Michael Carrick has nowhere to hide as Man Utd fans turn in draw with 10-man Tottenham

· Mirror

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 TOTTENHAM: Pressure is mounting on Michael Carrick as his side were outclassed and denied all three points by a Dominic Solanke header in stoppage time

Tottenham secured a much deserved point as Dominic Solanke scored in stoppage time to deny a Manchester United team who had been outclassed in front of a frustrated Old Trafford.

It was a shock when Bryan Mbeumo scored on 70 minutes to put the hosts ahead after the home fans had jeered throughout such was the level of Tottenham dominance.

They looked poised for three points, even more so when Rodrigo Bentancur was sent-off, but Solanke was on hand to head home with 92 minutes on the clock, leaving the north Londoners with something to show for their efforts, although their performance deserved all three points.

In the opening exchanges Tottenham looked like the team that they dreamed they would be under Roberto De Zerbi, dominanting the ball and the territory, albeit aided in part by United themselves.

The hosts seemed to be on a mission of self harm such was their desire to play out in and around their own box, which saw Solanke gifted with a one-on-one chance, only to fluff his lines. Senne Lammens needed quick feet shortly after as he was again under pressure.

The Old Trafford crowd, clearly not prepared to be subjected to another abject display, begun jeering as Tottenham came forward in waves. Those boos peaked when Lammens booted a clearance straight out of play.

United did steady the ship as the game went on, but it was a shock that it was a goalless contest come half-time. The home supporters still ensured the Red Devils stars walked off to a chorus of boos.

Tottenham's onslaught continued with Savio racing to the byline, only for his cutback to somehow get cleared. Solanke missed his second chance minutes later, firing over to leave De Zerbi feeling like he should almost laugh otherwise he'd cry.

That feeling was only emphasised when Mbeumo converted in front of the Stretford End. The Tottenham boss saw his team finish with ten men as his midfielder was dismissed for a clash with Luke Shaw, but they would get the last laugh as Solanke headed home in stoppage time.

OLD TRAFFORD TURNS AS CRACKS EXPOSED

They're renowned for the patience. If this were any other club the amount of toxic games over the past decade would be through the roof, but every fanbase has their breaking point.

It takes a lot to boo one of their own, you can see that by how long they stood by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But Carrick tasted the Old Trafford jeers after they squandered a 2-0 lead to lose against Brighton in the Carabao Cup only weeks ago.

During their shocking first-half showing against Tottenham the boos came as Tottenham continued to dominate, and they reached boiling point midway through the opening 45. United did rally and improve as the half went on, but this simply isn't good enough and the supporters are now willing to let the players and the boss know.

Against any other team this game would've been done on the hour. That is something United and Carrick cannot escape as their direction of travel seems to be, front their perspective, heading in the wrong direction, and for good measure the home side were booed at full-time.

WHERE'S THE MONEY GONE?

For so long former players and pundits would cast their eye over United's squad and wonder just where the tens of millions actually went. Its no secret how much money they've spent in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson, desperately trying to find that level once again.

But their investment has often not been reflected in the squad, owing to overpaying for players or struggling with a direction with their recruitment. Last summer the money spent on the attack seemed to look smart business, which was a rarity for United.

And yet 12 months on and that feeling is back again. Over £150million was spent on their midfield options - Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba all arriving.

There's been some injury issues, but Tielemans isn't looking like he has in recent years and Santos is struggling for minutes. Their engine room was constantly over run, and after a matter of games we're already questioning those transfer decisions.

PRETTY FOOTBALL DOESN'T WIN GAMES

Probably something of a backhanded compliment but watching Tottenham in that opening 20 minutes was similar to watching Manchester City during Pep Guardiola's first season when they were purring.

Throughout that season City quickly adopted the principles that had made Guardiola such a success elsewhere in Europe. They were in charge of the ball, they won it back quickly, their attacks seemed to be relentless, they seemed like it was a case of when, not if, they would score.

But Guardiola himself would bemoan their inability to turn their dominance into goals. It was scoring the goals that turned them into a machine. Tottenham did everything but score. That perhaps sums it up. You can coach a team up until the final bit of the game, but converting chances requires a killer instinct Tottenham are struggling with, although this was a display they can be proud of.

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