By user-4235704036418671222 Manchester United fans who came to Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy their neighbours’ troubles left disappointed, and they were too preoccupied with their own problems to dwell on Manchester City‘s scandal for long. United took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo midway through the second half, only for Tottenham Hotspur, who were down to ten men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw, to equalise with a 92nd-minute goal. The final score was 1-1.
Before kick-off, the home supporters had chanted at City, and when Mbeumo put United ahead they taunted Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” Those jibes soon gave way to frustration as the fans left the ground, with the conversation centring on how Tottenham had found a late equaliser.
“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.”
Carrick under pressure
The spotlight will fall on Michael Carrick after a result that leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick has never been one to blame his players in public, and he did not do so again in his post-match news conference, but he has every right to expect more from his side.
Dominic 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 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 recurring problem points to a fragile mentality and an inability to cope with pressure when it matters most. Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. He was dancing around the Spurs striker when Sandro Tonali‘s cross was floated towards Solanke, and he should have tried to head the ball clear. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
A troubling record against ten men
Solanke’s goal means Tottenham join City in finding the net 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 ten 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.
Boos and a debut to build on
Spurs, who started the day bottom of the table, began brightly, and there were boos at Old Trafford after only 20 minutes as Carrick’s side were outplayed for large parts of the first half. The guilty verdict against City in the Premier League case had taken the focus off United during the international break, but the frustration returned quickly.
The mood began to shift when Carlos Baleba, the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His energy and intent gave United a lift. On another day, his cameo would have been the story, offering much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead. It was a positive debut, but it 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 before heading to Leeds United next weekend. After that, they face another tough European assignment at Como.
After yet 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 moving in the right direction.