Manchester United drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, as Dominic Solanke scored an equalizer in the 92nd minute. Bryan Mbeumo had put United ahead midway through the second half, but Spurs struck late even after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.
Before kickoff, the home supporters had chanted about Manchester City’s off-field scandal. By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, though, United’s own problems dominated the conversation as fans left the stadium.
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Manager Michael Carrick was candid about the performance, calling it a mixed display that was tough, especially in the first half.
“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.”
A Pattern of Late Goals
Carrick acknowledged that his team improved after a sluggish start. “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,” he said. “To then not see it through — we should find a way of seeing that through.”
Solanke’s header was the third time this season United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those late goals, against Everton and Tottenham, have cost them four points in total. Carrick pointed to the broader impact.
“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.”
Defenders Lisandro Martínez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens will want to review the equalizer. Martínez allowed Sandro Tonali’s cross to reach Solanke, and Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles Against Ten Men
Solanke’s goal means Tottenham joined Manchester City as the only teams to score at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off. United have now failed to win any of their past three matches against teams playing with 10 men. In March, they lost 2-1 at Newcastle United after Jacob Ramsey was sent off. In November, under Ruben Amorim, Everton won 1-0 at Old Trafford despite Idrissa Gueye being dismissed for slapping his own teammate.
Carrick stressed the need to manage games better when ahead. “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.”
Tottenham, who began the day bottom of the table, were booed by no one but drew early applause from their supporters as they started brightly. Boos did ring out at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes, as United were outplayed for large parts of the first half.
Baleba Provides a Spark
The mood shifted when Carlos Baleba, a £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on for the first time just before the hour mark. United’s energy and intent improved noticeably after his introduction. His debut was positive, though it was overshadowed by the team’s failure to hold on to a lead.
What Comes Next
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then face Leeds United next weekend. After that comes another demanding European fixture against Como.
Carrick believes his biggest issue is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins this season. The pressure is rising, and United need to turn those narrow losses and late collapses into results quickly if they want to move in the right direction.