Manchester United fans who turned up at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense left disappointed, having drawn 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half, but Dominic Solanke’s 92nd-minute equaliser earned Spurs a point, despite Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card for head-butting Luke Shaw.
Before kickoff, the home supporters had chanted about their neighbours’ scandal, and they later taunted Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” By the final whistle, however, the focus had shifted back to United’s own problems.
The referee, Stuart Attwell, had only just blown for full time when the home fans began to dwell on how Tottenham, reduced to ten men, had found a late goal.
Carrick Admits Frustration
“Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” the United boss said afterwards. “A mixed performance, to be totally honest. 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. 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 is not the type to blame his players publicly, and he did not do so again in his post-match news conference, but he has every right to expect more from his side.
Late Goals Continue to Haunt United
Solanke’s header was the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those 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.”
The repeated collapses suggest a fragile mentality and an inability to cope with pressure when it matters most. Lisandro Martínez will certainly not want to see the goal again. He allowed Sandro Tonali’s cross to reach Solanke, and Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles Against Ten Men
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have joined City in finding the net 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 ten 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.”
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.
A Positive Cameo
There were boos at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes, as Spurs, who had started the day bottom of the table, began brightly. The damning guilty verdict against City in the Premier League case had taken the focus away from United during the international break, but the frustration soon returned as Carrick’s side were outplayed for large parts of the first half.
The mood began to shift just before the hour mark, when £70 million summer signing Carlos Baleba, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on for his first appearance. His energy and intent gave United a lift. On another day, his cameo would have been the main story, as it offered much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead. It was a positive debut, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to see out a game they should have won.
What Comes Next
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, before heading to Leeds United next weekend. After that, they face another tough European assignment at Como.
After another late equaliser, 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.