Manchester United 1-6 Tottenham Hotspur: 6 Things We Learned

Immeasurable disappointment swept across Man United fans around the globe. That is how devastating a loss they suffered against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday with 1-6 on the final score line.

The Old Trafford outfit came undone in the fixture despite leading the scoreboard in the opening minutes via a Bruno Fernandes penalty. The traveling side kept their head up and were back in the game in a mere few minutes of clever football with Tanguy Ndombele equalizing and Heung-Min Son giving them a lead by the 7^th minute.

It ought to have been game on from there but Anthony Martial’s scuffle inside the box resulted in a red card. Following that, United’s lineup crumbled, letting in goal after goal. Harry Kane got a couple to his name, including a penalty, and Son was able to add to his tally while Serge Aurier netted another.

 

1. Precedent Broken

This loss is shattering precedent for United. In fact, this is the first time in the Premier League era that a side has scored 4 goals against the Red Devils in the first-half at Old Trafford.

The enormity of this loss stretches back to decades altogether and is a shocking heavy defeat for the Mancunian side. In fact, this game holds a candle to another 6-1 home loss at the hands of Manchester City back in 2011.

Further still, this is the first time in the club’s history that they have lost both of their opening home fixtures of the season.

How Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side plan on recovering from this is bound to be intriguing.

 

2. Woeful Defending

While it was Martial, a striker, who picked up a red card in the middle of the game, it was United’s centre-backs who appeared absent for much of the fixture.

The follies of Harry Maguire were the most obvious. For the opening goal, the centre-back made an utter mess of things. For Kane’s quick assist to Son, the captain was just standing dumb-founded and was likewise invisible and utterly powerless for three of the other four goals United went on to concede.

Eric Bailly, brought on in place of Victor Lindelof to secure the backline botched affairs by being switched off for nearly all of the crucial moments in the game.

 

3. Kane’s Excellent Game

Harry Kane was beyond excellence at Old Trafford.

While much is said about the English striker’s knack for scoring goals, on Sunday spectators got a sublime taste of his creative prowess too.

His quick thinking in taking the freekick rapidly and passing it to Son changed the entire dynamic of the fixture. Likewise, his penalty goal to end things was his 7^th goal already this campaign.

 

4. Martial’s Red Card

When it comes to talking about game-changing moments, Martial’s red card effectively settled the entire fixture.

Even there controversy spewed as the VAR check that found both the French striker and Erik Lamela were guilty of contact. As such, it can be argued Martial’s sending off ought to have extended to the Spurs player too.

Thereon, United completely lost all hope. It will be interesting to see whether it will be Edinson Cavani or Odion Ighalo that gets the start as Martial sees off his first game of suspension after the international break.

 

5. Spurs Week

In the build-up to this game, there was plenty of speculation as to whether or not Jose Mourinho would attribute a potential loss at Old Trafford to the crowded fixture list that Spurs had to deal with in the past week.

However, now it can be effectively said that Mourinho wouldn’t mind another game or two given the run the London side have been on.

In their four games played in the last week, Tottenham haven netted 15 goals, gained progression in the Europa League and Carabao Cup, and secured wins against Chelsea and Manchester United.

Not a bad run at all.

 

6. Time Is Ticking

Deadline day is upon us and Manchester United only have until 11PM UK time on Monday to sort out their affairs with regard to transfer business.

With three players reported to be coming in- Alex Telles at left-back, Edinson Cavani at striker, and Facundo Pellistri a potential prospect at right-forward, late activity has been sanctioned by Ed Woodward already.

However, after this game a solution to defensive issues is being begged for and it will be interesting to see if any other deal is made by then.