Manchester United’s performance in their clash against Tottenham left much to be desired, with several key players struggling throughout the game. Despite some bright moments, it was an overall disappointing display, which ended in a defeat for United.
The goalkeeper had a crucial role in keeping the scoreline from getting worse, pulling off important saves. Notably, he denied Timo Werner and James Maddison in one-on-one situations when the score was 1-0 and later at 2-0. These saves kept United in the game longer than they might have been otherwise. His individual effort earned him some credit, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the loss.
Noussair Mazraoui had a difficult time defensively, especially when going up against Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie. Mazraoui received little help from Alejandro Garnacho, who was ineffective in tracking back to assist in defense. Tottenham’s quick movements and dynamic attack posed significant problems for Mazraoui, who struggled to keep pace and was exposed on several occasions. His performance was below par, contributing to United’s struggles on the right side.
Matthijs de Ligt, one of United’s Dutch defenders, had a particularly tough time dealing with Tottenham’s high-tempo play. Compared to his Dutch teammate on the field, de Ligt’s performance was notably weaker. Tottenham’s energy and pace consistently troubled him, and he appeared unsettled throughout the match, unable to impose himself defensively.
Lisandro Martinez continued his rough start to the season. His distribution in the buildup to Tottenham’s second goal was poor, as he made a critical error that allowed the opposition to capitalize. Martinez’s over-eagerness was also a problem, with him diving into tackles headfirst, which only added to his problems on the day. His defensive lapses contributed directly to United’s downfall.
Diogo Dalot, who has been playing out of position at left-back, once again showed that this experiment is not working. He was particularly shaken by Tottenham’s first goal, raising his arms in frustration before Brennan Johnson added to the score. Dalot’s performance lacked composure, and his defensive contribution was minimal, leading to more pressure on United’s backline.
Manuel Ugarte, in his first Premier League appearance, had a debut to forget. He misjudged a crucial situation that led to Micky van de Ven’s opening goal for Tottenham. Ugarte struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League and was left chasing the game. His late inclusion in United’s starting XI did not help, and he was overwhelmed by the intensity of Tottenham’s midfield.
Kobbie Mainoo showed some promise before being substituted in the first half due to injury. He created a good opportunity for Joshua Zirkzee before being forced off and replaced by Mason Mount. Mainoo’s injury was a blow to United, as he was one of the few players showing some creativity and attacking intent.
Alejandro Garnacho, despite struggling defensively, gave United a glimmer of hope when he hit the post with a well-taken volley while Tottenham was leading 1-0. Garnacho worked hard to get United back into the match, showing flashes of his potential, but ultimately, his efforts were in vain as the team couldn’t find a breakthrough.
Bruno Fernandes had an extremely poor game and his day got even worse when he was sent off for a reckless challenge on James Maddison. His dismissal came after a lackluster performance in which he struggled to make any significant impact on the game. His challenge was deemed excessive, and the red card only added to United’s misery.
Marcus Rashford also had a tough outing. He lost possession in the buildup to Tottenham’s first goal, and despite delivering a cross for Garnacho’s chance, he spent much of the game on the back foot. Rashford’s usual attacking threat was muted, and his defensive work rate was not enough to prevent Tottenham from dominating the game.
In summary, Manchester United’s defeat to Tottenham was a collective failure, with several players underperforming. Defensive mistakes, poor midfield control, and a lack of cohesion up front all contributed to a frustrating outing for the Red Devils.
