"We couldn't find a way to get ourselves into the game. With the ball, without the ball, we were off it." A fair assessment from Michael Carrick, if not a wholly explanatory one.
Stuck in the mire of Manchester United's worst start to a league season for 40 years, the manager appeared lost for legitimate reasons. His margin for error is shrinking by the week.
Why were his side outplayed at home by the Premier League's bottom club? Why can't they hold onto leads? Why do they seem incapable of playing against 10 men?
All of these are fair questions to put to the man himself and many were asked of Carrick in the wake of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Spurs. None were answered with enough detail to satisfy, though, only really serving to hold a mirror up to what was delivered on the pitch: inadequacy.
Clearly the manager can only accept so much of the blame. His players are yet to offer a single complete performance, only bit-part displays of individualism and self-direction. Where is the cohesiveness that shaped the backend of last year? What happened to the clarity that turned a broken season into a third-place finish?
Fans who turn up to Old Trafford every week are back to being unsure. They do not know what to expect from one game to the next, only how to voice their dissatisfaction at what transpires. Three separate choruses of boos could be heard on Saturday.
"I think the fans will stay with the project," reflected Gary Neville from Old Trafford. "I don't think the boos are against Michael Carrick for one minute. But what I would say is, they're turning quite quickly."
When United needed a calm voice to steer the ship at the beginning of this year, they turned to a man whose entire playing career was built on it. That version of Manchester United feels far removed from the side that have begun this season, though.
In midfield is where the problems are most evident. And yet, that is the department that received the biggest injection of cash this summer, a complete overhaul in terms of personnel and profiles. The Kobbie Mainoo-Youri Tielemans axis is not working. Andrey Santos is barely getting a look in.
Hopes that Carlos Baleba can hit the ground running after an injury-hit start were audible; his introduction after an hour lifted the whole stadium. Almost every touch was positive and he took care of the ball, completing 16 of 18 passes and creating as many chances as Bruno Fernandes managed all game (2).
Still, the space and freedom with which Spurs operated presents issues that cannot be solved by one midfielder. United were carved open time after time, gaps appearing in a myriad of ways. The visitors were able to win possession in the final third five times in the first half alone. Five of United's starters did not go away for international duty over the break.
And it was not just the aggressiveness of Spurs' press that was effective. They picked holes in United with the ball, too, using slick one-touch combinations to move through the thirds with pace and purpose. Savio attempted 10 dribbles. He only completed half but the recurrence was evidence of his belief that United could be got at. He was right.
Then there are concerns over the mentality of a side who repeatedly fail to beat 10 men. Yet again, United were outrun and outpaced - this time by a team who played with a man less for 21 minutes, including stoppage time.
"If we're ahead in the game, we have to see it out," says Carrick. That much is obvious. What is less clear is how some of these patterns of missteps are going to be addressed.
"Football is character," concluded opposition boss Roberto De Zerbi. United must find some character from somewhere, or risk being eaten up by the competition. If the last few weeks have taught us anything, it's that the Premier League is in no mood to be handing out sympathy.
Man Utd's next five fixtures
Four of Man Utd's next five games are away from home, including their next three.
Oct 13: Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd, Champions League
Oct 18: Leeds vs Man Utd, Premier League, live on Sky Sports
Oct 21: Como vs Man Utd, Champions League
Oct 25: Man Utd vs Bournemouth, Premier League, live on Sky Sports
Oct 31: Chelsea vs Man Utd, Premier League, live on Sky Sports
Fumadlmntu
0
coach is the main problem. they forgotten how to win matches
hiaaiprtz
0
There's no life in the squad n moreover v brought in dead logs. This season Harry Maguire is weak. Heaven sud do a better job. Carrick is running out of ideas n his time is limited. Take some advice from Sir Alex.
ad what about #6 of Man united for you is good defender
rabademnrz
1
Keeping Carrick means relegation. There is no way a single lesson is never learned from the previous games. I will be getting the results of their games through update.
Fiobcdiopy
0
There's no life in the squad n moreover v brought in dead logs. This season Harry Maguire is weak. Heaven sud do a better job. Carrick is running out of ideas n his time is limited. Take some advice from Sir Alex.
Yocacdktyz
0
Happy that United nearly lost from TOT
vapaelorsz
0
Amorin was building a team, with mentality and character... the board tried to control his building process. see what we have returned to. many players who would have come Manchester United refused because they are not seeing the project as a good one. I will always say Amorin was our savior we chased him away
jetcekmnop
1
Bruno should be benched. Physically shows energyless.lots of dirty expression.
Fobbemnory
0
Man City blocked them from winning against 10 men Spurs
Turtu
0
Pastor Jerry’s prayer conference at Old Trafford has cleansed Man United”
sauaekltu
0
some team can't win EPL matches and then win title but they are dreaming of winning title through 115 charges. Dreamers team
Supdimsz
0
From bad to worst Unitood
Suabcinpsz
0
Your time has come...
lubbelmpsy
1
What happened to Carrick and his team? They seemed invisible towards the end of last season. But look how poor they are now. Was his success a product of what Amorin was trying to build or what? Or was it a new manager bounce? I think the earlier the management begin to look around for a new manager, the better. In case this slump and poor display continues. Though it is obvious that several of the ManU players are just average.
OluwasegunManU
1
Sack Carrick now before Man Utd enter into a relegation battle. There is no improvement at all, I can't see the coach tactics or style of play (if he has any). The problem I always have with Man Utd post Ferguson era is the lack of pattern and the inability to conjure 5/10 passes from your defensive area to the attacking area consistently. They barely had that bit of pattern during the Mourinho era, but after that, Man Utd rarely have 2/3 good games in a row. So, let Carrick go and bring another coach, at this point, I don't care who replace him. Because it's not a 'coach' problem, Man Utd doesn't want to spend time and money rebuilding the team with a tactically sound coach.
cababdkotu
0
Manager was never the problem but the players in manutd. Bring in new manager they will player for a while the without any explanation the start fumbling again.
Zidane103
0
"If Carrick started the season, we would've won the league." How is it going this season?
Tobbclnpry
0
bye bye Christmas
Heikal_Mahsir
0
The end us near oh my
I mean is. Typo
Heikal_Mahsir
0
The end us near oh my
graceful24/7
0
Carrick played Man United fans ojoro last season by making them to qualify for champion league just to be coach, this season he's preparing them for relegation. so help Carrick!
Everblessed10
2
The players looked lazy and clueless and something needs to change