Manchester United’s fans arrived at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to mock Manchester City, but they left frustrated by their own team. United took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo midway through the second half, only for Dominic Solanke to equalize for Tottenham Hotspur deep into stoppage time in a 1-1 draw. Tottenham had played the final stretch with 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.
Before kickoff, United supporters chanted “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” toward their neighbors, who are embroiled in a scandal. When Mbeumo put United ahead, the home fans added a dig at Spurs with “You’re going down with the City.” By the time referee Stuart Attwell blew the final whistle, though, the focus had shifted to how Tottenham, who started the day bottom of the table, had snatched a point.
“Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” read one reaction from the United camp. “A mixed performance, to be totally honest. I think it was tough. It was challenging for the first period, definitely. 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 Familiar Problem Under Pressure
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick, who does not blame his players publicly, has nonetheless faced growing scrutiny. Solanke’s header was the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time, and two of those late goals, against Everton and Tottenham, 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 pattern raises questions about United’s mentality and their ability to handle pressure when it matters most. Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. He allowed Sandro Tonali’s cross to reach Solanke, and he could have headed the ball clear instead of dancing around the Spurs striker. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles Against Ten Men
Solanke’s goal means Tottenham joined City as the only sides to find the net at Old Trafford this season after an opponent had 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 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 building.
Boos, Frustration and a Debut Overshadowed
Boos rang out around Old Trafford after just 20 minutes as Tottenham started brightly and Carrick’s side were outplayed for large stretches of the first half. The Premier League’s guilty verdict against City during the international break had briefly taken attention away from United, but the frustration returned quickly.
The energy changed when Carlos Baleba, the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on for the first time just before the hour mark. His cameo offered hope for the weeks and months ahead, and it was a positive debut. Still, it 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, then head to Leeds United next weekend. After that comes another demanding European assignment at Como. Carrick insists his biggest issue is that United keep losing out on fine margins this season. He needs that to change quickly if United are to start moving in the right direction.