Man United’s failure to beat Spurs exposes how deep the trouble runs for Carrick and his side
Manchester United fans arrived at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy their neighbors’ troubles, but they left frustrated with their own side. Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead midway through the second half, only for Dominic Solanke to header a 92nd-minute equalizer for Tottenham Hotspur, who had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw. The match finished 1-1.
Before kickoff, the home supporters sang loudly about Manchester City’s ongoing scandal, and during the match they taunted Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, however, United fans had largely forgotten the scandal. They were focused on how Tottenham, who started the day bottom of the table, had snatched a draw.
Carrick Calls for Better Game Management
United manager Michael Carrick admitted the performance was far from convincing. “Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” he said afterward. “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.”
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Carrick did not blame his players, choosing not to do so in his post-match news conference, but he expects more from his team.
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,” 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 concession exposed weaknesses at the back. Lisandro Martínez and Senne Lammens both came under scrutiny for the goal. Martínez was dancing around the Tottenham striker when Sandro Tonali’s cross came in, while he could have headed the ball clear. Lammens could also have done better.
The late goal points to a wider problem: a fragile mentality and an inability to handle pressure when it matters most. Solanke’s goal means Tottenham have now scored at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off, just as City did earlier. United have also 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 Idrissa Gueye being dismissed for slapping his own teammate.
Carrick stressed that his side must manage leads better, regardless of numbers on the pitch. “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.”
Summer Signing Offers Hope
United struggled for large parts of the first half, and boos rang out around Old Trafford after just 20 minutes. The intensity only began to change when Carlos Baleba, the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His cameo brought energy and intent that had been missing, and his debut was positive. On a different day, that contribution would have dominated the headlines, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to hold on to a winnable game.
Pressure Builds Ahead of Busy Fixtures
United face a demanding run of fixtures. They travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then head to Leeds United next weekend. After that, they face another tough European test at Como.
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 growing. He insists his biggest issue is that United keep losing out on fine margins this season. Unless that changes quickly, the club will struggle to move in the right direction.