Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday, after Dominic Solanke scored a 92nd-minute equalizer. Spurs had been down to 10 men since Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.
The home supporters had arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, but the scandal engulfing their neighbors soon faded from view. United took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo midway through the second half, and the crowd sang “You’re going down with the City” at Spurs. By the time referee Stuart Attwell blew the final whistle, however, fans were talking about how Tottenham had found a way to salvage a point.
A Nervous Performance
United struggled for long periods. Spurs, who started the day bottom of the table, began brightly, and boos rang out around Old Trafford after just 20 minutes. Mbeumo’s goal came against the run of play, but the hosts were unable to hold on.
“Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” Carrick 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.”
Another Late Blow
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986, and it adds to the pressure on Carrick. Solanke’s header was the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those goals, against Everton and Spurs, have cost the club 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.”
Defender Lisandro Martínez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens will be scrutinized over the goal. Martínez allowed Solanke space as Sandro Tonali‘s cross came in, and Lammens could also have done better.
Struggling Against Ten Men
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have joined City as the only visitors to find the net at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off. United have 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 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,” 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.”
A Promising Debut
The day also brought a positive note. Carlos Baleba, the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark, and United’s energy and intent began to change. His debut was encouraging, but it was overshadowed by the team’s failure to win a game it should have won.
United face Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then travel to Leeds United next weekend. After that comes another demanding European fixture at Como. Carrick insists his biggest concern is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season, and he knows those margins must change quickly.