Solanke's injury-time header denies 10-man United a first win in five Premier League games

Dominic Solanke’s injury-time header rescued a 1-1 draw for Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday, denying Manchester United what would have been only their second Premier League win of the season and deepening what is already the club’s worst start to a league campaign in 40 years.

Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead with a well-taken finish, and Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card handed the hosts a numerical advantage — yet Ruben Amorim’s side still could not hold on. Solanke stooped to glance in a header from Sandro Tonali’s cross in stoppage time, with Lisandro Martinez adjudged to have been pulling the striker rather than contesting the ball. It was Tonali’s first assist since his £100m move from Newcastle.

The result continued a pattern that has become a defining feature of United’s season. As against Everton and Brighton, a lead was surrendered, and with it any sense of momentum. Boos rang around Old Trafford at the final whistle, and United remain the only club in the Premier League yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

For Tottenham, the point carried a different complexion. Roberto De Zerbi’s side were dominant for the opening half-hour and fashioned enough chances to have been three goals ahead before conceding to Mbeumo — a player they attempted to sign last summer, who now has three goals in as many games against them. The equaliser, coming after Bentancur’s dismissal, showed a resilience that has been absent in previous weeks.

Still, questions remain about Spurs’ cutting edge. Three league goals in total before Sunday’s game underlined a lack of ruthlessness that De Zerbi will need to address if his side is to climb the table. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens had also been forced into a fine second-minute save from Solanke to prevent an early deficit, following his own poor pass.

Jan Paul van Hecke, the summer signing who was at fault against Aston Villa three weeks ago, was again caught out for Mbeumo’s goal, failing to get tight enough to the Cameroonian winger. The Belgian’s adaptation to Premier League football remains a work in progress.

For United, the more pressing concern is structural. A team given a lead, given a man advantage, and playing at home against an opponent without a win all season — and still unable to close out the result — points to problems that go beyond individual errors or bad luck.