Michael Carrick made it four wins from four as Manchester United landed a confident 2-0 victory over toothless Tottenham, with the visitors' misery compounded by Cristian Romero's second sending off of the season.
The Spurs captain had been defended by Thomas Frank in the week after an outburst on social media criticised the club's "disgraceful" lack of depth - Frank labelled the comments "passionate" and opted to field him as part of a revamped back four anyway, only for him to see red for a rash challenge on Casemiro in the 29th minute.
Romero has now been sent off six times across all competitions since his Spurs debut in August 2021 - more than any other player in the competition in that period.
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Romero sent off for challenge on Casemiro
The Soccer Saturday team discuss Cristian Romero's sending off for a challenge on Casemiro during Spurs' match at Manchester United
The home side's opener arrived nine minutes later via a well-worked set-piece. Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo were both involved, allowing Bryan Mbeumo to tuck home his eighth goal of a fruitful campaign. United's co-ordination in attack was impressive despite the scarcity of more goals, needing a flurry of late chances to finally yield a game-sealing second thanks to Fernandes in the 81st minute.
The same cannot be said of Spurs. Under Frank, Tottenham are winless when trailing at the break and so it proved again, with Romero's dismissal raising more questions over the management of a squad decimated by injuries, but surely better than the 14th place they find themselves in. Even with a full complement of players in the first half they looked blunt.
Carrick's audition for the permanent role at Old Trafford continues to go from strength to strength, cementing their position inside the top four, while Frank's credit is surely waning. Spurs have slumped to their 10th defeat and are only nine points above the Premier League drop zone.
More to follow.
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