Manchester United lost 4-3 to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, with goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and Rasmus Hojlund enduring disastrous performances.
Manchester United‘s Carabao Cup campaign ended in disaster on Wednesday night as they were knocked out in a chaotic 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The match, which saw a series of mistakes and moments of individual brilliance, has left many United fans questioning the performances of key players, particularly goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and striker Rasmus Hojlund.
From the start, it was clear that United were up against it. Tottenham came out all guns blazing and raced into a three-goal lead, thanks to two clinical strikes from Dominic Solanke and a well-taken goal from Dejan Kulusevski. United struggled to contain Spurs, with their defence looking disorganised and vulnerable. Solanke’s brace was particularly concerning, as the striker was allowed too much space in the penalty area on both occasions.
However, Spurs goalkeeper Fraser Forster handed United a lifeline. His woeful distribution gifted United a chance to claw back into the game, and they did so through goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo, both taking advantage of Forster’s errors. The visitors looked revitalised and started to show signs of the fight that had been lacking in the opening stages.
But just as United seemed to be finding their footing, disaster struck at the other end. Bayindir, who had been shaky throughout, made a catastrophic mistake, conceding a direct corner from Son Heung-min. The ball sailed into the net, leaving Bayindir with his head in his hands. It was a moment that would haunt the goalkeeper, whose performance ultimately cost United dearly.
Despite this setback, United fought back once more. Jonny Evans, who had come on as a substitute, managed to half the deficit with a well-timed header, giving United hope that a comeback could still be on the cards. The visitors pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but Tottenham’s defence held firm and United’s efforts came up short.
The match ended 4-3, with Tottenham advancing to the semi-finals, while Manchester United were left to lick their wounds. The loss highlighted several concerns for Erik Ten Hag, particularly in goal and upfront. Bayindir’s blunder compounded what had already been a shaky performance, and Hojlund, who was bullied throughout the night by Spurs’ defenders, failed to make an impact.
While United showed moments of resilience, their inability to close the gap after conceding the fourth goal reflected their ongoing struggles. The defeat will raise questions about the club’s depth and their ability to cope with high-pressure situations. The Carabao Cup exit will also add to United’s growing list of frustrations this season, as they continue to battle for consistency in both domestic and European competitions.
