Man United ought to have beaten Spurs, and failing to do so reveals how much trouble Carrick and his side are in
Manchester United came close to a much-needed win at Old Trafford on Saturday, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur after Dominic Solanke scored an equaliser deep into stoppage time. Spurs had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.
Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead midway through the second half, and the home fans taunted Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City” before turning their attention to the scandal engulfing their neighbours. By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, though, the United supporters were focused on how their side had let the result slip.
Carrick said afterwards that he was “massively disappointed with the result for sure”. He added: “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.”
A worrying pattern
The result leaves United with their worst start after six games since 1986, and the spotlight will fall squarely on Carrick. He has not thrown his players under the bus, and he chose not to do so again in his post-match news conference, but he has every right to expect 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 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, 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 concern is that United cannot close out games, which points to a fragile mentality and an inability to handle pressure when it matters most.
Defensive errors
Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. He appeared to be dancing around Solanke as Sandro Tonali’s cross floated towards the Spurs striker, rather than heading the ball clear. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Solanke’s goal meant Spurs joined Manchester City in scoring at Old Trafford this season after having a player sent off. United have now 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, and 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.”
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.
Baleba’s debut offers hope
Boos rang out around Old Trafford after just 20 minutes, as Spurs, who had started the day bottom of the table, began brightly. United were out-played for large parts of the first half, and the frustration quickly returned after the damning guilty verdict in City’s Premier League case had briefly taken the focus away from United during the international break.
The mood began to change when £70 million summer signing Carlos Baleba, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on for the first time just before the hour mark. His cameo brought more energy and intent to the home side. It was a positive debut, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to get over the line in a game they should have won.
Next up
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, before heading to Leeds United next weekend. After that, they face another tough European assignment at Como.
Carrick insists his biggest issue is that United keep falling on the wrong side of fine margins. He needs that to change quickly if the club is going to start heading in the right direction.
