Manchester United could only manage a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, as Dominic Solanke headed an equaliser in stoppage time. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half, and Spurs had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.
Before kickoff, the home fans had chanted about Manchester City’s off-field troubles, and after Mbeumo’s goal they aimed a jibe at Spurs, who began the day bottom of the table. Once the final whistle sounded, though, the mood had changed. Supporters were far more concerned with how Tottenham had found a 92nd-minute leveller than with the scandal engulfing their neighbours.
“Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” he 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.”
A worrying pattern for Carrick
The spotlight now falls firmly on Michael Carrick. The draw means United have endured their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick does not criticise his players publicly, and he chose not to do so again in his post-match news conference, but the scrutiny on him is growing.
Solanke’s header was the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those late goals, against Everton and Tottenham, have cost the club 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,” said Carrick. “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 raise questions about United’s mentality and their ability to cope with pressure when it matters most. Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. He allowed Sandro Tonali‘s cross to reach Solanke, who was left unmarked, and Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles against ten men
Solanke’s goal means Tottenham have joined Manchester City as the only sides to score at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off. United have now failed to win any of their last 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 Idrissa Gueye having been 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,” said Carrick. “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 in that position yet, but the pressure is building.
Promising debut overshadowed
Boos rang out around Old Trafford after just 20 minutes, as Tottenham started brightly and Carrick’s side were outplayed for large spells of the first half. The guilty verdict against Manchester City in the Premier League case had moved attention away from United during the international break, but the frustration soon returned.
The mood began to shift when £70 million summer signing Carlos Baleba, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His introduction brought more energy and intent to the side. His debut was positive, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to see out a match they should have won.
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then face Leeds United next weekend. After that, they face another demanding European fixture at Como.
Carrick insists his side’s biggest problem is that they have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season. Those margins need to start falling their way quickly if United are to move in the right direction.
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