Manchester United fans who arrived at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy Manchester City’s troubles left disappointed, because Tottenham Hotspur snatched a 1-1 draw with a 92nd-minute equaliser from Dominic Solanke, despite playing the final stages with 10 men.
The home supporters had sung loudly about City’s scandal before kick-off, and they took a dig at Spurs when Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead midway through the second half. However, once referee Stuart Attwell blew the final whistle, the focus had shifted to how Tottenham had escaped with a point. Rodrigo Bentancur had been sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw, yet Spurs still found a way to equalise.
“Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” the United manager 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.”
Carrick under pressure as late goals mount
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986, and Carrick will face increased scrutiny. He has not blamed his players publicly and 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,” 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 doubts about the squad’s mentality and its ability to handle pressure when it matters most. Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again after Sandro Tonali‘s cross was floated towards Solanke, and Senne Lammens could also have done better. Carrick accepts that the team must improve in these situations.
Struggles against ten men
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have joined City as teams to score against United 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 dismissed. In November, under Ruben Amorim, Everton won 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing with 10 men after Idrissa Gueye was 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 there yet, but the pressure is building.
Baleba provides a spark
Spurs, who began the day bottom of the table, started brightly and drew the first boos from the Old Trafford crowd after just 20 minutes. United were outplayed for large parts of the first half, and frustration soon returned. The Premier League’s damning guilty verdict against City had briefly taken attention away from United during the international break, but that focus did not last.
The mood began to change when Carlos Baleba, the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His energy and intent gave United a lift, and his debut was a positive one. On another day, his cameo would have been the main story, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to win a game they should have won.
Tough fixtures ahead
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, before heading to Leeds United next weekend. After that, they face another demanding European assignment at Como.
Carrick insists that 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 his side are to start moving in the right direction.