Manchester United’s frustration deepened on Saturday after Tottenham Hotspur, reduced to 10 men, scored a 92nd-minute equaliser at Old Trafford to earn a 1-1 draw. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half, but Dominic Solanke’s late header denied them a result that would have lifted the home side.
The Manchester United fans who arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense left disappointed. Their chants of “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” before kickoff were loud, and the home supporters also taunted Spurs with “You’re going down with the City” after Mbeumo’s goal. By the final whistle, though, referee Stuart Attwell had blown for full time, and the scandal engulfing their neighbours had faded from view. Fans streamed out of the stadium discussing how Tottenham had managed to salvage a point.
Tottenham had lost Rodrigo Bentancur to a red card for head-butting Luke Shaw, which left them with 10 men for much of the game. They started the day bottom of the table.
“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.
“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 raise questions for Carrick
The spotlight will inevitably fall on Michael Carrick after a result that condemns United to their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick has not sought to blame his players publicly, and he chose not to do so again at his post-match news conference, but the pressure on him is growing.
Solanke’s header was the third time 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,” 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 defensive breakdown was clear. Lisandro Martínez will not want to see the goal again, as he seemed to hesitate when Sandro Tonali’s cross reached Solanke. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles against ten men
Spurs became the second side to score at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off, following City’s experience there. 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. 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,” 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.”
A difficult first half and a bright debut
Boos rang out at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes as Spurs began brightly, and Carrick’s side were outplayed for large parts of the first half. The damning guilty verdict in City’s case with the Premier League had taken attention away from United during the international break, but the frustration returned quickly.
The mood began to shift when Carlos Baleba, United’s £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His energy and intent gave the home side a lift. On another day, his cameo would have been the main talking point, as it offered much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead. Instead, his positive debut was overshadowed by United’s failure to see out a game they should have won.
Fixtures ahead
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.
Carrick insists that his side’s biggest issue is their poor fortune in fine margins so far this season. United need that to change quickly if they are to start moving in the right direction. 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.
