Manchester United have six points from six Premier League games. That is the Man United worst start in 40 years. The last time the club began a league season this badly was autumn 1986. Ron Atkinson was in charge then, and Alex Ferguson soon took his job.

Saturday’s draw with Tottenham made it official. Let’s break down how it happened, why it keeps happening, and what comes next.

How the Spurs Draw Sealed It

Spurs arrived at Old Trafford bottom of the table and still looking for a first league win. Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead after 73 minutes. Soon after, Rodrigo Bentancur saw red for a headbutt on Luke Shaw.

United had the lead and an extra man. They still could not finish the job. In the second minute of stoppage time, Dominic Solanke beat Lisandro Martinez to head in Sandro Tonali’s cross.

The display was worse than the scoreline. United created just 0.05 expected goals in the first half and finished on 0.77. Carrick summed it up honestly: “With the ball, without the ball, we were off it.”

The Numbers Behind the Man United Worst Start in 40 Years

Here is the league run so far:

• Hull 2, Man United 0
• Man United 5, Ipswich 2
• Everton 2, Man United 2
• Man United 0, Man City 1
• Fulham 1, Man United 1
• Man United 1, Spurs 1

That is one win, three draws and two defeats. It is also the club’s worst start since the Premier League began in 1992.

In 1986/87, Atkinson’s side had four points after six games. He survived until 4 November. Ferguson arrived two days later.

Three Problems Carrick Must Fix

1. Late goals. Everton grabbed a late equaliser in September. Spurs scored in stoppage time on Saturday. Carrick admits those two moments have cost his side.

2. Failing against 10 men. City had Phil Foden sent off at Old Trafford and still won. Now Spurs have taken a point with 10 men. That is two home league games in a row.

3. Low intensity. United rank near the bottom of the league for distance covered per game. Critics also point to a midfield that does not control matches. When you run less than your opponent, you lose control of games, even when you lead.

Why This Slump Makes Little Sense

Here’s the thing. Last season, no team earned more points than United during Carrick’s 17 match spell. They finished third and qualified for the Champions League.

The squad is almost the same. So this is not a problem of new players settling in. It points to structure, energy and game management.

United fans have seen this kind of pressure build before. We covered a similar story in Ten Hag’s challenging season back in 2024.

What Comes Next for Carrick

The fixtures do not get easier. United visit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. Then they face Leeds, who have lost only once all season.

Seven games come before the next international break. Como, Roma, Chelsea and Aston Villa are among them. Ending the Man United worst start in 40 years will take more than a kind schedule.

Right now, United sit just three points above the relegation zone.

What Readers Should Take From This

Six games is a small sample. The table can change fast. But the patterns are clear, and they repeat.

Watch three things in the next few weeks. Can United protect a lead late in games? Can they punish a team with 10 men? Can they match the work rate of hungry opponents like Leeds?

If the answer stays no, the Man United worst start in 40 years will become more than a stat. It will become the story of Carrick’s season.