Manchester United fans who went to Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense left disappointed, as their own problems proved too pressing. United took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo midway through the second half, but a 92nd-minute equaliser from Dominic Solanke salvaged a 1-1 draw for Tottenham Hotspur, who finished the game with 10 men.
Before kickoff, the home crowd had chanted about City’s off-field scandal, and after Mbeumo’s goal they mocked Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” However, by the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, the fans were focused on how Tottenham had grabbed a point. Spurs had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.
“Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” Carrick 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.”
Pressure builds on Carrick
The spotlight will inevitably fall on Carrick. The result means United have their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick has not blamed his players publicly, and he did not do so again in his post-match news conference, but he has every right to expect more.
Solanke’s header was the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those late goals, against Everton and Spurs, have cost the club 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.”
That pattern points to a fragile mentality and an inability to handle pressure when it matters most. Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. He was dancing around Solanke when Sandro Tonali‘s cross floated in, and he should instead have headed the ball clear. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles against ten men
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have joined City as the only visiting sides to score 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,” 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.
Glimmer of hope from Baleba
Spurs, who began the day bottom of the table, were the brighter side early on, and boos rang out at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes. The damning guilty verdict in City’s case with the Premier League had moved the focus away from United during the international break, but the frustration returned quickly as Carrick’s side were outplayed for large parts of the first half.
The mood began to shift when Carlos Baleba, the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on for the first time just before the hour mark. His energy and intent lifted the side. On another day, his cameo would have been the story, as it offered much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead. However, his positive debut was overshadowed by United’s failure to see out a game they should have won.
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then head to Leeds United next weekend. After that comes another tough European assignment, away 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 United are to start heading in the right direction.