Manchester United: Another failure to beat 10 men increases pressure on boss Carrick

“I’m not happy with the number of points we have so far, of course you know,” Carrick said.

“I’m not hiding, there’s no hiding. I think it could have been different for a few little things here or there, but reality is reality, we have to accept it, you know. We have to get things in a direction, in a positive direction pretty quickly, that’s pretty clear.”

The “little things” Carrick speaks of are the defending of Solanke’s goal, the lack of pressure put on Everton’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles when he equalized in injury time at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 6, and Martinez’s avoidable goal which almost gave Fulham victory at Craven Cottage just before the international break.

“We have to be a little wiser at times, a little more stubborn and a little stronger to see certain things,” he added.

“It doesn’t change my beliefs or the confidence in the players, you know. We’re a very good team and capable of being a very good team, but obviously we need to start scoring more points, that’s for sure.”

The problem is that with each disappointment, the belief that United are “a very good team” begins to fade.

Once again, the post-match focus was on the amount of running Carrick’s team ran, although running for fun proved of little benefit.

“The stats don’t lie when every time the other team runs more than you,” said Sky Sports pundit and former Spurs captain Jamie Redknapp.

“Tottenham ran 5km more than Man United. OK, they had 10 men but that’s the case every game. If you outrun your opponent you’ll win games. I’m not saying they don’t try. It’s that physical battle they’re losing though.”