Michael Carrick was left “massively disappointed” by Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Old Trafford and admitted they need more points after managing six from their opening six league games.
This is United’s poorest start to the season since 1986, Saturday’s draw coming when conceding Dominic Solanke’s added-time equaliser for 10-man Spurs, following Rodrigo Bentancur’s 78th-minute red card. The midfielder was sent off five minutes after Bryan Mbeumo’s opener had left United heading for only a second league victory.
Carrick said: “I am massively disappointed with the result, for sure. A mixed performance. I’m not happy with the amount of points that we’ve had so far. There’s no hiding from that. I think it could have been different for a couple of little things here or there, but the reality is the reality, we’ve got to accept it, you know. We need to put things in a direction, in a positive direction quite quickly, that’s pretty plain.”
United were disjointed throughout. The manager was asked if he felt let down by the players. “I don’t feel let down, because you can make mistakes. You can make mistakes, things go against you,” said Carrick. “I’ve made mistakes in games, and it’s not so much letting everyone down. We’ve all got standards, we’ve all got levels, the players have got levels and standards, and they hold their hands up at times when something goes against them.”
United’s fans jeered at times during the game. “When things aren’t quite going to plan, I understand the reaction at times,” said the manager. “Obviously, it hurts a lot. It’s not nice to go through, but sometimes you have to go through it, that’s how it is.
“I care as much as anybody about this place, so sometimes you could say too much because then it overspills. But it’s coming from a good place, really, and so I understand it.”
Bentancur might have caused a serious injury had a scissors-challenge on Shaw connected. Roberto De Zerbi backed his midfielder, who was sent off for a head-butt in the resulting melee.
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“I kiss Rodrigo and say thanks,” said the Spurs manager. “It is clear it is a mistake from Rodrigo, it is not the right reaction in football but in that moment maybe with 10 players we played with more courage, more energy and for a long time Tottenham played without this blood this character. I am the coach and I want to see this character every game.”
While Spurs have only three points and remain winless, they are now off the bottom though remain in the relegation zone. “Today has been the game where for the first time this season we showed we are a team, we played for the teammates, we played together,” said De Zerbi.
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