Manchester United drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday after Dominic Solanke scored a 92nd-minute equalizer, even though Tottenham had been reduced to 10 men. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half.
United fans arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, but they left disappointed. Their own problems overshadowed the scandal engulfing their neighbors. Chants of “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” rang out before kickoff, and the home supporters later taunted Spurs with “You’re going down with the City” after Mbeumo’s goal. By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, though, the fans were focused on how Tottenham had salvaged a point.
Tottenham had lost Rodrigo Bentancur to a red card for head-butting Luke Shaw. Solanke’s header then arrived late in stoppage time, and it was the third time already this season that United have conceded in the closing moments of a match. Two of those late goals, against Everton and Tottenham, have cost United four points.
Carrick Admits Mixed Performance
Carrick was frank about his team’s display. “Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” he said afterward. “A mixed performance, to be totally honest. I think it was tough. It was challenging for the first period, definitely.”
He also pointed to the improvement after the break. “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 after six games since 1986. Carrick did not blame his players in his post-match news conference, but he acknowledged that the team has to do more. “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,” he 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.”
Late Goals Point to a Deeper Problem
Solanke’s goal came after Sandro Tonali’s cross was floated toward him, and Lisandro Martínez was the defender closest to the danger. Martínez chose to dance around the Spurs striker rather than head the ball clear, and Senne Lammens could also have done better.
United have also struggled against teams with 10 men. Spurs have now joined City in scoring at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off. United have failed to win any of their past three games against sides reduced to 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.
Carrick stressed the need for better game management. “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,” he 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.
Spurs Start Strongly, Baleba Offers Hope
Boos rang out at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes as Tottenham, who had started the day bottom of the table, began brightly. United were outplayed for large parts of the first half. The damning guilty verdict against City in its Premier League case had dominated the international break, but the frustration among United supporters soon returned.
The mood began to shift when Carlos Baleba, United’s £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on for the first time just before the hour mark. His energy and intent lifted the home side. On another day, his cameo would have been the main story, as it offered much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead. Instead, the focus stayed on United’s failure to hold on to a lead in a game they should have won.
Tough Fixtures Ahead
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then head to Leeds United next weekend. After that, they face another demanding European assignment at Como.
Carrick insists that United’s biggest issue is their poor fortune in fine margins this season. United need that to change quickly if they are going to start moving in the right direction.