Manchester United have recorded their worst start to a league season in 40 years, with just six points from their opening six Premier League matches raising fresh questions about Michael Carrick’s progress as head coach. Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford extended United’s winless run to four league games and left them with little to show for a campaign that began with expectations of building on last season’s improvement.

United have managed only one win in six matches, collecting six points from a possible 18. The last time the club had a worse return at this stage was in the 1986-87 season, when Ron Atkinson’s side accumulated four points from their first six league fixtures.

The comparison carries an uncomfortable historical reminder. Atkinson was dismissed in November 1986, with Alex Ferguson taking charge shortly afterwards. Ferguson would go on to transform the club over the following decades, although his own early years at Old Trafford were far from straightforward.

From last season’s promise to another difficult start

Carrick had given United supporters reason for optimism after a strong spell during his 17-match audition in the second half of last season. The team recorded the Premier League’s best points return during that period, raising hopes that the former midfielder could provide the consistency that had eluded the club since Ferguson’s departure.

That progress has been difficult to sustain. Despite retaining much of the same playing personnel, United have struggled to reproduce the performances that helped restore confidence last season.

Their latest draw against Tottenham followed a 2-2 stalemate with Everton, a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City and a 1-1 draw against Fulham. The sequence has left Carrick’s side with only one victory from six league matches and increased scrutiny of their ability to turn competitive situations into results.

Carrick has pointed to fine margins in previous setbacks, including late goals conceded against Everton and Tottenham. However, the growing concern is that the problems extend beyond isolated incidents. United have struggled to dominate matches, create consistent attacking pressure and protect advantages when opponents push for an equaliser.

Against Tottenham, Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead in the 73rd minute before Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off. The hosts were left with a numerical advantage and appeared well placed to secure three points, only for Dominic Solanke to equalise in stoppage time.

The result was another missed opportunity to arrest their poor league form.

Defensive concerns undermine United’s progress

United’s defensive structure has emerged as a significant concern during their difficult opening stretch. The back four that finished the Tottenham match – Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw – was the same combination that started the club’s opening-day defeat to Brighton four years ago.

The personnel may have individual strengths, but the continued reliance on the same defensive unit has raised questions about whether enough has been done to address longstanding weaknesses.

United’s starting XI this season is among the oldest in the Premier League, while the four defenders who finished against Tottenham have a combined age of 119. Their struggles have contributed to a recurring pattern of conceding at crucial moments, leaving the team unable to convert promising positions into victories.

The late equaliser against Tottenham underlined those concerns. With the visitors reduced to 10 men, United were unable to manage the closing stages and allowed Solanke to find the net in the 92nd minute.

It was also the second successive home match in which United failed to beat a team playing with 10 men, intensifying the scrutiny of their game management.

Carrick faces a crucial period

United’s poor start does not automatically settle the question of Carrick’s long-term future, but it has made the need for improvement increasingly urgent. The contrast between last season’s encouraging run and the current campaign has left the club searching for answers, particularly with little change to the core of the squad.

The schedule offers limited room for recovery. United face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Leeds United in their upcoming fixtures, with a demanding run of matches to follow before the next international break.

Their opponents are likely to test both their defensive organisation and their intensity without the ball. United have been criticised for their work rate and lack of sustained control, while their recent performances have done little to suggest that the international break resolved those issues.

There have been some encouraging individual contributions, including Mbeumo’s attacking energy against Tottenham and Carlos Baleba’s impact off the bench. Yet isolated positives have not translated into the collective consistency required to climb the table.

The immediate priority for Carrick is to stop the slide and demonstrate that the improvement seen last season can still provide a foundation for progress. With six points from six matches, United have already reached a 40-year low. Their next challenge is to ensure that a difficult start does not become another season defined by instability and unmet expectations.