Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday after Dominic Solanke scored in the 92nd minute, despite Tottenham playing with 10 men for most of the match. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half.
The home fans had arrived hoping to mock Manchester City, whose neighbors are dealing with a damaging guilty verdict in their Premier League case. Before kickoff, they sang “You cheating bastards, you know what you are.” When Mbeumo put United ahead, they turned their attention to Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, though, those fans were focused on how Tottenham had salvaged a point.
Tottenham lost Rodrigo Bentancur to a red card for head-butting Luke Shaw. Even so, they found the equalizer late in the match.
“Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” one post-match comment began. “A mixed performance, to be totally honest. I think it was tough. It was challenging for the first period, definitely.”
The same speaker added: “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.”
Carrick Faces Questions Over Late Goals
The result leaves United with their worst start after six games since 1986. Carrick has not thrown his players under the bus, and he did not do so again in his post-match news conference, but the pressure on him is growing.
Solanke’s header was the third time this season United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those goals, against Everton and Spurs, have cost United 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.”
Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. He was closest to Sandro Tonali’s cross as it floated toward Solanke, and he did not clear the ball decisively. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have now scored at Old Trafford this season after having a man sent off, joining City in that distinction. 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 beat United 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.”
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.
Baleba Debut Offers Hope
Boos rang out at Old Trafford after only 20 minutes, as Spurs, who began the day bottom of the table, played with energy. United were outplayed for large parts of the first half, and the frustration returned quickly.
The change came just before the hour mark, when Carlos Baleba made his first appearance for United. The £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion brought energy and intent to the side. His debut was positive, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to win a game they should have won.
What Comes Next
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then face Leeds United next weekend. After that, they have 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 United are going to start moving in the right direction.
