Manchester United fans who arrived at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy Manchester City’s troubles left disappointed, as a late goal from Dominic Solanke earned Tottenham Hotspur a 1-1 draw. Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half, but Spurs, who were down to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card for head-butting Luke Shaw, equalised in the 92nd minute.
Before kickoff, the home supporters had sung “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” at their neighbours. When Mbeumo put United ahead, they added a dig at Spurs with “You’re going down with the City”. By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, though, the fans had moved on from the scandal engulfing City. As they left the ground, they talked mainly about how Tottenham had found a way back into the game.
“Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” said one reaction after the match. “A mixed performance, to be totally honest. It was tough. It was challenging for the first period, definitely.”
Late goals cost United again
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Attention will inevitably turn to head coach Michael Carrick, who has every right to expect more from his side. He did not blame his players in his post-match news conference, and he did not do so this time either.
“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,” Carrick 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 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, in different ways, that’s two late, late goals against us to throw away two wins really,” Carrick said. “That changes a lot of things. 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.”
The concern is that United cannot close out matches. It points to a fragile mentality and an inability to handle pressure when it matters most.
A costly moment at the back
Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. He allowed Sandro Tonali’s cross to reach Solanke, and the Spurs striker was left free to score. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Solanke’s goal means Spurs have now joined City in scoring at Old Trafford this season after an opponent was 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 beat them 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, 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 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 growing.
Baleba offers a glimpse of hope
There were boos at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes, as Spurs, who had started the day bottom of the table, began brightly. The damning guilty verdict in City’s case with the Premier League took the focus away from United during the international break, but the frustration soon returned as Carrick’s side were outplayed for large parts of the first half.
The mood began to shift when Carlos Baleba, United’s £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on for the first time just before the hour mark. His energy and intent brought a change in the team’s play. It was a positive debut, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to win a game they should have won.
Fixtures ahead
United 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 assignment at Como.
After another late equaliser, Carrick insists his side’s biggest issue is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season. They need that to change quickly if they are going to start moving in the right direction.
