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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally passed the acid test. After winning his first five games, a fantastic run of form that was considered to be a little lucky as well, the Norwegian was supposed to be judged against the man who was the front runner for the permanent job. Pochettino apparently has his admirers in the United board, but on the night, Solskjaer must have made even the most hardcore fan of the Argentinean sit up and take notice.
Manchester United played two different halves of football and were fiercely efficient in both. While they lit up the first half with a brilliant display of attacking football, they were matured and stellar while preserving their lead in the second half. In the end, Solskjaer came away from Wembley with his head held high. The Norwegian has now won all of his first six games in charge, becoming the first Manchester United manager to do so and for that, he has these six men to thank.
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#6 Nemanja Matic
The Serbian has been fabulous ever since Solskjaer took over and at Wembley, the Norwegian trusted Nemanja Matic with the most difficult job so far - shielding his shaky defense against a dangerous Tottenham attack. And the Serbian was brilliant in his role.
Matic started as the defensive midfielder and unlike the previous games under his new manager, did not venture forward at will. Instead, the Serbian concentrated on nullifying the opposition attack, trying to stop the Tottenham midfield from passing and getting comfortable. He dominated the midfield, refusing to surrender the reins to the opposition. He double teamed with Herrera to stop Eriksen, while also trying to set his forward players free on the odd occasions. However, Matic's biggest contribution came inside his own box.
Every time Tottenham ventured into the United box, the Serbian was around. Phil Jones was having a harrowing time dealing with the physical presence of Harry Kane and Matic seamlessly slotted into the United defense, playing as the third center back at times, especially in the second half. He was fantastic on the night and his quick thinking and awareness helped United preserve their 1-0 lead.
#5 Paul Pogba
The Frenchman was not consistently extraordinary on the night, but as is the case with great players, it only takes a minute to show their quality. Pogba started in his usual position in the midfield three on the night, with quite a lot of freedom. He regularly joined the front men in the first half, trying to unlock defenses and using his quick feet to find space. He came close to scoring him on a couple of times. However, it was just before the end of the first half when Paul Pogba showed just why Solskjaer wanted to build a team around him.
As Spurs lost the ball after piling the bodies forward, Lingard played the ball to Pogba near the halfway line. The Frenchman's awareness was evident, as he had noticed Rashford's run up ahead. He showed his passing range next, hitting a perfect long ball that fell to the feet of the English youngster, who was on a footrace with Vertonghen. Rashford won the race and hit a shot across the goal that found the bottom left corner and gave United the lead.
It was this moment of brilliance from the Frenchman that won United the game. However, Pogba also defended his heart out and stay compact as a part of the team under the second half onslaught from Spurs.
#4 Ander Herrera
The Spaniard keeps getting better with every passing game. Against Tottenham, Herrera showed once again why he is so highly regarded by his manager. He was, as usual, the heartbeat of the team, but his task on the night was far more serious and important.
Herrera started alongside Pogba and Matic and combined well with both of them throughout the game. He was the fighter in the team who urged everyone on and brought fierce competitiveness on the pitch. His contrasting duties in the two halves were crucial as United fought hard to come away with three important points.
Herrera started the game by breaking down the Spurs attack and keeping the ball moving. He joined the United attack on a few occasions, but also kept a close watch on Dele Alli and Eriksen. The Spaniard was full of running and worked hard as usual, but it was his efforts in the second half that was crucial for the Red Devils.
As Matic dropped further down to shield the defense, Herrera formed the second line of defense ahead of his back four, biting at every opportunity and picking up loose balls. His compact defending, awareness and intelligence were vital as United successfully preserved their lead in the second half.
#3 Marcus Rashford
When it looked like Rashford would lead the line against Spurs, Solskjaer put him on the right. However, the Englishman continuously switch places with his attacking partners, giving the Tottenham defense a harrowing time on the night. The Englishman's speed and willingness to run at the defenders was ably used by Solskjaer and Rashford was brilliant for his manager on the night.
Pitted against a very attacking team, the Englishman defending from the front, fighting for every loose ball and pressing the defenders. His abilities were crucial as United broke free on the counter and Rashford's speed caused the Tottenham defense to be ultra careful. Alderweireld and Vertonghen are both defenders who like to influence the game from deep, but thanks to Rashford's diligence, both were pretty occupied for the majority of the first half.
It was also in the first half that Rashford's run was tracked well by Pogba. The Frenchman's long ball was taken into his stride by the English youngster, who finished brilliantly to secure United's win. Rashford has now scored three goals in his last three games for the first time in his career.
When Spur's pegged United back in the second half, the Englishman showed great maturity and responsibility as well, so his manager will be very proud of him.
#2 Victor Lindelof
One of the most developed players under Solskjaer, Lindelof had his biggest challenge on hand since the Norwegian took over - marking Harry Kane. The Englishman had scored 13 times already before the game and as such, Lindelof had to be at his very best to stop him. Yet, the Swede never looked uncomfortable and almost always had Kane under control.
Lindelof's speed, ball playing abilities and strength were all put to test against the English Striker and the Swedish International defender came out with flying colors on the night. Kane found a little joy whenever he was marked by Jones, but every time he came under Lindelof's radar, he was stifled for space. For a man who takes fun in harassing the opposition defenders, Kane was put in his place by Lindelof, who ensured that the Englishman drifted out wide to affect the game.
When Tottenham piled on the pressure in the second half, Lindelof stood tall, rising the highest and staying strong. He was bailed out by an outstanding De Gea behind him on a couple of occasions, but against Spurs, Lindelof was brilliant himself.
#1 David De Gea
For much of the second half, it was De Gea versus the entire Tottenham team. The home team had thrown men forward in a bit to secure at least a draw and had pegged United back for the majority of the half. They had even managed to pass the United defense, but every time they tried to score, they were met with a defiant goalkeeper.
David De Gea made 11 saves in the second half alone, the most by a goalkeeper this season in a half. It almost looked like Tottenham would score, only for the United custodian to thwart them. Some of his saves were absolutely unbelievable.
The Spaniard was brilliant in the first half as well, keep United in the game on a couple of occasions, but he outdid himself after the break. Having such an assured goalkeeper makes every team better and all the credit of United's win has to go to De Gea, without whom, United would have surely lost the game. It is no wonder that he is considered by many to be the best in the world right now and against Tottenham, the Spaniard showed just why he is indispensable to this United team.
