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Manchester United fell to a 4-3 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday, December 19. As a result, the Red Devils are out of the competiiton, while Spurs advance to the semi-finals along with Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
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Both Manchester United and Tottenham made great starts to the game as the first half was a closely contested affair. They split the possession stats nearly equally, but the hosts broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. Dominic Solanke showed great awareness as he latched onto a loose ball and fired it home, leaving Altay Bayindir stranded in the Red Devils' net.
Tottenham attempted two other shots on target which were well saved by Bayindir, but also fired three shots off-targer in the first half. Manchester United, on the other hand, attempted seven shots but failed to test Fraser Forster in Spurs' goal as none of them were on target. As a result, the hosts carried a one-goal lead into the half-time interval.
Tottenham made a great start to the second half as Dejan Kulusevski doubled their advantage just a minute after the restart. They kept applying pressure and even bagged a third goal just eight minutes later. This time it was Djed Spence providing the assist as Solanke made it a brace to make it 3-0 in favour of Spurs. Ruben Amorim then turned to his bench as he looked for answers.
His decision to bring on Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo worked wonders as both got on the scoresheet within minutes of coming on. Things were looking tense for the hosts as the home fans had gone silent with worry. However, captain Heung-min Son eased all pressure with a stunning goal from a corner to make it 4-2 in Tottenham's favour after 88 minutes.
Diallo bagged an assist in the dying embers of the match as Jonny Evans nodded home to make it 4-3.There were barely any seconds left to play after that as the referee blew the final whistle. On that note, let's take a look at the visitors' player ratings.
Manchester United Player Ratings
Altay Bayindir - 5/10
Bayindir made one big error that cost Manchester United a goal. He made two saves and one high claim but ended up on the losing side.
Leny Yoro - 6.5/10
Yoro had a decent game in defence for his team, winning six duels and making three clearances and three interceptions.
Victor Lindelof - 6.5/10
Lindelof had a decent first half but suffered an injury just before the break and had to be replaced by Evans.
Lisandro Martinez - 6.5/10
Martinez won four duels at the back and also made three clearances and one interception. He played one key pass and also played seven long balls to open up the play.
Noussair Mazraoui - 6.5/10
Mazraoui played one key pass and also won six duels, making five tackles. He attempted two shots that were both off-target.
Christian Eriksen - 6.5/10
Eriksen had a decent game in the middle of the park for Manchester United, passing the ball with 88% accuracy and winning his only duel.
Manuel Ugarte - 6.5/10
Ugarte played well in midfield but was subbed off in the second half for tactical reasons.
Diogo Dalot - 7/10
Dalot had a good game on the left side of Manchester United's formation. He passed the ball with 84% accuracy, including four key passes and one accurate cross. He also won two duels and made two interceptions.
Antony - 6/10
Antony had a poor game on the right flank and was subbed off in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes - 7.5/10
Fernandes led his team from the front with his great midfield play. He passed the ball with 87% accuracy, including three key passes. Fernandes also won three duels and made one interception.
Rasmus Hojlund - 6.5/10
Hojlund started the game up front but could not make the desired impact as his only shot was off-target. He won two duels and was also dispossessed nine times.
Substitutes
Jonny Evans - 7/10
Evans came on just before half-time but bagged himself a goal in the dying embers after getting to Diallo's cross.
Amad Diallo - 8.5/10
He put in a great cameo for Manchester United after coming on in the second half, scoring one goal and assisting another.
Kobbie Mainoo - 6.5/10
Mainoo replaced Eriksen but could not make much of a difference in the middle.
Joshua Zirkzee - 7/10
Zirkzee pounced on an error from Forster and had a good cameo overall.
Alejandro Garnacho - 6/10
He replaced Ugarte late in the game but could not make an impact.
