Carrick 'frustrated' by Man Utd's lack of 'spark' despite snatching late point at West Ham

London — Michael Carrick cut a conflicted figure on Saturday night after Manchester United clawed back a 1-1 draw at West Ham United through a stoppage-time equaliser, admitting the result left him “a little bit frustrated” despite the dramatic rescue act.

Speaking after the final whistle at the London Stadium, the interim United boss praised his side’s resilience but lamented a performance that lacked intensity for long stretches. “We got a point right at the end, which shows character, but for large parts we didn’t have the spark we needed,” Carrick said.

The visitors had toiled for 90 minutes before finding a breakthrough, and while the late goal preserved United’s unbeaten run under the temporary coach, Carrick suggested the display fell short of the standards required. “We wanted more, we expected more,” he added. “We have to find that spark quicker if we want to climb the table.”

The draw keeps United in the mix for European qualification, yet Carrick’s tone underlined a broader concern: a single moment of late drama may have papered over another uneven outing.