Manchester United conceded a 92nd-minute equalizer to Tottenham Hotspur and settled for a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday, even though they had taken the lead through Bryan Mbeumo midway through the second half. Spurs had been reduced to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw, and Dominic Solanke scored the late goal.
The home fans had arrived hoping to enjoy the scandal engulfing neighbors Manchester City, and they sang about it before kickoff. By the final whistle from referee Stuart Attwell, though, the chatter had shifted to how United had let a winning position slip away.
A Mixed Performance Before a Late Collapse
United struggled for long stretches. Their play was largely nervous and disjointed, and boos rang out at Old Trafford after only 20 minutes as Spurs, who had started the day at the bottom of the table, began brightly. Spurs were the better side for much of the first half.
Mbeumo’s goal gave the home side hope, and the second half brought a clear improvement. United pushed forward and built a strong position late in the match. They could not hold it.
Head coach Michael Carrick was blunt about the outcome in his post-match news conference. “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.”
A Pattern of Late Goals
Solanke’s header was the third time this season United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those goals, against Everton and Spurs, have cost the club four points.
The goal also raised questions about the defense. Lisandro Martínez was caught dancing around the Spurs striker when Sandro Tonali‘s cross arrived, and he could have attempted to head the ball clear. 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 also 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 beat them 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing with 10 men after Idrissa Gueye was dismissed for slapping a teammate.
Carrick acknowledged the problem. “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.”
Baleba Offers Hope
The day’s brightest moment came when Carlos Baleba, a £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, entered just before the hour mark. His introduction changed the energy and intent of the team. His debut was positive, but it was overshadowed by the result.
Pressure Builds
The draw leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. The last time they had fewer than six points after six matches, Ron Atkinson was sacked as manager. Carrick is not there yet, and he is not the type to blame his players publicly. He did not do so again after this match, but he has every right to expect more.
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then face Leeds United next weekend. After that comes another demanding European assignment at Como. Carrick insists the core problem is that his team keeps losing on the wrong side of fine margins. He needs that to change quickly.