Manchester United fans arrived at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, but they left with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur after Dominic Solanke struck in the 92nd minute. Spurs 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 sung “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” before kickoff, and they aimed a jibe at Spurs with “You’re going down with the City” after Mbeumo’s goal. Yet by the final whistle, Stuart Attwell’s last blow had ended any thoughts of the scandal engulfing their neighbours. Instead, fans streamed out puzzled by how Tottenham had found a equaliser so late.
Carrick Calls for Improvement
United manager Carrick admitted he was “massively disappointed” with the result. “A mixed performance, to be totally honest,” he said. “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.”
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick does not blame 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 marked the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those late goals, against Everton and Spurs, have cost them four points in total.
“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.”
Defensive Errors Cost Points
The concern is that United cannot close out matches, which points to a fragile mentality and an inability to handle pressure when it matters most. Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch Solanke’s goal again. He stopped to dance around the Spurs striker when he could have headed the ball clear as Sandro Tonali’s cross came in. 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 dismissed. In November, under Ruben Amorim, Everton beat them 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing with 10 men after Idrissa Gueye was 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,” 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 Offers Hope
Boos rang out around Old Trafford after just 20 minutes, as Spurs, who began the day bottom of the table, started brightly and United struggled. The guilty verdict against City in the Premier League case had dominated the international break, but the frustration soon returned for United, who were outplayed for large parts of the first half.
The mood began to shift when £70 million summer signing Carlos Baleba, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His energy and intent lifted United, and his positive debut offered hope for the weeks and months ahead. However, that story 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 visiting Leeds United next weekend. After that comes another demanding European fixture at Como.
Carrick insists that 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 his side are to start moving in the right direction.
Leave a Reply