Manchester United let another Premier League victory slip through their fingers on Saturday, conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
Bryan Mbeumo looked to have secured three points for Michael Carrick’s side when he finished brilliantly in the 73rd minute, but Dominic Solanke silenced the home crowd with a late header despite Tottenham having been reduced to 10 men.
Manchester United had a numerical advantage after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off following an altercation with Luke Shaw. However, they failed to make it count, leaving Carrick with plenty to think about after another frustrating afternoon.
The result leaves United with six points from their opening six Premier League matches, their worst return at this stage of a season since 1986-87.
Manchester United struggle to find their rhythm
Michael Carrick made two changes to the side that drew with Fulham before the international break, bringing Amad Diallo back into the starting lineup after his injury absence and handing Leny Yoro his first Premier League start of the campaign.
Tottenham began the brighter side and nearly took the lead inside the opening 20 minutes. A risky pass from Senne Lammens put Kobbie Mainoo under pressure, allowing Solanke to get a clear sight of goal, but the United goalkeeper recovered to make an excellent save.
Mohammed Kudus also came close, flashing an effort just wide of the post as Roberto De Zerbi’s side looked the more threatening team.
United’s first meaningful opportunity arrived after half an hour when Mbeumo broke forward on the counter-attack and found Amad. The winger’s effort lacked the power to trouble Antonin Kinsky.
The hosts briefly thought they had taken the lead when Youri Tielemans converted Matheus Cunha’s pass, only for the goal to be ruled out because Cunha had allowed the ball to go out of play.
The performance drew frustration from the Old Trafford crowd, who booed the players at half-time and at different intervals.
Mbeumo scores before Bentancur sees red
Carrick made a triple substitution around the hour mark, introducing Carlos Baleba for his Manchester United debut, alongside Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee.
Zirkzee immediately got involved, connecting with Bruno Fernandes’ chipped pass before his effort was deflected behind. Fernandes later tried his luck from distance, but United still lacked a decisive moment.
That finally arrived in the 73rd minute. Cunha did well inside the box to find Mbeumo, whose first touch created the space he needed before he turned and guided a superb finish across Kinsky into the far corner.
United then appeared to receive another major boost when Bentancur was dismissed. After a confrontation in which Shaw pushed the Tottenham midfielder following a high challenge, Bentancur headbutted the United defender. A brawl on the touchline followed, and the referee showed the Uruguayan a red card, while Shaw and Jan Paul van Hecke were booked.
With Tottenham down to 10 men, United had an opportunity to put the game beyond reach. Mbeumo came close to adding a second after running onto a long pass from Baleba, but Kinsky produced another important save.
Solanke Punishes United in Stoppage Time
United looked set to collect a much-needed win, but Tottenham refused to go quietly. In the second minute of stoppage time, a cross found Solanke, who held off Lisandro Martinez and glanced a header beyond Lammens to rescue a point.
The late concession will sting for United, but they didn’t do much to deserve the win either. They had the lead, an extra player advantage and a chance to steady their season, yet walked away with just one point.
Tottenham looked like the team capable of getting a win despite their numerical disadvantage. Such was the nature of a poor evening for United. Carrick now needs a response quickly, with questions over his future making the news.
Read our Manchester United player ratings for the game here.
Comments.
Loading comments…