 minutes, as Spurs began brightly and United were outplayed for large parts of the first half.
There was some encouragement in the closing stages. Carlos Baleba, the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, was introduced just before the hour mark, and United’s energy and intent began to improve. On another day, his debut would have been the main talking point, providing much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead. Instead, it was overshadowed by United’s failure to win a game they should have won.
United now face Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, before travelling to Leeds United next weekend. After that comes another demanding European fixture, at Como.
Carrick insists his biggest issue is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season. He needs that to change quickly if they are to start moving in the right direction.
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