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The last Premier League match of this month saw Manchester United square off against Tottenham Hotspur at the Theatre of Dreams. The Red Devils’ had come off a 3-2 loss to newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion, with Jose Mourinho demanding ‘reaction’ from his players in the build-up to this match, and that is exactly what he got in the first half.
United were full of flair and aggression deploying a 3-5-2 formation in the first half and created the better chances of the two sides, with Fred getting a crack at goal in the first 15 seconds of the game and Lukaku failing to convert in front of an empty goal. The first half ended with United dominating but failing to hit the target.
The second half saw a complete reversal, as Spurs, who had gained some momentum from the latter stages of the first half, pressed on and scored early into the second half. It was England international, Harry Kane, who converted from a corner and moments later, a recent signing from PSG, Lucas Moura scored to tilt it heavily in Spurs’ favour.
Mourinho’s change in formation couldn’t inspire a comeback as Spurs pushed on to make it 3-0 another to become the 4th team in the Premier League to make it 3 out of 3, putting them just behind Liverpool on goal difference in the points table. On the other hand, this defeat puts United in the bottom half of the table at 13th, marking United’s worst start to a season since 1992-93, and many would suggest a storm is brewing at Old Trafford.
Let’s take a look at 5 players who experienced contrasting fortunes in this match:
#5 Hit: Luke Shaw
One of the unlikely starters for Manchester United at the beginning of the season, Luke Shaw has turned out to be one of Manchester United’s best defenders of the season. The only surviving member of United’s defence from Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Brighton, Shaw was a bundle of energy and revelled in his new role as a left-wing back.
The young English full-back was arguably United’s best player in the match, and he provided excellent width to the United attack, making surging runs down the left flank, putting in excellent crosses into the box and finding Lukaku time and time again. Shaw remained solid at the back and couldn’t be put to fault for the goals they conceded.
Shaw’s promising start to the season has seen him keep Ashley Young out of the United squad and has been the only positive for United fans on a day the Red Devils’ lost their 50th match at the Theatre of Dreams.
#4 Flop: Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku had a night to forget against Tottenham. The Belgium striker drew a blank against Spurs and was generally ineffective throughout the match.
His performances generally against the ‘big six’ teams have been poor, and this has been worrying for United fans. By the end of February last season, Lukaku had one only one goal against any side in the top six, and that goal was against Southampton.
His display against Spurs is yet another evidence of his status as a ‘flat-track’ bully, a player that is capable of dominating the lesser teams, but struggling to perform against the better teams.
The Belgium centre-forward had a nightmare night in front of goal, as he failed to score in an open goal midway through the first half after he rounded past Hugo Lloris. He piled further misery on his manager, as he scuffed two inviting opportunities created for him from the left wing. One effort was an inaccurate header, and the other a team hit straight at the keeper.
#3 Hit: Kieran Trippier
As far as attack-minded full-backs go, one would be hard pressed to find a better one currently in world football than the 27-year-old English international, who is interestingly, from Manchester himself.
Yet again, Trippier did not disappoint at Old Trafford, playing a starring role for his side that blew away United in the second-half. He played a decisive role in the second goal that gave Spurs an air of comfortability. Trippier played a delightful through ball to Eriksen which was perfectly weighted, and the Dane made no mistake in finding Lucas Moura who swept it home.
Trippier looked like his brilliant self from the right-hand side, rarely misplacing a pass or getting caught in possession, and always finding his offensive players with dangerous line breaking passes. As a bonus for any defence– he was part of a back-four that kept a clean sheet at Old Trafford.
He was replaced at the 75th minute by Serge Aurier, after enjoying a great spell in the match.
#2 Flop: Nemanja Matic
The Serbian international did not have a night to remember as he looked rusty on his return to the reds of Manchester United. This was the 30-year old’s first match since Serbia’s exit from the group stages in the World Cup, and he looked like it as he was nowhere near full fitness.
Matic and Herrera were widely expected to fill up at defence and provide some cover for United’s fluid defensive set-up, but the Serb was prone to some hazardous moments. A lazy pass almost led to Spurs’ first goal inside the first half and started to give Spurs some momentum before the beginning of the second half.
Even though the Serb was hardly average in the first half, he was completely overrun in midfield in the second half, as Eriksen, Dele Alli, and even an underperforming Moussa Dembele ran riot. Mourinho would hope Matic finds form and soon, as United are in need of a desperate comeback on Sunday vs Burnley.
#1 Hit: Lucas Moura
When Lucas Moura arrived in North London in the January transfer window, there were few who doubted his end-product. After his display against United, Moura stamped his case as a genuine goal scorer, one who can deliver when the stakes are highest.
Tottenham have historically not enjoyed their visits to Old Trafford, but Moura played a crucial role for this Spurs side which enjoyed their best result at Old Trafford in fifty odd years.
Moura’s well-renowned blistering pace was on full display, as he combined to devastating effect with his teammates. His first goal was a fine example of a counter-attacking move, with Trippier’s early ball transitioning defence to attack in a matter of seconds. Moura’s finish itself had a touch of composure and precision which only top players possess. His second goal came very late in the second half, with his pace proving to be far too much for the United back line to deal with.
Moura, later on, reflected on his performance on the match, claiming he did ‘very well’. After scoring 3 goals in 2 games already this season for Spurs, one cannot disagree that the Brazilian was a hit in the game.
