MUFC Player Ratings: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspurs
The term ‘six pointer’ is thrown around as cliché to describe an important match between two teams close together in the domestic league. Of course, there is no such thing as a ‘six pointer’, but the prospect of Manchester United winning three points and denying Tottenham Hotspurs three points was huge for United’s campaign ambitions. Spurs were eager to catch up with the leaders while the Reds were attempting to right their wobbly Premier League form in the hopes of closing the gap with the likes of Spurs, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Jose Mourinho named the same starting eleven which performed so poorly against Everton the previous weekend, however, there was a clear difference in approach to the fixture with Tottenham. Mourinho instructed his team to sit back and allow Spurs to control the game, waiting for the right opportunity to break quickly. It was a much more ‘Mourinho’ performance than at Goodison Park last week, with organised defending and ambitious attacking football when in possession.
United came out of the blocks quickly and looked convincing in every foray forward while Spurs looked ponderous and lacked conviction in building offences. Some nice interchanges between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovi? led to Paul Pogba’s left-footed shot in the second minute which was well saved by Hugo Lloris. The Armenian playmaker was at the heart of everything good from United, and so, it was only right that Mkhitaryan scored the only goal of the game after latching onto Ander Herrera’s through ball and hammering a shot past Lloris half an hour in.
@WikimediaCommons
Spurs looked more convincing after the break but life-long United fan Victor Wanyama missed the target when left completely unmarked at a set piece. Christian Ericksen was more threatening to United as he forced saves from David De Gea in either half of the match. Harry Kane and Dele Alli were surprisingly quiet up against Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, who have really cemented their partnership to everyone’s admiration.
A good performance and, more importantly, a good win against one the League’s toughest opposition will give fans optimism going into the congested festive fixtures. However, with so many false dawns over the past three months, let alone three seasons, the Old Trafford faithful will not let their hopes become too ambitious. Mourinho needs to prove his critiques wrong and capitalise on the likes of City, Liverpool and Spurs’ recent slip ups.
Player Ratings
GK: David De Gea: 7
The Spanish shot-stopper looks back to his best after a few weeks of uncharacteristic errors. Was alert to stop Ericksen’s direct free kicks and parried Heung-Min Son’s shot in the 35th minute comfortably. Was not forced into any wonder saves because of Spurs’ lack of clear cut chances. His distribution was very good and initiated a few dangerous United counter attacks.
RB: Antonio Valencia: 6
Very good going forward, linking up well with Mkhitaryan when the Armenian drifted in from his right wing position. Put in some dangerous crosses towards the end of the first half which, on another day, Ibrahimovi? would have buried. Was defensively respectable in the first half at stopping Son but was less convincing in the second; lost Wanyama for his free header and a miscontrolled touch allow Alli a chance to punish the Ecuadorian, which the youngster failed to capitalise on.
RCB: Phil Jones: 8
@WikimediaCommons
Probably one of Jones’ most assured performances in a United shirt. Won 100% of his aerial duels (3) and 100% of his tackles (3). Not only that, but the rejuvenated Englishman made six clearances and five interceptions. His personal highlight was in the 95th minute when he calmly stopped Danny Rose’ marauding run in the penalty area when so many of his colleagues had been beaten by the left back.
LCB: Marcos Rojo: 8
Like Jones, Rojo was solid at the heart of United’s defence. Dealt comfortably with the physicality of Harry Kane who had been instructed to target the Argentinian. Made an incredible fourteen clearances, which proves the point: if you give Rojo a no-nonsense job, he will perform it in a no-nonsense manner. The Argentine only fails when he is given technical tasks which he is unable to perform.
LB: Matteo Darmian: 7
Despite Daley Blind’s good performance at left back against Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League, Darmian kept his starting spot in United’s line up, to many fans’ displeasure. The Italian international, however, put in a shift which would have won some of his critiques over. Three tackles, four aerial duels won, six clearances and four interceptions are very good numbers, especially when you consider that Darmian had to deal with Ericksen, Moussa Sissoko and Kyle Walker. Struggled momentarily with Sissoko when he was introduced in the second half but Mourinho reshuffled United’s midfield so that Pogba tracked back more which quelled any threat which the Frenchman posed.
CDM: Michael Carrick: 7
A very stereotypical Carrick performance. Made some important interceptions and nonchalantly restarted United’s attacks from deep. Added real composure to United’s play and some solidity to the back four with his positioning causing Spurs problems when they attempted to build up attacking rhythm. It has now been eleven games that Carrick has started this season, with the Reds winning nine and losing none. This kind of pattern is not coincidental.
RCM: Ander Herrera: 8
A crucial member of United’s midfield dynamic. While Carrick adds the composure and Pogba adds the strength and skill, Herrera brings industry and tenacity. Won more tackles (5) than any other United player and his pressing caused issues for Spurs’ midfield and defence. His pull back for Mkhitaryan in the 22nd minute was well weighted and, just moments later, his through ball to the Armenian was rewarded with an assist. Had two 50/50 penalty shouts in the second half and was a general nuisance for Spurs all afternoon. Played five key passes, the same amount as Kane, Son, Alli and Ericksen combined.
LCM: Paul Pogba: 7
A much better performance from the Frenchman than against Everton the previous weekend. Forced Lloris into two good saves in the 1st and 63rd minute and left his countryman completely stranded when his free kick cannoned back off the bar. Did not get as involved in the game as Herrera but did a very good job at keeping Dembélé quiet. Won more aerial duels than any other player on the pitch (6).
RM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 9
@WikimediaCommons
The Armenian has started five games in all competitions since his exile from the United squad and won four man of the match awards. Having stated three days earlier that he wished for his next goal to come at Old Trafford, Mkhitaryan fulfilled his self-prophecy by expertly running onto Herrera’s through ball and blasting the ball past Lloris. While his goal will make the highlight reel, it is the Armenian’s all round play which makes him such a fan-favourite already. In the first minute he controlled the ball on his chest, nudged it behind him with his shoulder, span and ran directly at Spurs’ defence before teeing up Ibrahimovi? in the box. The former Dortmund man was not voted the Bundesliga player of the year last season for no reason.
LM: Antony Martial: 6
Another unimpressive performance from the youngster who shone so brightly last season. Showed some real promise with his direct running in the opening minutes but could not get past Walker and, when he did, his end product was poor. It is worth Mourinho persisting with the Frenchman on the left wing of a 4-3-3, however, as Martial has bucket loads of potential. It would be very grim if Martial was discarded after a few poor performances in the same way that Memphis Depay has been. Confidence can be a big factor in the growth/regression of promising youngsters.
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovi?: 7
The big Swede led United’s line effectively up front, holding the ball up when under pressure from Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen and laying off to the onrushing wingers. Set up Pogba smartly in the second minute which the Frenchman should have buried. Tested Lloris in the first half with a near post shot but was unable to find the back of the net.
Subs
Marcus Rashford: 6
Replaced the ineffective Martial in the 71st minute and did not look any more threatening than the Frenchman. Gave Walker something to think defensive but spent most of his time on the pitch in his own half.
Eric Bailly: N/A
Came on for the injured Mkhitaryan in the 84th minute to shore up United’s defence with Spurs pushing for an equaliser. Played at right back and looked reasonably comfortable there with Valencia moving to right wing.
Marouane Fellaini: N/A
Despite many people’s predictions, the Belgian is still a favourite of Mourinho’s despite his costly error against Everton the previous weekend. Came on in the 96th minute and did not touch the ball, to everyone’s relief.
