Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Five things that went gone for the Red Devils

3. Right back selections

Rafael’s suspect fitness levels were brought to the fore again when he limped off in the game against Hull. This has now occurred twice already this season when he has pulled up with a strain within the first half of a game, and has further added to Moyes’ long list of worries. Moyes’ preferences in that position after Rafael have been Smalling and Valencia, players who lack some necessary attributes to play the right back role.

While Smalling has the defensive mentality, he has legs made of lead that just aren’t good enough to run up and down the wing the whole game. This was quite evident from Tottenham’s first goal when Adebayor easily slipped past Smalling and jumped up for a free header from Eriksen’s pass. On the other hand, while Valencia has the pace, his first instinct is to go forward, and he has been hesitant to attack balls in his own box and this hesitance on his part lead to Spurs’ second goal of the game. Moyes should consider giving a chance for someone like Fabio who has warmed the benches a lot this season.

4. Januzaj: From boy wonder to United’s mainstay

There is no doubting it; after Wayne Rooney, the best attacking threat from this team comes from the 18 year old lanky Belgian. He has gone from being a wonder kid to being one of the focal points of United’s attack. Some of his footwork was just sensational tonight, and his crosses were landing in the box with deadly accuracy. United need to nurture him to the best possible extent, and Januzaj on his part needs to adapt to the English game as early as possible if he is to showcase the enormous amount of talent he possesses. He also needs to stop diving every other game and just concentrate on playing honest, beautiful football.

5. No David, you really need to invest right now

David Moyes, in one of his pre match conferences, had said United might not buy any big name in the ongoing transfer window, stating that he had a squad deep enough to call upon if need be. But honestly, he needs some players who could go in the first team right now.

United in the first twenty minutes attacked with real menace from the wings, but they couldn’t get a single ball in through the centre of the park. The defense line was chaotic today to say the least, and Moyes needs to search for a big name in all three parts of the field.

A rock solid centre back, a decent left back and a creative midfielder to dictate proceedings from the centre of the field are a must now and Moyes should go all in to search of some prized assets to bring United’s disastrous campaign back on track and challenge for a European slot, in the very least.