Manchester United 0-3 Tottenham: Player ratings Johnson, Kulusevski and Solanke sink hapless 10-man United at Old Trafford
Manchester United were crushed 3-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday. Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke all struck apiece to give the Lilywhites a big win at Old Trafford. The Red Devils were also reduced to 10-men in the first half as Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card for catching James Maddison.
The loss extended United’s winless run to three games in all competitions, and the second league game in a row wherein they’ve failed to find the back of the net. With a third loss in six top-flight matches, Manchester United are down in 12th position of the league table with just seven points in the bag, whereas Tottenham are up in eighth place.
Manchester United Player Ratings vs Tottenham Hotspur
Goalkeeper
Andre Onana – 7
The Manchester United custodian made a series of big saves to prevent Tottenham Hotspur from running away with the game. He was hounded by Spurs’ marauding forwards but kept his cool to make vital saves, even producing a fine stop on Timo Werner one-on-one after 39 minutes. Perhaps the only United player who didn’t deserve to be on the losing side tonight.
Defenders
Noussair Mazraoui – 7
The Moroccan international was a battering ram on the right, key to impeding Tottenham’s movements and winning back possession. He made two clearances and five tackles, while also winning five ground duels out of seven.
Matthijs de Ligt – 5.5
A relatively quiet game for De Ligt, who struggled to cope with the intensity of the clash and left a lot to be desired in terms of his positioning and communication with fellow defenders. He grew into the game late on, though, and made a few vital blocks.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
With De Ligt struggling to impose himself in the game, Martinez stepped up to the plate and delivered with aplomb. He showed impeccable vision and willingness at the back, making four clearances and six interceptions. He also attempted to get his side forward with a couple of long balls.
Diogo Dalot – 6.5
His forward movements were restricted as Spurs kept him busy at the back but Dalot looked solid for most of the time. He registered two clearances, interceptions and tackles each. The Portuguese was eve involved in a few duels and came up trumps most of the time.
Midfielders
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
After Fernandes was sent off, Ten Hag sacrificed Mainoo by taking him off in the 45th minute and introducing Mason Mount to make up for the loss of attacking flair with the playmaker’s departure. Until his substitution, though, the youngster hadn’t really offered any great shakes in the game, besides one key pass.
Manuel Ugarte – 6.5
Manuel Ugarte passed the ball around well, registering over 90% success rate. He also won six of his nine ground duels, which shows how prolific he was at regaining possession. Additionally, the Uruguayan made four tackles, a further reflection of his importance in breaking down Tottenham’s movements.
Forwards
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
One solid attempt in the 37th minute saw him hit the woodwork before the ball went out for a goal-kick. Besides, the Spaniard was sloppy in possession, losing it 18 times during the game, and also coming a cropper in his duels.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
The Portuguese playmaker was struggling to impose himself in the game with Spurs not letting him enough time and space on the ball. However, it all went from bad to worse for him in the 42nd minute when Fernandes caught James Maddison high up and earned himself a red card, leaving Manchester United to play with 10-men for the entirety of the second half.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Marcus Rashford’s struggles continued following another terrible game that ended goalless for him. The fact that he failed to muster a single shot in the match is a damning indictment of his lack of attacking flair. His only saving grace were his willingness to compete for the ball, as the Manchester United forward won five of his six ground duels.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Another disappointing figure in attack, Joshua Zirkzee failed to really test Spurs in defense. He mustered just one shot on target in the game and it was comfortably saved by Vicario. Having seen enough, Ten Hag hooked him off at the break.
Substitutes
Mason Mount – 5
He failed to add anything meaningful to United’s attack.
Casemiro – 6.5
The Brazilian came in the second half and added a lot of muscle to Manchester United’s midfield.
Manager
Erik ten Hag – 4
Fears of a sack are getting real again for Erik ten Hag, who may not survive another stinker. Manchester United’s Premier League campaign is going off the rails already, and the Dutchman should be prepared to face questions over his future again.
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Tottenham Player Ratings vs Manchester United
Goalkeeper
Guglielmo Vicario – 7
With Manchester United rarely threatening, Vicario had a relatively easy game between the sticks. He had to make only two saves and distributed the ball well.
Defenders
Pedro Porro – 6.5
Pedro Porro stationed himself in midfield and helped his side break down Manchester United’s fragile defense. He made three clearances and blocked one shot, while also laying two key passes.
Cristian Romero – 7
The pass-master of the day with over 100 passes completed, Romero was key to building from the back for Spurs. His positioning was spot on and demonstrated excellent vision to make vital interventions. However, he came a cropper in his duels, winning just one of his four ground duels and none of his two aerial duels.
Micky van de Ven – 7.5
He was the architect of Tottenham’s opening goal, pouncing on a loose ball to drive forward before crossing it for Johnson to tap home. He completed 85 of his 87 passes too, while registering one clearance and one blocked shot.
Destiny Udogie – 7
A menacing presence down the left for Spurs with his speed, guile and vision, Udogie even set up a wonderful chance in the 20th minute that culminated with Johnson hitting the woodwork. He also won four of his seven ground duels and attempted two shots at goal, albeit both were off target.
Midfielders
Dejan Kulusevski – 8.5
A creative inspiration for Spurs throughout the match, Kulusevski poked holes in Manchester United’s defense with his sleek passing and devastating link-up plays. He laid nine key passes and doubled his side’s advantage in the second half with a clinical strike, his first of the Premier League season.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 7
Playing as the lone defensive midfielder comes with its challenges, but Rodrigo Bentancur dispensed them with aplomb. He offered great resistance to Manchester United’s movements while also distributing the ball around well. He registered a 96% pass completion rate and laid two key passes too.
James Maddison – 7
James Maddison’s fine run of form continued with another eye-catching display at Old Trafford, marked with his excellent ball control, passing range and impeccable crossing. The former Leicester City man laid three crosses, won six of his 10 ground duels and had two shots on target too.
Forwards
Brennan Johnson – 7.5
He put Tottenham Hotspur in front after just three minutes into the kick-off with a simple tap-in, although the goal was all about Van de Ven’s brilliance in the buildup. Besides that goalscoring moment, however, Johnson had a rather quiet game, seeing less of the ball but did hit the woodwork once.
Dominic Solanke – 7.5
Dominic Solanke put the final nail in Manchester United’s coffin, toeing the ball into the back of the net from close range after Pape Matar Sarr flicked on a corner for him to chase. He was a big threat coming from Spurs as the Red Devils had to be on their toes whenever he had the ball, while making two more attempts on-target in the match, albeit they were saved by Onana.
Timo Werner – 6
The Tottenham Hotspur attacker missed two golden chances to score when one-on-one with Andre Onana. He was sloppy on the ball too, losing possession 17 times in the game.
Substitutes
Djed Spence – 6
He replaced Udogie at the break but struggled to make his impact.
Mikey Moore – 5
He didn’t see much off the ball.
Lucas Bergvall – 6.5
He laid the corner which led to Tottenham’s third goal of the night.
Pape Matar Sarr – 6.5
He laid it off for Solanke to net their third goal.
Radu Dragusin – 6
The game was almost over by the time he came on.
Manager
Ange Postecoglou – 7
Truly a statement victory for Ange Postecoglu and his team, as Tottenham Hotspur completely humbled Manchester United in their own backyard. With a fourth consecutive win, Spurs are breathing fire at the moment, as their Premier League campaign is slowly taking off.
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