Manchester United's miserable start to the Premier League season continued on Saturday as a late Tottenham Hotspur equaliser denied them what would have been a crucial three points — a result that has only intensified the scrutiny on manager Michael Carrick.
For the second consecutive home league game, United failed to overcome opponents reduced to 10 men. Rodrigo Bentancur's red card, awarded just five minutes after Bryan Mbeumo's opener, appeared to hand the hosts an ideal platform — yet Spurs struck in injury time through Dominic Solanke to earn a share of the spoils.
The goal exposed a significant defensive lapse. Centre-back Lisandro Martinez was outmuscled by Solanke before goalkeeper Senne Lammens misjudged the striker's delicate touch, allowing the ball to creep into the far corner. The expressions on United faces at the final whistle said everything.
A damning set of numbers
The statistics make for grim reading at Old Trafford. United have collected just six points from their opening six Premier League fixtures — their lowest return at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1986-87, when Sir Alex Ferguson's side could manage only four. They have already failed to win five of those six games, matching their loss-and-draw tally from 17 league matches across the whole of last season.
Perhaps more alarming, United have taken only two points from their last two league games — both against sides who started those matches at the foot of the Premier League table. They currently sit closer to the relegation zone than to the Champions League places.
The road ahead does not offer much immediate relief. A trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Sunday, 18 October, is sandwiched between demanding Champions League away fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Como.
Carrick stays calm — but the boos grow louder
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, called it
