Manchester United secured a 2-0 win over 10-man Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes.
The victory underlined United’s growing confidence and tactical clarity, particularly in big fixtures.
Here are four key things we learned from the game.
Bryan Mbeumo is proving to be one of **Manchester United**’s smartest signings of the season.
The forward, who arrived from Brentford in the summer for a fee close to £70 million, recorded his 10th goal of the campaign with a superb finish from a well-worked corner routine.
More importantly, Mbeumo continues to deliver in high-pressure fixtures, having now scored against Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham away, and Tottenham at Old Trafford.
His ability to perform consistently in “big six” clashes highlights not only his quality but also his mentality at the top level. From an individual standpoint, Mbeumo has been one of United’s standout performers this season, contributing goals at crucial moments. His impact could prove decisive in **Manchester United**’s pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Set-Pieces Are Becoming a Major Weapon for United
Manchester United’s strength from set-pieces was once again evident, with their opening goal coming from a meticulously rehearsed corner routine. Bruno Fernandes intelligently teed the ball into the path of Kobbie Mainoo, whose clever reverse pass found Mbeumo on the edge of the box. The finish was composed and precise, gliding past Guglielmo Vicario into the bottom corner.
This goal marked United’s 15th set-piece goal of the season, placing them second in the Premier League behind Arsenal (17). The consistency of these routines underlines how integral set pieces have become to United’s attacking strategy, offering them a reliable source of goals even when open-play chances are limited.
Game Management Improved After Romero’s Red Card
Tottenham’s task became significantly harder after captain Cristian Romero was sent off, but Manchester United still needed to manage the game effectively. United showed greater maturity in controlling possession, slowing the tempo when necessary, and exploiting numerical superiority without becoming reckless.
Rather than forcing the issue, United patiently moved the ball and waited for openings, demonstrating improved composure compared to earlier performances this season. This ability to manage matches against top opposition could be vital in the run-in.
This victory felt like more than just three points. Performances such as this combining tactical discipline, set-piece efficiency, and big-game contributors, suggest United are building momentum at a crucial stage of the season. Wins against direct rivals strengthen belief within the squad and reinforce the idea that United are capable of sustaining a top-four challenge.
If United can maintain this level of consistency, particularly in decisive fixtures, Champions League football looks increasingly achievable.