In the Premier League on Saturday, Manchester United hosted Tottenham Hotspur in a tough match. The key moment came when Cristian Romero received a straight red card just 29 minutes in for a dangerous tackle on Casemiro. The big question was whether United would take advantage of this situation. In a previous match against Everton, United failed to capitalize against 10 men. This time, they won 2-0, scoring both goals after the red card.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Three Key Takeaways
Just 10 minutes after the red card, Bryan Mbuemo scored from a well-executed set-piece. United went on to score two more goals in the game, but both were ruled offside. After Romero’s ejection, Spurs struggled to attack, managing only one shot on target in the entire match.
Following a triple substitution by Thomas Frank in the 80th minute, it seemed Spurs would try to turn the game around. Almost immediately, Diogo Dalot provided an assist to Bruno Fernandes, who scored to secure a 2-0 victory for United.
With the win, United continues to improve under Michael Carrick. Here are three key observations from the match.
1. Speed Remains a Concern for United
Manchester United still needs to address the lack of speed in their midfield, especially in light of Casemiro’s potential departure. The back four, along with the two deeper midfielders, showed limited pace, which was evident against Tottenham early on.
Neither Diogo Dalot nor Luke Shaw is particularly fast, and Spurs’ wide players found success against them. Harry Maguire and Casemiro are not known for their speed either, making them vulnerable to quick attacks. This was apparent in the first 30 minutes as Pape Sarr and Conor Gallagher posed challenges running past Casemiro. Kobbie Mainoo, while a talented player, also lacks speed.
After Romero’s red card, Tottenham dropped back, which lessened the impact of United’s pace issues.
When Lenny Yoro or Ayden Heaven play as center-backs, United can utilize a higher defensive line. With the current back four, they have to defend deeper to counter their speed limitations. In the summer, United might look for a quicker defensive midfielder and a pacey center-back.
2. Thomas Frank Faces Pressure
Thomas Frank is under significant scrutiny following his 37 games as Tottenham manager, with a win rate of only 36.11%. He has not secured a Premier League win since December and has only managed back-to-back wins once during his time at the club.
As a team that sees itself as a ‘big club,’ Tottenham should be competing for a top-six finish, not struggling in the lower part of the table. Last season they finished 17th but had the consolation of winning the Europa League. However, this season has been challenging, with the team five points away from the top 10 and 11 points from the top five. They are also out of both domestic cups. If Spurs wish to salvage their season, a change may be necessary soon.
3. Manchester United’s Attack is Effective
Manchester United’s attacking lineup has been particularly effective since Carrick took over. Using two wide midfielders and a deeper forward has created problems for their opponents in recent matches. Whether it’s Patrick Dorgu or Matheus Cunha on the left, Mbuemo upfront, and Amad Diallo on the right, the players are not fixed in their positions.
Bruno Fernandes often plays high up the pitch during pressing, but he has added more discipline to his game recently. This helps him take positions typically occupied by forwards, making it difficult for opposing defenders to keep track of him.
Each of the front three is capable of playing in various attacking roles, allowing them to switch positions frequently, which complicates defensive setups. Throughout Saturday’s game, Cunha and Mbuemo exchanged roles, while Amad occasionally operated in a false nine position. When striker Benjamin Sesko replaced Cunha, Mbuemo moved to the left, showcasing the versatility of United’s attack.
Manchester United aims for a fifth consecutive win when they face West Ham United on Tuesday night.