Dominic Solanke rescued a 1-1 draw for ten-man Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday, adding pressure on Manchester United manager Michael Carrick. His header in stoppage time lifted Spurs off the foot of the Premier League table, after it appeared they would pay heavily for missing chances in a dominant display.
Bryan Mbeumo had put United in front 17 minutes from time, against the run of play. Rodrigo Bentancur was then shown a straight red card, leaving Tottenham with ten men. United failed to make the numerical advantage count, a pattern that has repeated this season. Manchester City had also beaten United 1-0 at Old Trafford last month despite playing more than an hour with ten men.
Tottenham dominate but struggle to finish
Tottenham had spent three weeks during the international break fretting about dropping to the bottom of the table. Their start has been poor following a 300-million-pound ($397m) rebuild in the transfer window. Roberto De Zerbi’s side needed until the closing stages of their fifth league game to score, and their much-improved performance was undermined by a familiar lack of cutting edge.
Before kickoff, United supporters chanted against local rivals City, who have been found guilty of more than 100 charges of breaking Premier League financial rules. The home fans soon had their own problems, however, as Spurs pinned United back in their own half. Solanke should have opened the scoring, firing too close to goalkeeper Senne Lammens, while Mohammed Kudus blasted wide from a flowing move.
Chances kept coming for the visitors after the break, to the frustration of a visibly animated De Zerbi. Solanke spooned over and Destiny Udogie curled wide, and the game appeared to drift away from Spurs.
Carrick’s substitutions and Bentancur’s dismissal
Carrick changed the game with three substitutions on the hour. Carlos Baleba added energy to United’s midfield on his first appearance since his 70-million-pound ($92.6m) move from Brighton. Joshua Zirkzee’s introduction allowed Matheus Cunha to drop into a deeper role.
United had barely threatened Antonin Kinsky’s goal until Mbeumo was given too much room to spin onto Cunha’s pass and fire into the far corner. Bentancur was then sent off for a headbutt on Luke Shaw, following an angry confrontation between the pair.
Both sides remain near the relegation zone
Solanke ended Tottenham’s wait for an away goal, which had lasted since May, when he outmuscled Lisandro Martinez to glance in Tonali’s cross. The point lifts Spurs to 18th, and only the goals they have scored keep them out of the relegation zone.
United, who have taken just six points from their opening six league games, are three points better off in 12th. Both clubs will be concerned by their struggles, with neither side able to turn dominance into a comfortable position.
