Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday, as Dominic Solanke scored a 92nd-minute equalizer to rescue a point for the visitors, who had played the final stages with 10 men. United had taken the lead through Bryan Mbeumo midway through the second half, but they could not hold on.
The home fans had arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, chanting “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” before kickoff. Their mood shifted quickly after the final whistle. As referee Stuart Attwell ended the match, United supporters were preoccupied with how Tottenham had found a late goal after Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card for head-butting Luke Shaw.
“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 added: “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 United
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Solanke’s header was the third time this season that United have conceded in stoppage time, and two of those late goals, against Everton and Tottenham, have cost them four points.
Carrick did not blame his players in his post-match news conference, but he made his frustration clear. “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.”
Lisandro Martínez will not want to see the goal again. He was dancing around the Tottenham striker when Sandro Tonali’s cross was floated toward Solanke, and he could have tried to head the ball clear instead. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles Against Ten Men
Solanke’s goal means Tottenham 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 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 having Idrissa Gueye dismissed 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.
Boos and a Debut Spark
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 out-played for large parts of the first half, and the frustration quickly returned after the damning guilty verdict against City had taken the focus off United during the international break.
The mood began to change when £70 million summer signing Carlos Baleba, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on for the first time just before the hour mark. His energy and intent lifted the home side. It was a positive debut, but it was overshadowed by United’s inability to get over the line in 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 equalizer, 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 going to start heading in the right direction.