Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in what was a truly impressive display in front of the Old Trafford crowd.
It was a match of pure attacking dominance from Man United, who looked to make the visitors suffer after they went a man down following a red card.
First half
In the opening few minutes, it seemed to be the visitors who were more comfortable on the ball, but United’s defence held steady, with Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw making crucial tackles.
Ten minutes in, United started to push the envelope, with Casemiro taking a surgical shot from far range to force a save from the goalkeeper.
Seconds later, Spurs were back on the attack, with Wilson Odobert sending a threatening cross to Conor Gallagher, who was waiting in the centre of the box. While Gallagher got a foot to the ball, Senne Lammens did well to scoop up his attempt.
In the 22nd minute, Amad Diallo burst forward, passing to Bruno Fernandes in the centre. Unfortunately, his first-touch shot breezed wide of the left post. Had he been on target, the goalkeeper would have had no chance of saving his effort.
Three minutes later, Matheus Cunha was brought down as he entered the box, yet the referee ignored the calls for a penalty. It seemed as if United were edging closer to finding a breakthrough.
Amad was causing trouble for the Spurs’ defence yet again, with Udogie receiving a yellow card for pulling the United winger down.
In the 29th minute, Christian Romero was shown his marching orders. As Casemiro received the ball on the edge of the box, the Spurs captain committed a rough foul on Casemiro, digging his studs into the Brazilian’s ankle. The referee showed no hesitation as he brandished a red card for Romero, while awarding United an opportune free kick.
With eight minutes left in the half, United took the lead courtesy of a stunning Bryan Mbeumo strike.
Fernandes took a short corner to Amad, who picked out Mbeumo on the edge of the box. The Cameroonian struck his shot hard and low into the bottom right corner, far out of the keeper’s reach. It was a spectacular goal, not to mention a witty set piece by Michael Carrick’s men.
Soon after the restart, United were on the attack again, seeking to double their lead. Mbeumo thumped in a corner, although a stubborn Spurs defence knocked the ball back to him. Mbeumo’s second cross found Casemiro, whose header was tipped over the crossbar by Guglielmo Vicario.
United had another corner soon after, with Mbeumo finding the head of Casemiro yet again. Because the Brazilian was running from so far out, he knicked the ball with his head, but the shot went wide as he fell into the net. Still, it was another promising move from United.
Amad received a yellow card for a mistimed challenge on Xavi Simons.
Five minutes of stoppage time were awarded, handing United ample time to double their lead before the half-time whistle.
The referee blew the whistle for half-time, bringing an end to a decent half of football for United. Carrick would have no doubt wanted his team to continue this form going into the second 45 minutes.
Second half
Just three minutes after the restart, it seemed that United had doubled their lead when Shaw received a cross on the left and tapped the ball to Amad in the centre, who buried the ball in the net. Unfortunately, he was ruled offside.
Fernandes passed the ball to Casemiro, who was just left of centre, with the Brazilian taking a promising shot that the goalkeeper saved. It was an impressive showing so far from the midfield veteran.
In the 59th minute, United were back on the prowl, with Shaw thumping a thunderous shot which the keeper parried out for a corner.
Mbeumo whipped in a threatening cross, with Vicario denying United yet again by blocking a shot from Dalot.
United earned another free kick, with Casemiro getting on the end of the cross and taking a shot, with the rebound falling to Shaw, whose shot was blocked as well. The hosts seemed to be pulling out all the stops to give the fans an entertaining match.
Cunha was pulled down outside the box, giving United another free kick. The visitors’ defence held steady, blasting the cross out of danger. Still, it was United who retained possession.
United seemed to have scored a second goal when Cunha intercepted the ball in the final third. He passed to Amad, who sent a through ball back to him. Cunha composed himself and scored, only for the linesman to flag him offside.
With 15 minutes left to play, Carrick made his first substitution, bringing on Benjamin Sesko for Cunha.
Mbeumo received a ball from Mainoo, which he threaded into the centre, only for Spurs to knock it out for a corner. Unfortunately, the corner was easily dealt with.
Fernandes attempted a shot from far, which the keeper did well to catch.
With less than 10 minutes to play, United finally got the goal they were looking for. Dalot thumped a cross toward Sesko, who attempted to head the ball but couldn’t reach it. Still, Fernandes timed his run perfectly, pouncing on the loose ball and thumping it into the net. 2-0 to United.
In the 85th minute, Amad controlled a cross with a perfect first touch, laying the ball off to Mbeumo, who drove his shot over the crossbar.
Carrick made a triple change with just three minutes to go. Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, and Joshua Zirkzee came on for Shaw, Casemiro, and Mbeumo.
The third official showed five added minutes on his board as Mainoo came off for Tyler Fletcher.
It was another terrific performance for United under Carrick, with the team remaining in a lucrative fourth place as the Old Trafford crowd made their jubilation known.
Starting XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo
Subs: Sesko, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Zirkzee, Fletcher
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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