Tottenham put in an outstanding performance to defeat Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, and questions will arise again about Erik ten Hag’s future.
The visitors were dealt a blow before kick-off as it was revealed that captain Son Heung-min had not made the trip to Manchester with a hamstring injury picked up on Thursday, meaning Timo Werner was included in the starting XI for Ange Postecoglou.
2 – Spurs have won just two of their last 11 Premier League away games without Son Heung-min (D5 L4), drawing both games last season 2-2 (at Old Trafford and Goodison Park) . setback pic.twitter.com/8MEDAPajVl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 29, 2024
I’m not worried about losing sleep. I worry about starting Werner.
— Matt Hayes
(@matthayesthfc) September 29, 2024
Alisson, Rodri and Son all injured immediately after criticizing how congested the football schedule is https://t.co/EEWdG8PAvb pic.twitter.com/bWur8r9YeI
— barry (@BackseatsmanLFC) September 29, 2024
Manuel Ugarte made his first Premier League Start with Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils.
We expect to see the partnership of Ugarte and Mainoo today for Man United. It will be a big test against a Spurs team that counters very well with the loss of possession.
— Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) September 29, 2024
Ugarte Bruno Werner we are about to see an atrocious footeh
– J… (@yehblitzed) September 29, 2024
Before the game, there was a feeling that goals could be on the menu at the Theater of Dreams, and it took just a couple of minutes for Spurs to break the deadlock. Brennan Johnson continued his impressive goal-scoring run, but his close-range effort was made possible by an absolutely ridiculous run from Micky van de Ven.
Serious question, has there ever been a faster player in the Premier League than Micky van de Ven?
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗
(@TheEuropeanLad) September 29, 2024
Johnson again
going for what player
— Aaron Lennon (@AaronLennon12) September 29, 2024
Just turned on the game and we saw Van de Ven destroy our entire team. pic.twitter.com/FdtpR1od5V
— Deng™ (@UTDDengv2) September 29, 2024
BRENNAN’S RUNS GO BACK AND 4 IN A ROWpic.twitter.com/h0Vu53iE8r
—
(@luka_thfc) September 29, 2024
Tottenham were excellent in the opening exchanges but they were helped by one Man Utd team that struggled to string a sequence of passes together nor looked ready to regain possession up the pitch.
Ugarte, meanwhile, was being run over by James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski between the lines.
Rashford, Bruno and Ugarte link up:
— Footy Humor (@FootyHumour) September 29, 2024
ugarte performance so far pic.twitter.com/iTPmHeHTq5
— LD (@ldmusaj) September 29, 2024
United’s first big moment came when Joshua Zirkzee had an effort well saved by Guglielmo Vicario, but that chance came as Spurs went down to ten with Destiny Udogie off the pitch after receiving treatment. Before Zirkzee’s chance, Johnson was denied by the post after another Lilywhite move.
Zirkzee looks like a child without confidence at the moment…
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) September 29, 2024
Zirkzee must spend 2 hours after each training session practicing his finalist man.
— Scorpio (@UtdEIIIs) September 29, 2024
“It’s really bad,” was Gary Neville’s poor assessment of United’s performance after 30 minutes, with the hosts succumbing to wave after wave of Spurs attacks. Ten Hag’s team, for the umpteenth time, looked completely lost and uninspired with and without the ball.
Gary Neville questions United’s style of play and says he can’t see what Erik ten Hag wants them to do #mufc pic.twitter.com/sH7mTH2yQh
— Steven Railston (@StevenRailston) September 29, 2024
I have no words for how bad these 30 minutes have been, this is one of the worst Manchester United performances I’ve seen from Erik ten Hag which is saying something. Never mind the score, we’re objectively not even competent here. Horrible, horrible performance.
— h (@htomufc) September 29, 2024
Ten Hag are currently wondering if there is anyone else from their Ajax 2019 squad that they can sign to make things better.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 29, 2024
And while a supportive Werner kept it 1-0 by slotting home Andre Onana’s effort after coming in behind, Ten Hag’s problems were compounded by the dismissal of Bruno Fernandes just before half-time departs for a high lunge over Maddison.
Implosion at Old Trafford. Fernandes sent off. He made a move with his cleats on Maddison’s shin after slipping, but he pulled his foot back. rough At the same time, Mainoo was injured, feeling his hamstring. Deep problems for #MUFC – Much superior spurs even before.
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) September 29, 2024
Could sell Bruno Fernandes this week.
— Andy (@LetsTalk_FPL) September 29, 2024
I’ll be honest being 1-0 up and against 10 men absolutely freaks me out
— Billie (@Billie_T) September 29, 2024
Spurs fans would have been theorizing at half-time how Postecoglou’s side could break a game that was overwhelmingly in their favour, but those fears were quickly allayed after the restart as Kulusevski cleverly doubled the lead your advantage
“Morning Farewells”, #THFC fans serenade Ten Hag. It never rains but it rains for Ten Hag. #MUFC opened again, so weak in possession. #THFC broken, Johnson runs, Kulusevski elegantly finishes with a guided volley. 2-0 #THFC #MUNTOT
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 29, 2024
Yes, United are poor, but Spurs got into it today! Johnson assists, Kulusevski with a good finish. Tottenham 2-0. It could be much more.#JEWELRY #THFC
— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) September 29, 2024
Clouds darkened over Old Trafford as the contest wore on with Tottenham firmly in control, but the United faithful, while surely horrified by what they had been forced to endure, produced an admirable effort to provide some inspiration. There was a rebound but the chances kept coming for Spurs and it was the wonderful Kulusevski often at the heart of their forward play.
For three games a year, Kulusevski becomes the best player in the world and refuses to give more details
— // (@aggzzx) September 29, 2024
The amount of space Man Utd leave between their CBs and the double pivot in midfield is hilarious. This is a replay of Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd last season. Kulusevski can’t believe his luck with the space he has. Just like Olise couldn’t last season.
— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) September 29, 2024
United briefly threatened a revival and Casemiro went close, but a three-point change at Tottenham immediately meant a third goal. Lucas Bergvall took the corner from which Dominic Solanke finished after a kick from Pape Matar Sarr.
Bergvall kicking in a perfect corner and Sarr with the assist, in his first action after coming on.
Ange masterclass fair enough
—
(@axelthfc) September 29, 2024
Spurs fans sing Dom Solanke to the tune of Martial’s old chant and I have to ask who thought it was a waste of money to sign him.
— Casey Evans (@Casey_Evans_) September 29, 2024
After the rain, the visitors went down and while the United fans who stayed refused to turn on their manager, questions will no doubt be asked about Ten Hag again given the level of the Red Devils’ performance .
It’s over for Ten Hag.
— Lebanon (@LibanLDN) September 29, 2024
Ten Hag will mention the fact that he’s got more trophies behind City since he’s been here, mark my words.
— Faysal (@elfayz_) September 29, 2024
