By user6430589451250935484 Manchester United threw away a lead at Old Trafford on Saturday, conceding a 92nd-minute equalizer to Tottenham Hotspur in a 1-1 draw. Bryan Mbeumo had put United ahead midway through the second half, but Tottenham, who had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw, struck late through Dominic Solanke.
United fans arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, chanting “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” before kickoff. When Mbeumo gave the home side the lead, they added a dig at Spurs with “You’re going down with the City.” By the time referee Stuart Attwell blew the final whistle, though, the scandal engulfing their neighbors had been forgotten. Supporters streamed out of the stadium preoccupied with how United had let a winning position slip.
A Nervous Performance
United overcame a largely nervous and disjointed display to take the lead, but they were out-played for large parts of the first half. Spurs, who began the day bottom of the table, started brightly, and boos rang out at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes.
“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.
“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.”
The energy began to change when Carlos Baleba, a £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, came on just before the hour mark. His debut was positive, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to get over the line in a game they should have won.
Carrick Under Pressure
The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986, and the spotlight will fall on head coach Michael Carrick. Carrick does not throw 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.
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 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,” said Carrick. “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 defensive lapses were clear. Lisandro Martínez will not want to see the goal again, and it remains unclear what he was doing as Sandro Tonali‘s cross floated toward Solanke. Rather than dancing around the Spurs striker, he could have headed the ball clear. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
A Troubling Pattern
Solanke’s goal means Spurs join City in finding the net at Old Trafford this season after having a man 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 sent off. In November, under Ruben Amorim, Everton won 1-0 at Old Trafford despite having Idrissa Gueye 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,” said Carrick. “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.
What Comes Next
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 have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season. He needs that to change quickly if they are going to start moving in the right direction.