Cristian Romero’s red card unlocked the game for Manchester United, who didn’t take long to pounce and score the winner.
It’s now four wins in four games for Michael Carrick during his tenure as interim manager. Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring not long after the Spurs were reduced to ten men, while Bruno Fernandes sealed the deal in the 81st minute.
The game was actually tight before Cristian Romero’s sending off 28 minutes in. After that, however, it was basically all United.
| Man United-Tottenham stats | Before red card (0′-28′) | After red card (28′-90′) |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 53% – 47% | 71% – 29% |
| Shots (on target) | 7 (1) – 5 (1) | 16 (9) – 2 (0) |
| Final third entries | 17 – 15 | 60 – 23 |
When it was 11v11, both teams accepted the opposition’s ‘turn’ to dominate the ball. The Red Devils had 76% in the first 10 minutes, while the guests dominated the following 10 minutes with 83% possession.
And despite the balance in play, Man United looked more dangerous in their advances. The very first play of the game was a fast break that ended in an Mbeumo shot.
Carrick’s men looked like they were going to keep the tendency of playing a more direct style. But even before Romero’s red card, showed a lot more patience than in the previous three games.
The former midfielder actually named an unchanged starting XI compared to the win over Fulham last week. He has now already kept the same team in consecutive matches more often in his short tenure than Ruben Amorim in his whole stint.
Meanwhile, Thomas Frank performed a few tweaks. Joao Palhinha went back to midfield after spending two games as a right-centre-back in a back-three.
The 4-3-3 in possession became a 4-4-2 out of possession due to Conor Gallagher’s work rate and energy. It’s a promising look that can bear fruit going forward and make them recover the ball quicker than usual and bother the opposition. When Romero was sent off, however, the new signing went to right midfield to cover for Wilson Odobert, who left the game for Radu Dragusin.
It often felt like they had too many men surrounding the ball and leaving space elsewhere. That’s how Mbeumo broke through just 30 seconds into the game.
Speaking of Tottenham’s defensive strategy, it’s still a work in progress. Gallagher alone can probably make it better, but it will take time. As for the rest of the team, the fact that their press is still uncoordinated is a testament to how poor of a job Thomas Frank has done so far. But there seems to be hope that he turns around once he has most of the players available for selection.
This problem also manifested in other ways. Their man-oriented marking had everyone but the centre-backs chasing their men for long distances. When it wasn’t Bruno Fernandes finding pockets behind Spurs’ midfield line that jumped up, Mbeumo dropped deep without Romero or Micky van de Ven on his back.
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Man United managed to access this dangerous central zone quite a lot even when it was 11v11.
But Tottenham had promising moves that could have led to dangerous situations had they not played with 10 men. Xavi Simons started as a left-winger but had total freedom to roam around and even join Odobert on the right.
Diogo Dalot obviously didn’t chase him across the pitch and led to an overload away from the left side. Their best chance in the game actually came from a Simons cross from the right side, but Gallagher fired straight at Senne Lammens.
After the red card, Carrick maintained the aggressiveness from his holding midfielders. It was a big part in their attacking strategy and pushing Tottenham backwards.
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Only Bruno Fernandes had more shot attempts (8) than Casemiro (4) and chances created (6) than Kobbie Mainoo (4).
The Brazilian often found himself in the number 10 spot looking to receive the ball and fire at goal with no second thought. Mainoo, on the other hand, played a more controlled and creative role, getting the team forwards through progressive carries and passes.
United also had great short passing sequences in tight spaces. They have adopted a more direct style this season and Carrick hasn’t really messed with this dynamic so far. Of course, facing Manchester City and Arsenal straight away makes it easier to do that.
But we might be transitioning a little bit more to his preferred style that he showed at Middlesbrough. Shorter passing, dominating actions and establishing the whole team in the attacking half with more patience and cadence.
If that is going to be the case, the early signs indicate that they will be just fine doing that. Tottenham don’t impose the most solid press to break, but the overall quality in the United squad is just too much for it not to work.
Their first goal is great proof of that. A slick set-piece move straight off the training ground with quick and smart short passes finished off beautifully by Mbeumo.
Now they start to drift into an easier part of the schedule. Up next are West Ham and Everton away, followed by Crystal Palace at home.