Jose Mourinho and Spurs had a day to remember at Old Trafford yesterday, coming away 6-1 winners as United fell apart
Man United hosted Spurs yesterday, in what was being billed as an exciting match up. Both sides had underperformed since the new season started, but both have good, exciting squads.
Solskjaers side were the favourites for this one. They had a full squad to chose from whereas as Spurs were expected to be missing key man Son and new signing Gareth Bale still not fit. However, much to the delight of Spurs’ fans, Son had managed to make himself available for the game.
Both sides were desperate to win this game to keep up with the chasing teams, but a draw wouldn’t have been the worst result. A loss would have meant two out of three for United or two out of four for Spurs, not the best way to start a new season!
Man United vs Spurs
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United got off to the perfect start, with another penalty. This time it was after just 30 seconds with Sanchez bringing down Martial and Bruno converting it into the bottom right corner. However, the perfect start for United didn’t last long, when Ndombele equalised two minutes later after another defensive howler from Maguire.
Spurs then took the lead in the seventh minute. Maguire fouling Kane on the halfway line, whos quick freekick sent Son through one on one. The South Korean dinking it into the bottom right corner. It got worse for United on the 28th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Martial sent off for reacting to Lamelas elbow in his throat and the Argentine was lucky not to follow him.
Spurs added two more before the break. Harry Kane getting in on the act and then Son getting himself another after hid guided it through the legs of De Gea at the front post.
United were 4-1 down at the half time and this was the first time ever they had conceded four in the first half of a Premier League game.
Mourinho’s side didn’t wait long in the second half to get another. Right-back Serge Aurier got himself a goal after making a good run into the box and smashing it back De Gea into the bottom left.
Kane then got his second and the final goal of the game when Pogba brought down Davies in the box. De Gea went the right way, but Kane’s penalty was struck too well for him to get close enough to it.
This was an awful display from Man United but a much more convincing one from Spurs. Even though the hosts were that bad, Spurs still had to be clinical and they were. They let up a bit in the second half, but it was job done by then and Mourinho was probably more happy to not have any more injuries. Spurs went into sixth place in the table, with United now in 16th.
The Remainder Of The Season
Both sides now that even after just a month of the new season, they probably won’t be challenging for the title come May. United are priced at 55/1 with Spurs at 22/1 on Paddy Power. Both sides are still a few transfers away from reaching the heights of Man City, Liverpool and maybe Chelsea.
United will be now looking for top four again as their main target, as will Spurs. Top four though this season will be even harder than the last. Chelsea have bought well in the transfers market and so have Everton and Arsenal. All three of these teams will feel like they have enough to push for the top four. United are 9/4 to get in the top four again, whilst Spurs are at 9/5. Paddy Power has United, Arsenal, Spurs and Everton all at similar odds. United was in a similar position last season and still managed a top-four spot!
Betting on a winner without Man City and Liverpool might be the best bet. Spurs are at 5/1, with United at 13/2. Even though they have both started not as they would have liked, there is still a long way to go. There is an international break now which gives both sides chances to regroup if your United or hopefully carry on from yesterday if your Spurs.
