Solanke's stoppage-time goal and the 40-year low it confirmed
Manchester United 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur, and Dominic Solanke scored in stoppage time to take two points off them (1). United led. Tottenham were down to 10 men (10). They still could not hold on, and the draw confirms United's worst start to a league season in 40 years: 12th, six points from six games, 0 goal difference (3). That is the week. Everything else follows from it.
The midfield is the problem, and everyone can see it
Gary Neville has had enough of the Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo pairing. "I think we've seen enough of it now. That's not a midfield that's dynamic enough to play at United in the PL," he said (20) (27). Jamie Redknapp went further: "I do not see enough connections in that midfield and they look devoid of any confidence, ideas, or patterns of play" (1). Henry Winter wants Tielemans benched outright and blames a shambolic summer window (23) (29). The one bright spot was Carlos Baleba's debut off the bench (12) (2). Quinton Fortune wants to see him "in full flow" (15). If Carrick reads the room, Baleba starts at the Metropolitano.
Carrick survives, for now
United decided not to sack Michael Carrick after the Tottenham draw (4) (5). Read that sentence again. That is the standard the club is operating at. Reports claim INEOS have already opened formal dialogue about a successor, with Julian Nagelsmann the preferred target, and that Carrick "needs a miracle" to survive (11) (16) (30). The hierarchy has one eye on the exit door while the manager works the week. The boos at Old Trafford, per Neville, are not aimed at Carrick yet, but "they're turning quite quickly" (5 fan post). A heavy defeat in Madrid accelerates all of it.
What to watch: Atlético away, then Leeds
Tuesday's Champions League trip to Atlético Madrid comes first, and it is the fixture that decides how bad this week gets (NEXT MATCH, Oct 13). Senne Lammens is right that United travel determined to get the "sour" taste out of their mouths (2) (4). Lammens himself is under the microscope, with Gary Neville watching his confidence closely (19) (21). Then Leeds away on October 18 in the league (UPCOMING FIXTURES). Two road games, two chances to stop the slide. The injuries and the midfield shape are the things to watch, not the mood.
