Man Utd should have beaten Spurs, and their failure to do so shows how much trouble Carrick and company are in
Manchester United fans who went to Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy Manchester City’s troubles left disappointed, as their own side conceded a 92nd-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
The home crowd had chanted “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” before kickoff. When Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead midway through the second half, supporters taunted Spurs with “You’re going down with the City.” But by the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, the fans had largely moved on from the scandal engulfing their neighbours. Instead, they were left asking how Tottenham, who had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw, had salvaged a point.
Carrick admitted the performance had fallen short. “Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” he said afterwards. “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.”
Late goals a growing concern
The result leaves United with their worst start after six games since 1986. Carrick is not one to blame his players publicly, and he did not do so again in his post-match news conference, but the pressure on him is building.
Dominic 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.
“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.”
The pattern points to a fragile mentality and an inability to handle pressure when it matters most. Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. He was positioned poorly as Sandro Tonali’s cross reached Solanke, and he did not head the ball clear. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Struggles against 10 men
Solanke’s goal means Tottenham have joined Manchester City as 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 sides 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 playing with 10 men after Idrissa Gueye was dismissed 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.
Frustration in the first half
Tottenham, who started the day bottom of the table, began the brighter side, and there were boos at Old Trafford after only 20 minutes. The Premier League’s guilty verdict against City during the international break had shifted attention away from United, but the frustration returned quickly as Carrick’s team were outplayed for long periods of the first half.
The mood began to change just before the hour mark, when summer signing Carlos Baleba, a £70 million arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on for his first appearance. His energy and intent lifted the home side. On another day, his cameo would have been the main talking point, as it offered hope for the weeks and months ahead. However, it was overshadowed by United’s failure to close out a game they should have won.
Busy run ahead
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, before visiting Leeds United the following weekend. Another demanding European fixture follows against Como.
Carrick insists his biggest problem is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season. He needs that to change quickly if the club is to start moving in the right direction.
