Solanke Header Rescues 10-Man Spurs Draw at Man Utd

Manchester United dropped more points at Old Trafford after Dominic Solanke’s stoppage-time header earned 10-man Tottenham a 1-1 draw, leaving Michael Carrick’s side with only six points from six Premier League matches.

Bryan Mbeumo had put United ahead in the 73rd minute and the home side appeared set to see out a much-needed win when Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off shortly afterwards for an incident involving Luke Shaw. Instead, Spurs found a late response. Solanke, captaining the visitors for the first time, met Sandro Tonali’s cross in the second minute of added time to rescue a point.

Carrick accepted the anger from the stands after another damaging finish. He said the criticism hurt because of his attachment to the club, but added that supporters had every right to be frustrated and that United must start winning again.

United struggled to establish themselves early on as Tottenham controlled the tempo. Carrick described it as an uneven performance, admitting his players had been off the pace in the opening stages before improving markedly after the interval.

The manager felt his team had put themselves in a position from which they had to win. United were sharper in the second half, took the lead and had the extra man, but again failed to manage the decisive moments. Carrick pointed to two costly late goals across recent games and said those incidents had dramatically changed the picture around his side.

Old Trafford pressure intensifies

United have now gone without a win in five of their first six league fixtures, drawing three and losing two. That is already as many winless matches as they recorded in 17 Premier League games under Carrick last season.

The six-point return is United’s worst after six games of a league campaign since 1986-87, when they had four points at the same stage. They have also now failed to win their last two league matches despite facing opponents reduced to 10 players, following the 1-0 derby defeat to Manchester City.

Carrick rejected the idea that a lack of belief is behind the latest collapse. He said matches can swing quickly, and stressed that United had fought their way back into control against Spurs before throwing away their advantage.

The draw also extended an unwanted Old Trafford pattern. United have finished 1-1 in each of their past three Premier League meetings with sides who began the day bottom of the table, after draws against Wolves in December 2025 and Fulham last month.

Tottenham’s point lifted them off the foot of the standings, although Roberto De Zerbi remains without a league victory after six matches in charge. It is only the fourth time Spurs have failed to win any of their opening six league fixtures, following 2008-09, 1955-56 and 1912-13.

United now face an urgent task: Carrick must rebuild a side that can create a winning position but is still unable to protect it when the pressure rises.