Manchester United Make Worst League Start in 40 Years After Late Spurs Equaliser
United have collected just six points from six league games after conceding against ten-man Tottenham.
Manchester United have made their worst start to a league season in 40 years after a stoppage-time Tottenham equaliser left them with just six points from their opening six matches.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford means Michael Carrick’s side have won only once in the Premier League this season. Their points total at this stage is their lowest since the 1986/87 campaign, when United collected four from six games.
United surrender lead against ten-man Tottenham
Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead in the 73rd minute, leaving the hosts on course for a much-needed second league victory.
Their position appeared stronger five minutes later when Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for headbutting Luke Shaw. Tottenham had to chase an equaliser with ten men, while United had both the lead and the numerical advantage.
But Dominic Solanke scored in the second minute of stoppage time to secure a point for Spurs and leave United with another opportunity missed.
The result left United 12th at the end of Saturday’s match, just three points above the relegation zone. Five of their first six league fixtures have now ended without a win.
The historical comparison reaches back beyond the Premier League era. United’s previous worse six-game start came under Ron Atkinson, in the season when Alex Ferguson replaced him as manager in November 1986.
Carrick acknowledges United’s poor points return
Carrick accepted afterwards that United’s results had fallen short.
“I’m not happy with the amount of points that we’ve had so far,” he said. “There’s no hiding from that.”
Supporters booed during the first half, at half-time and again after the final whistle. Carrick acknowledged that their reaction hurt, but said he understood the frustration when performances were not going to plan.
He also called for United to become more resilient when protecting promising positions, with Saturday’s late concession exposing that problem again.
United next travel to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League before returning to Premier League action away at Leeds. Their next league fixture offers a chance to improve a points return that has already taken them back four decades.
