Dominic Solanke headed Tottenham Hotspur level in the 92nd minute, earning a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday and denying Manchester United a victory they appeared to have secured. Tottenham had been down to 10 men since Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw, and Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half.
The home supporters had arrived hoping to mock their neighbours at Manchester City, whose case has dominated the headlines. The chants of “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” rang out before kickoff. When United took the lead, the fans turned their attention to Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, however, the scandal engulfing City had been forgotten. Fans streamed out of the stadium debating how Tottenham had managed to snatch a point.
United had not been convincing. Spurs, who began the day bottom of the table, started brightly, and boos echoed around Old Trafford after only 20 minutes as Carrick’s side struggled to impose themselves in the first half.
Carrick Calls for Better Game Management
Carrick admitted the performance had been mixed. “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.”
He pointed to a clear improvement after the interval. “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.”
The result means United have endured their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick has not thrown his players under the bus, and he did not do so again at his post-match news conference, but he acknowledged the scale of the problem. “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,” he 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.”
Late Goals Expose Fragility
Solanke’s header was the third time this season United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those goals, against Everton and Tottenham, have cost them four points. The pattern raises questions about United’s mentality and their ability to handle pressure when it matters most.
Lisandro Martínez will not want to see the goal again. He was closest to Solanke when Sandro Tonali’s cross was floated towards the striker, and Senne Lammens could also have done better. Rather than attempting to deal with the Tottenham striker, Martínez might have simply headed the ball clear.
Solanke’s goal means Tottenham joined City as the only sides to score at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off. United have now failed to win any of their last 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 beat them 1-0 at Old Trafford despite Idrissa Gueye having been sent off for slapping his own teammate.
Carrick stressed the need for better game management. “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,” he 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.”
A Debut Offers Some Hope
There was one bright spot for United. Carlos Baleba, the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, made his debut just before the hour mark, and the energy and intent of the home side began to change. On another day, his cameo would have been the main talking point, offering much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead. Instead, it was overshadowed by United’s failure to see out a game they should have won.
United face Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, before travelling to Leeds United next weekend. Another demanding European fixture at Como follows.
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. After another late equaliser, he insists his biggest issue is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins this season. He needs that to change quickly if United are to start moving in the right direction.