Manchester United drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, and Dominic Solanke scored a stoppage-time equalizer that left the home side frustrated, even though Tottenham had been down to 10 men since Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half.
United fans arrived hoping to mock their neighbors, Manchester City, who are embroiled in a damaging scandal. Before kickoff, they chanted “You cheating bastards, you know what you are.” After Mbeumo’s goal, they sang “You’re going down with the City” at Spurs. By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, though, United supporters had moved on from City’s troubles. They were more focused on how Tottenham had found a late goal to escape with a point.
Carrick Admits Mixed Performance
Manager Michael Carrick said he was “massively disappointed with the result for sure.” He described the performance as “a mixed performance, to be totally honest,” adding that it was “tough” and “challenging for the first period, definitely.”
Carrick did see progress. “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,” he said. “To then not see it through — we should find a way of seeing that through.”
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick did not blame his players, choosing again not to throw them under the bus in his post-match news conference. Still, he expects more from his side.
Late Goals Cost Points
Solanke’s header was the third time this season that United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those late goals, against Everton and Tottenham, have cost United four points in total.
“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.”
Lisandro Martínez will be unhappy with his part in the goal. He was dancing around Solanke when Sandro Tonali‘s cross came in, and he could have headed the ball clear. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Tottenham now join Manchester City as teams to score at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off. United have 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.”
Pressure Mounts on Carrick
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.
Tottenham, who started the day bottom of the table, began brightly and booed United’s early play at Old Trafford after only 20 minutes. United were outplayed for large parts of the first half. The mood shifted when Carlos Baleba, a £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His introduction brought more energy and intent, and he made a positive debut. However, his contribution was overshadowed by United’s failure to close out a game they should have won.
United next travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. They then face Leeds United next weekend, followed by another tough European assignment at Como.
Carrick insists his biggest issue is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season. To start moving in the right direction, they need those margins to change quickly.
