Manchester United fans who arrived at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense left disappointed, as their own team struggled to beat Tottenham Hotspur. United led 1-0 through Bryan Mbeumo midway through the second half, but Dominic Solanke’s stoppage-time header earned Spurs a 1-1 draw, even though they had been reduced to 10 men.
The home supporters had sung “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” before kickoff, and they added “You’re going down with the City” after Mbeumo’s goal. By the final whistle, though, the scandal engulfing their neighbours had faded from their minds. As they left the stadium, they were talking about how Tottenham, who had lost Rodrigo Bentancur to a red card for head-butting Luke Shaw, had equalised in the 92nd minute.
Afterwards, Carrick said: “Massively disappointed with the result for sure. 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.”
Late goals cost United dearly
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986, and the spotlight will inevitably fall on Carrick. He has not thrown his players under the bus, and he did not do so again in his post-match news conference, but he has every right to expect more from his side.
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 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,” said Carrick. “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 cannot close out matches, 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. He was dancing around Solanke when Sandro Tonali’s cross was floated towards the Spurs striker, and he should have tried to head the ball clear. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles against ten men
Solanke’s goal means Tottenham join City in scoring 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 dismissed, and in November, under Ruben Amorim, Everton won 1-0 at Old Trafford despite Idrissa Gueye being 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,” said Carrick. “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.
Early boos and a promising debut
Boos rang out at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes, as Tottenham, who had started the day bottom of the table, began brightly. The damning guilty verdict against City in the Premier League case had taken the focus off United during the international break, but frustration returned quickly as Carrick’s side were outplayed for large parts of the first half.
The mood began to change only when £70 million summer signing Carlos Baleba, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His cameo offered much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead, and it was a positive debut. However, it was overshadowed by United’s failure 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, they face another tough European assignment at Como.
After another late equaliser, 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 to start heading in the right direction.
