Manchester United ought to have beaten Spurs, and failing to do so reveals how deep a hole Carrick and his side are in

Manchester United drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday after Dominic Solanke headed an equaliser in the 92nd minute, despite Tottenham playing the final stages with 10 men.

The home fans had arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City’s expense, given the scandal that has engulfed their neighbours. Before kickoff, they sang loudly against City. When Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead midway through the second half, the crowd turned its attention to Spurs with a chant of “You’re going down with the City.” Referee Stuart Attwell blew the final whistle, however, and United supporters left the ground preoccupied with how their side had let the lead slip.

Tottenham, who started the day bottom of the table, had been down to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw. The visitors still found a way back into the game.

“Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” the United boss 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.”

A worrying pattern

The result leaves United with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986, and the pressure on the manager is growing. He has never been one to blame his players in public, and he did not do so again after this match, but he has every right to expect more.

Solanke’s goal was the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those late goals, against Everton and Spurs, have cost the club 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,” the manager 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. Lisandro Martínez will not want to watch the goal again. He chose to contest the ball in a way that allowed Sandro Tonali‘s cross to reach Solanke, and Senne Lammens could also have done better.

Spurs became the second side this season to score at Old Trafford after having a player sent off, following City. United have now failed to win any of their past three matches against teams with 10 men. In March, they lost 2-1 at Newcastle United after Jacob Ramsey was dismissed. In November, under Ruben Amorim, they lost 1-0 at home to Everton, who had 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,” the manager 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’s debut offers hope

Boos rang out at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes as Spurs began brightly. The guilty verdict against City in the Premier League case had dominated headlines during the international break, but United’s frustration soon returned as they 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 introduction brought more energy and intent. It was a positive debut, but it was overshadowed by United’s failure to hold on to a lead in a game they should have won.

United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then face Leeds United next weekend. After that, they have another tough European fixture, away at Como.

The manager insists that his biggest issue is that United keep losing out on fine margins this season. He needs that to change quickly if the club is to start moving in the right direction.