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After 3 wins in their first 3 games in pre-season, Manchester United's preparation for the new season had been going according to plan. After victories over Perth Glory and Leeds United in Australia, the Red Devils started their International Champions Cup journey with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan. United have now scored 7 goals and conceded none in 3 games, however, they were up against a familiar foe at the Hongkou Football Stadium on Thursday.
Tottenham Hotspur reached the final of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League and had also finished two places above United in the Premier League table last season. They had defeated Juventus in dramatic fashion in their first game of the International Champions Cup. As such, the game represented an opportunity for Solskjaer to pit his wits against a Spurs team that was on the rise and the Norwegian named his team accordingly.
David De Gea continued in goal, while the Norwegian opted for a back four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, and Ashley Young. In the midfield, Paul Pogba started alongside Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira. Anthony Martial led the attack, while Mason Greenwood and Daniel James started either side of him.
United started the game brighter and took the lead through Anthony Martial in the 21st minute. The first half ended 1-0 and Solskjaer changed his entire first 11 at the break, however, it was Tottenham, who started the second half stronger. Pochettino's men even took a fortuitous lead in the 65th minute, when Lucas Moura's shot took a heavy deflection and wrong-footed Sergio Romero in the United goal.
When it looked like the game was certain to go to penalties, Angel Gomes restored United's lead in the 80th minute and the game ended 2-1 in United's favor.
Solskjaer has now won all four of his preseason games and against Spurs, these 5 men were brilliant and helped United win the game
#5 Andreas Pereira
The Brazilian started the game in the heart of the midfield and looked a little off the pace at the start. However, as the game progressed, Andreas Pereira improved and enjoyed operating in the hole behind the striker. He worked extremely well with the front three, threading those final balls and taking up pockets of spaces around the box.
When United lost the ball, Pereira was superb in the high press and even tracked back to help his defense cope with the opposition's attack. And in the 21st minute, a brilliantly weighted through ball helped United take the lead.
Picking up the ball in the oppositions half, the Brazilian ran past three Tottenham players and then placed a fantastic through ball for Martial, who scored and put United in front.
#4 Scott McTominay
The Scottish midfielder was selected alongside Paul Pogba as a double pivot and the youngster outshone the Frenchman on the field. Scott McTominay was everything United needed in the first half. Most importantly, his all-round performance in the middle of the park enabled United to stay in control of the game and dominate proceedings.
McTominay has already shown this season that he is better suited to Solskjaer’s tactics than Nemanja Matic. Against Tottenham too, the youngster was agile, fast and compact in the middle. He picked up the ball in the midfield and wasted no time to set his forward players free. He went shoulder to shoulder with the Tottenham midfielders and regularly came up on top. And he had the awareness to do the cleaning up when United lost the ball.
The young midfielder almost resembled a prime Matic at times, eating up ground at will and refusing to give up the reins of the game. His tenacity and work ethics could be a defining factor for United this season.
#3 Daniel James
The youngster has been in fine form in pre-season and has shown time and again that he could be a menace in the final third. Daniel James is already pushing for a first-team place and against Tottenham too, the youngster gave a fine account of himself.
The Welshman started the game on the left and caused the Tottenham defense a lot of problems, especially in the counter-attack. Whenever United broke away in numbers, James’ speed looked like an asset. Tottenham were troubled every time he ran at them because they failed to cope with his pace. As a result, James drew fouls and won free-kicks in dangerous areas. Sissoko was particularly lucky to escape punishment for stamping him.
United’s new signing, though, continued to work hard despite all the attention he received from the opposition. He won the ball back, he never stopped running, and also combined well with Anthony Martial. He could have even picked up an assist the first time, after feeding Martial, whose shot hit the upright.
James has improved with every passing game and against Tottenham, he showed why United pursued his signature this summer.
#2 Angel Gomes
The youngster was one of a handful of academy players that Solskjaer has taken to the pre-season. And his big moment arrived in the game against Tottenham, where he started on the bench and was brought on for the second half.
The Portuguese stationed himself on the left side of the attack and spent the afternoon running at the Tottenham right-back. His movement was good, and Gomes even got into good positions, combining well with Luke Shaw. He tried to build up a partnership with Rashford, but lacked a bit of maturity on the field, at times trying audacious attempts at goal, including a chip that landed on the roof of the net.
However, the quality of Angel Gomes is undeniable and it was in the 80th minute that the world was witness to that. Picking up the ball at his regular position, Gomes ran into the box, played a beautiful one-two with Juan Mata and then finished from the tightest of angles. It was a goal that won the game and also gave a glimpse of the young talents at United's disposal.
#1 Anthony Martial
The Frenchman started through the middle against Tottenham and immediately caught the eye. Anthony Martial’s positioning was sleek, and he looked a man on a mission. He ran the channels pretty well and stretched the Tottenham defense with his movement.
Martial had a great chance to score early in the game when he was fed in by Daniel James. He ran into the box and hit a sweet volley to the far corner. The goalkeeper was beaten, but unfortunately, the ball came off the upright. It was an indication of things to come.
Martial continued his runs, combining expertly with James and Andreas Pereira. However, the final ball let him down. Thankfully in the 21st minute, Pereira and Martial were on song again and the result was just beautiful.
Pereira picked up the ball near the box and fed a glorious through ball to the Frenchman. Martial, clear on goal, made no mistake and finished from a tight angle to give United the lead. It was exactly what United and the Frenchman deserved.
The Frenchman was also a constant threat during counter-attacks and Solskjaer will be very pleased with his performance on the night.
