Carrick frustrated as Tottenham snatch late draw at Manchester United

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said he was left with “mixed feelings” after Dominic Solanke’s stoppage-time equaliser secured Tottenham Hotspur a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

United appeared to be heading for victory after Bryan Mbeumo put them ahead in the 73rd minute. However, Solanke struck late to level the match, despite Tottenham having been reduced to 10 men following Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card.

“We have mixed feelings. It’s not easy when you start a game like we did,” Carrick told the club website.

United struggled during the opening stages and went into half-time without finding their rhythm. Carrick said the team improved towards the interval before producing a significantly better performance after the break.

“We found the first half tough, particularly the opening period. It just wasn’t quite there for us,” he said. “Towards the end of the first half, we started to get into the game, and then we came out in the second half and were much, much better.”

The manager credited his players for responding to their poor start and eventually creating the opportunity to take the lead, but felt they should have finished the game more effectively.

“In so many different ways, there were things we needed to improve and, to be fair, as the game went on, we did,” Carrick added. “We showed that spirit, belief and fight to keep going and put ourselves 1-0 up.

“It was a game we should kill off, but we didn’t find a way to do that.”

The draw leaves Manchester United 12th in the table and extends their winless run in the league to four matches. Tottenham Hotspur move temporarily from the bottom of the table to 18th, although they are still without a win this season.

Carrick said United’s failure to protect their advantage was particularly disappointing given their position in the closing stages.

“We couldn’t quite see it out,” he said. “To have the game in such a good position, you have to see the game out. I’m disappointed to concede like that.

“No goal is a good goal to concede, and it’s another late goal that we’ve managed to concede.”

Manchester United will now turn their attention to Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid.