Manchester United have finally won at Old Trafford since 24th September when they last won against Leicester City. This was a much-needed win for them and against a good Tottenham Hotspur website. Tottenham had a relatively strong second half after a meek first-half showing, but it was for nothing as United’s defence led by Phil Jones saw it out, much to Jose Mourinho’s relief.
The win would give United a lot of confidence and the players’ post-match celebrations signalled relief and jubilation. Henrikh Mkhitaryan put in a Man of the Match performance yet again and was the match winner, but was stretched off late in the game after a tackle from Danny Rose.
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It is imperative now for United to build on this and for Spurs to bounce back from this with the games coming thick and fast.
Manchester United
David de Gea – 7.5/10
The United goalkeeper didn't have much to do for the majority of the game but made good saves when called upon. Both his notable saves coming from Christian Eriksen free-kicks which he got down well and palmed away from goal.
Antonio Valencia – 7/10
Valencia had a mixed first half which saw him earn a yellow for a rash challenge but grew into his defensive role as the match went on. He kept the threat of Son and Rose combo on the Spurs left in check and made some promising forward runs. He was at fault for not tracking Wanyama at all on a Tottenham free-kick which would’ve cost United.
Phil Jones – 8.5/10
If someone owed United fans a performance, it was Phil Jones and he delivered. He led the line well as he has done in the past few games and came out of challenges with ease. His late tackle inside the box on Danny Rose was a classic example of how to defend, something his teammates can learn.
Marcus Rojo – 8/10
Marcus Rojo is certainly going to lose his place to Eric Bailly as per pundits, but he certainly has been taking his chances of late. He kept Harry Kane in check and despite holding a height disadvantage, he won most of his aerial duels and kept the late crosses from Moussa Sissoko away from goal.
Matteo Darmian – 5/10
He would’ve earned a better rating if not for his absolutely horrific second half. He is not a natural left-back and it showed. Anthony Martial’s unwillingness to track back made his task of defending all the more difficult but he was culpable of being out of position too often. Sissoko made some excellent runs after he came on and troubled Darmian. The Italian needs to buck up if he wishes to stay in the team.
Michael Carrick – 7/10
The experienced midfielder is essential for Manchester United and they surely need a replacement for him soon. He makes the midfield tick and it seems like the midfield trio of Pogba-Herrera-Carrick is United’s best midfield combination. He kept United ticking and helped the defenders get out of sticky positions and was an added presence in the box while defending late on.
Ander Herrera – 7/10
With every match, Ander Herrera seems to be growing in his role. His energy was required to bridge the gap between Pogba’s nonchalant play style and Carrick’s ageing legs. He did that perfectly and handled the threat of Wanyama and Dembele quite well.
Paul Pogba – 7.5/10
This was Paul Pogba’s best all round game where he was seen defending and tracking back more than just taking men on in the attacking half. He used his skill and strength to his advantage against the bulky Wanyama and Dembele’s exquisite ball control. A feat not many midfielders are capable of. Hit the crossbar with a free-kick in the second half.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 8/10
More than his goal, it will be his injury that United fans will be talking about now. A match-winner for United, the Armenian ran the show with his driving runs at the Spurs defence. His presence kept increasing as the match went on and United fans would hope to see him back sooner rather than later from his injury. A new fan favourite?
Anthony Martial – 6.5/10
The young Frenchman got into some really promising positions but didn’t capitalise at all. Jose Mourinho was constantly reminding him to track back because Darmian was being singled out by the Tottenham team and Martial would need to improve on his defending. A half-hearted showing at best which could’ve been so much more.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 7/10
Ibrahimovic continues to divide opinion. He was very good as a target man for United but sometimes seems to struggle to get past defenders. The quality is no doubt there and he showed it immensely by his control of long balls against the towering duo of Alderweireld and Vertonghen.
Substitutes
Marouane Fellaini – NA
Fans booed him as he came on. Came on in the 96th minute to waste time and didn’t do anything to merit a rating.
Marcus Rashford – (5.5/10)
He was brought on in place of Martial in the 72nd minute to help Darmian out and inject some pace on the left flank. He lost the ball a few times when he got it.
Eric Bailly – (6.5/10)
Came on for the injured Mkhitaryan and gave United some much-needed steel when Spurs threw everything at them. Made some good interceptions and made sure United got all 3 points and a clean sheet.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris – 8/10
He is certainly one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and proved that on the day. The French goalkeeper made some smart saves throughout the match, especially denying Pogba in the second half. He couldn’t do much to stop the goal as Mkhitaryan lashed the ball into the back of the net with ferocity.
Kyle Walker – 6/10
Walker had an average game on Spurs’ right side of defence against Anthony Martial. He would be disappointed that he didn’t get forward enough to trouble Darmian more and help his wingers.
Toby Alderweireld – 6/10
Looked a bit sluggish against his high standards but Alderweireld dealt with most United attacks well.
Jan Vertonghen – 6/10
A very similar performance to his centre-back partner, the Belgian had to deal with Ibrahimovic for the majority of the game but when United attacked in numbers, he seemed a bit tentative with his positioning.
Danny Rose – 5.5/10
He would be very disappointed not to have done more further up the field given that he usually excels even against the best opposition right backs. Defensively, he found it hard to cope with the intelligent movement of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and caught him late in the 85th minute which injured him.
Victor Wanyama – 5.5/10
The Kenyan didn’t seem to impose himself on the game and a missed a glorious chance to put Tottenham level when he found himself all alone for a free header.
Moussa Dembele – 6.5/10
The only Tottenham player who was trying to move around with the ball and make things happen, Dembele did what he does best by shielding the ball and making long strides with it in midfield but couldn’t influence the game as he would have wanted. Was substituted in the 67th minute.
Christian Eriksen – 6/10
A very quiet game from Eriksen’s standards, the midfielder tested David de Gea with two smart free kicks but was a bystander for the majority of the game. Put in an absolutely perfect ball in for Wanyama who squandered the chance.
Dele Alli – 5.5/10
Seems to have become a similar story with Dele Alli where he looks for cheap fouls. He didn’t have any sort of impact on the match and didn’t link up well with Harry Kane. Jones had him in his pocket throughout and the young English midfielder would be disappointed at his poor showing.
Son Heung-min – 5.5/10
Seemed to have been given freedom by Mauricio Pochettino to roam around behind Kane and use Eriksen and Alli for quick one-twos but he didn’t have much of an impact on the game. The only notable contribution to the game was a shot he took cutting in from the right side. Was withdrawn as early as the 57th minute.
Harry Kane – 4/10
An abysmal performance from Harry Kane who has been the spark for Tottenham since returning from injury. Seemed to be one-upped by Marcus Rojo throughout the game and didn’t hold up the ball at all to help bring his teammates into the game.
Substitutes
Harry Winks – 6/10
Came on in the 67th minute in place of Moussa Dembele and did his job well. Kept the ball moving as Tottenham looked for an equaliser.
Moussa Sissoko – 7/10
Darmian would be having nightmares about Sissoko after last night. The Frenchman beat Darmian almost at will but failed to deliver a telling cross which is often the case with him.
Georges-Kévin N'Koudou – NA
Came on late in the 83rd minute for Eriksen but didn’t do much for him to be rated.
