It is sometimes said that when you hit rock bottom, you can only bounce back. However, this football gruel proposed by Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United against Tottenham is not new… Or perhaps it was a special issue, as we came so close to disaster at Old Trafford. Confusedly weak, Manchester United were beaten 3-0, which would almost be a miracle considering the gulf that separated the two teams this evening. At the start of the match, it was Micky van de Ven who announced the color, or rather the darkness, of the Mancunian evening. The Dutch international embarked on a rush from his side of the field, penetrated the defense like butter, and put Johnson into orbit, who just had to push the ball into the back of the net (0-1 , 3rd).
On the goal, barely 180 seconds after the kick-off, the Mancunian attitude was reminiscent of that seen three days earlier against Twente… The white waves broke over Onana’s cage, but the goal was refused to the whole planet. Johnson hit the post, Romero’s scissor went just wide of the target, and Werner played Werner in his one-on-one with the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Overwhelmed, the Mancuniens plunged even further after the red card of their captain Bruno Fernandes, disillusioned and penalized for a sliding tackle that was anything but controlled (42nd). On the Red Devils side, the only two situations were to the credit of Zirkzee, then Garnacho, whose volley smashed Vicario’s post.
There was never a match
But as Manchester United rarely learns its lessons, Spurs made the break from the start of the second half, once again. Launched by Solanke, Brennan Johnson sent a perfect cross to Kulusevski, who intelligently deceived an Onana abandoned by his defense (47th, 0-2). Werner had the opportunity to extinguish the opposing hopes, but lost another face to face with the Cameroonian goalkeeper, a rare bright spot of the day. On the Manchester United side, there was not much to keep from this meeting, except this extra ephemeral soul instilled by the stands of Old Trafford.
Casemiro was very close to reducing the gap, Lisandro Martinez’s shot was deflected by van de Ven, Garnacho thought he had won a penalty… Finally, Solanke froze Old Trafford and turned off the power in the process. Receiving a corner from Bergvall, extended by Pape Matar Sarr, the Englishman propelled the ball into the back of the net (79th, 0-3). He was even close to the double, but lost his duel with Onana (90th). Of the “olée” on each pass from Tottenham even punctuated the end of the match and stretched out the torture at Old Trafford… This evening, Manchester United were outclassed, and are in 12th place in the championship, far from their natural habitat. Tottenham are 8th.
