Manchester United fans arrived at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, but they left disappointed. A 92nd-minute equalizer from Dominic Solanke salvaged a 1-1 draw for Tottenham Hotspur, who had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card for head-butting Luke Shaw.
The home crowd had sung loudly before kickoff, targeting their neighbors with chants about the scandal engulfing City. When Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead midway through the second half, fans also taunted Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, though, the mood had shifted. Fans streamed out preoccupied with how Tottenham had found a way back.
A Mixed Performance
The post-match assessment was blunt. “Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” one United voice said. “A mixed performance, to be totally honest. I think it was tough. It was challenging for the first period, definitely.”
United had struggled to control the game for long stretches. Spurs, who started the day bottom of the table, began brightly, and boos rang out around Old Trafford after just 20 minutes. The home side’s frustration grew as they were outplayed for large parts of the first 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,” said Carrick. “To then not see it through — we should find a way of seeing that through.”
Late Goals Costing Points
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick chose not to blame his players in his news conference, but he has every right to expect more. 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 defensive lapses on the equalizer drew scrutiny. Lisandro Martínez will not want to see the goal again, as he appeared to dance around the Spurs striker rather than head the ball clear when Sandro Tonali’s cross came in. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggling Against Ten Men
Solanke’s goal means Spurs 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 teams with 10 men. In March, they lost 2-1 at Newcastle United after Jacob Ramsey was sent off. In November, under Ruben Amorim, Everton won 1-0 at Old Trafford despite Idrissa Gueye’s dismissal 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.”
Positive Signs Overshadowed
The day’s brightest moment came when Carlos Baleba, United’s £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, entered just before the hour mark. His introduction shifted the energy and intent of the team. It was a positive debut, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to close out a game they should have won.
The pressure on Carrick is mounting. The last time United had fewer than six points after six games, Ron Atkinson was sacked as manager. Carrick insists his biggest issue is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season, and he needs that to change quickly.
What Comes Next
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then head to Leeds United next weekend. After that, they face another tough European assignment at Como.