Manchester United ought to have beaten Spurs, and failing to do so reveals how deep the trouble runs for Carrick and his side

Manchester United drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, and the result leaves them with their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead midway through the second half, but Dominic Solanke struck in the 92nd minute to earn Spurs a point, despite playing with 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.

United fans had arrived hoping to enjoy themselves at the expense of Manchester City, whose neighbours are embroiled in a scandal. Before kickoff, the chants of “You cheating bastards, you know what you are” rang out loudly. When Mbeumo put United ahead, the home supporters added a dig at Spurs with “You’re going down with the City.” However, by the time referee Stuart Attwell blew the final whistle, the focus had shifted to how Tottenham, who started the day bottom of the table, had equalised so late.

Carrick admitted the performance was not good enough. “Massively disappointed with the result for sure,” he said. “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 spotlight will fall on Carrick after a result that puts United under increasing pressure. Solanke’s header was the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time, and two of those late goals, against Everton and Spurs, have cost United 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.”

Carrick has not thrown his players under the bus, and he did not do so again in his post-match news conference. However, he has every right to expect more. 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 on the goal

Lisandro Martínez will not want to see the goal again. Only he knows what he was doing when Sandro Tonali’s cross was floated towards Solanke. Rather than dancing around the Spurs striker, he could have tried to head the ball clear. Senne Lammens could also have done better.

Solanke’s goal means Spurs have joined 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 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,” 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.”

Baleba offers a glimpse of hope

There were boos at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes, as Spurs began brightly and United were outplayed for large parts of the first half. The damning guilty verdict in City’s case took the focus off United during the international break, but the frustration soon returned.

The mood began to change when the £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, Carlos Baleba, came on for the first time just before the hour mark. His energy and intent lifted the side. On another day, his cameo would have been the main story, as it offered much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead. However, it was overshadowed by United’s inability to get over the line in a game they should have won.

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.

After another late equaliser, Carrick insists United’s biggest issue is that they have been on the wrong side of fine margins this season. He needs that to change quickly if United are to start heading in the right direction. 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.