Michael Carrick has dismissed suggestions that Manchester United's slow start in their draw with Tottenham was caused by a lack of confidence, after the Red Devils surrendered a 1-0 lead at Old Trafford. The match ended all square, with accusations that Carrick's team are devoid of self-belief.
The United boss heard boos at both half-time and full-time as his team continued their disappointing start to the season. The club collected their sixth Premier League point of the campaign as they failed to hold on against their 10-man opponents, their lowest tally after four matches for 40 years.
Redknapp's damning verdict
With the hosts leading 1-0, Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off after headbutting Luke Shaw, yet United could not see out the victory as Dominic Solanke struck a late equaliser. That prompted fierce criticism after the match.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp delivered a scathing assessment of the Premier League's 12th-placed side, criticising the team's organisation. He added that the lack of confidence is an issue that Carrick does not have the squad to resolve, given the results expected of the club.
"Brighton in the Carabao Cup, 2-0 up and lose 3-2, that is unprecedented and does not happen at Old Trafford, except it does with this team," Redknapp said. "I do not see enough connections in that midfield and they look devoid of any confidence, ideas, or patterns of play, playing out the back and Tottenham were just much better than them in every department, but that is just a theme this season.
"Their energy levels are not good enough and they look loose going forward, there was no real structure. The squad is not good or strong enough and Michael [Carrick] needs help in that respect."
Carrick's response
While Carrick was frustrated with the result, he did not believe confidence caused United to start the game slowly. "I don't think it is lack of confidence," he said after the match. "But a game can get away from you very quickly. We found a way right back into the game, and got ourselves in a great position - that is one of the most disappointing things."
When questioned about the boos directed at his team, he said: "It's not nice, it hurts a lot because I care about this club. But I understand the disappointment. The reality is what it is; we need to get back to winning games."
