Manchester United drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday after Dominic Solanke’s header in the 92nd minute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s second-half goal. Spurs had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.
The home fans had arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, chanting “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” before kickoff. United took the lead midway through the second half through Mbeumo, and the crowd turned its attention to Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” By the final whistle, however, the supporters were talking about how Tottenham had found a late equalizer.
United were far from convincing. Referee Stuart Attwell blew for full time after a largely nervous and disjointed performance from the hosts, who were out-played for large parts of the first half. Spurs, who started the day bottom of the table, began brightly, and boos rang out at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes.
Carrick Faces Familiar Questions
Head coach Michael Carrick said his side had improved after the break. “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 leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick did not criticize his players publicly, 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.”
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. The pattern points to a fragile mentality and an inability to handle pressure when it matters most.
Defensive Errors Cost Points
Lisandro Martínez will not want to see the goal again. He allowed Solanke room when Sandro Tonali’s cross came in, and he could have headed the ball clear instead of trying to dance around the Spurs striker. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have joined 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 10 men. In March, they lost 2-1 at Newcastle United after Jacob Ramsey was sent off. In November, under Ruben Amorim, Everton beat them 1-0 at Old Trafford despite having Idrissa Gueye dismissed for slapping his own teammate.
Carrick stressed the need to manage games better. “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.”
Baleba Offers Hope
Carlos Baleba made his debut for United after being introduced just before the hour mark. The £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion brought more energy and intent to the team. His cameo offered encouragement, but it was overshadowed by the team’s failure to hold on to a lead.
The damning guilty verdict in Manchester City’s case with the Premier League had briefly drawn attention away from United during the international break. That focus returned quickly once the frustration on the pitch took hold again.
A Demanding Run of Fixtures
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then face Leeds United next weekend. After that comes another tough European assignment against Como.
Carrick insists his biggest problem is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season. The club needs that to change quickly. The last time United had fewer than six points after six games, Ron Atkinson was sacked as manager, and the pressure on Carrick is mounting.