Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Dominic Solanke scoring a 92nd-minute equaliser after Spurs had been reduced to 10 men. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half, but the result leaves Michael Carrick’s side with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986.
The home fans had arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, and their chants about the neighbours’ scandal were loud before kick-off. Once United took the lead, they turned their attention to Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” By the final whistle, though, referee Stuart Attwell had sent the home crowd home frustrated, and many were more concerned with how Tottenham had struck so late.
Tottenham had been down to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw. Spurs, who had started the day bottom of the table, had begun brightly, and boos rang out around Old Trafford after just 20 minutes as United struggled to impose themselves.
Late goals costing points
Carrick admitted that his side had not been good enough for much of the match. “Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” he said afterwards. “A mixed performance, to be totally honest. I think it was tough. It was challenging for the first period, definitely.”
He pointed to the improvement after the interval. “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.”
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 concern is that United appear unable to close out games, which points to a fragile mentality and an inability to handle pressure when it matters most. Lisandro Martínez will not want to see the goal again, as he dithered when Sandro Tonali’s cross was floated towards Solanke. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles against ten men
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have 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 matches against teams 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 having Idrissa Gueye 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,” 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.
A debut to build on
The day’s news was also overshadowed by the damning guilty verdict against City from the Premier League during the international break, though frustration soon returned at Old Trafford. Carrick’s team had been outplayed for large parts of the first half before the arrival of Carlos Baleba, the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, just before the hour mark. His introduction changed the energy and intent of the side.
On another day, Baleba’s cameo would have been the main story, offering hope for the weeks and months ahead. 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.
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, before heading to Leeds United next weekend. After that comes 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. He needs that to change quickly if they are going to head in the right direction.