MANCHESTER, England -- The Manchester United fans who turned up at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City's expense left disappointed. They've got too many of their own problems for that.
The chants of "You cheating bastards, you know what you are" were loud before kickoff against Tottenham Hotspur. And when United overcame a largely nervous, disjointed performance to take the lead through Bryan Mbeumo midway through the second half, the home fans allowed themselves a dig at Spurs with a chant of "You're going down with the City."
But by the time referee Stuart Attwell blew the final whistle, United fans had long forgotten the scandal that has engulfed their neighbors. As they streamed out of the stadium, they were preoccupied with how and why Tottenham -- down to 10 men after Rodrigo Bentancur's red card for head-butting Luke Shaw -- had managed to score a 92nd-minute equalizer to pick up a 1-1 draw.
Michael Carrick was at a loss, too.
"Massively disappointed with the result for sure," he said afterward. "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."
The spotlight will inevitably focus on Carrick after a result that condemns United to their worst start to a season after six games since 1986. He's not the type to throw his players under the bus -- he chose not to again in his post-match news conference -- but he's got every right to expect more.
Dominic Solanke's header is the third time already this season that United have conceded in stoppage time. Two of those -- against Everton and Spurs -- have cost 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," said Carrick. "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."
It's a worry that United can't do it, and points to a fragile mentality and an inability to deal with pressure when it matters most.
Lisandro MartÃnez will not want to see the goal again. Quite what he was doing when Sandro Tonali's cross was floated toward Solanke, only he will know.
Perhaps rather than dancing around the Spurs striker, he should have tried to head the ball clear. Senne Lammens could also have done better.
Solanke's goal means Spurs join City in finding the net at Old Trafford this season after having a man 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," said Carrick. "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."
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.
There were boos at Old Trafford after just 20 minutes as Spurs -- who started the day bottom of the table -- began brightly. The damning guilty verdict in City's case with the Premier League took the focus off United during the international break, but it didn't take long for the frustration to flood back as Carrick's team were out-played for large parts of the first half.
It was only when £70 million summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, Carlos Baleba, was introduced for the first time just before the hour mark that the energy and intent began to change.
On another day, the story of the day would have been about his cameo providing much-needed hope for the weeks and months ahead. It was a positive debut, but it was overshadowed by United's inability to get over the line in a game they should have won.
It doesn't get any easier.
United travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday before heading to Leeds United next weekend. After that, it's another tough European assignment at Como.
After another late equalizer, Carrick insists his biggest issue is that United have been on the wrong side of fine margins so far this season. He needs that to change quickly if they're going to start heading in the right direction.
