Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Manchester United: 3 takeaways from the game | Premier League 2018-19

Coming into the game, both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur needed points for different reasons. On the one hand, a win for Spurs would have taken them within six points off league leaders Liverpool whereas for United it was about closing the gap to the top four. With so much at stake, it promised to be an enthralling encounter at Wembley.

The home side started the game positively keeping more possession but failed to create any good chances. United looked threatening on the counter-attack with both Martial and Rashford pulling out saves from Hugo Lloris. Harry Kane put the ball into the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside.

However, as we approached towards the half time, Paul Pogba produced one of the passes of the season for Marcus Rashford who slotted the ball past Lloris to put United ahead going into the break. It was all Spurs in the second half, and they repeatedly knocked at the doors of United's goal only for David de Gea to deny the home side on each occasion.

The victory would surely give United a morale boost going while for Spurs it just might be the end of their title race this campaign. Here are the three takeaways from the encounter.

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#3 A pass of the season from Paul Pogba

Pogba provided the assist for Marcus Rashford's goal

Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge of Manchester United, Paul Pogba has looked a completely different player than he was under Jose Mourinho. He seems more relaxed and is playing with much more freedom further up the pitch.

In such a close fixture like this, it's always going to be a moment of brilliance that would decide the outcome of the game. Towards the end of the first half with both sides struggling to create any clear cut chances, Paul Pogba played an outstanding pass to Marcus Rashford which the England International gladly acknowledged.

Paul looked the most significant threat for United in the game and even came close on a couple of occasions in the second half to double the lead for the Red Devils. It's certainly a positive sign for the fans as Pogba's form would be crucial for United's top four chances till the end of the season.

#2 David de Gea bails United out again

De Gea produced his best performance of the season.

David de Gea got some criticism this season for his performances with the Spaniard failing to keep as many clean sheets as he would have liked. He disappointed with Spain at the World Cup as well.

However, today De Gea showed once again, why he is the only player to win Sir Matt Busby Award on three occasions. The weak defense of the Red Devils was put under enormous pressure by relentless Tottenham attack, but De Gea stood tall on every time.

Within the first 20 minutes of the second half, he made three crucial saves to deny Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Even, a fantastic reflex block with his feet denied Alderweireld's header from close range. The home side deserved a goal for all their efforts in the second half and could have won the game if there was someone else in front of the goal for Manchester United.

#1 Title race over for Mauricio Pochettino's side?

Spurs deserved something out of the game.

Out of the top three, Spurs were the least favorites among the bookmakers to win the Premier League this season. Despite all the controversies surrounding their stadium, Pochettino and his men did make a good account for themselves and fought on all four fronts. However, with such a tight squad, it's always going to get difficult for the North London side to compete against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

The home side didn't look at their best in the first half today and went behind before the break when Marcus Rashford beat Hugo Lloris at the far post. Spurs completely dominated the second half, and the number of chances they created was enough to claim three points on any other day.

It was David de Gea's brilliance on goal that stopped Pochettino to get any point out of the match and arguably ended their title hopes this season. With the gap stretched to nine points between them and Liverpool, it seems too far for Tottenham to catch up.