Tottenham had won their last two matches against United at Old Trafford and there was good cause for optimism in them making it a hat trick of victories. In United's defeat to Arsenal in the FA cup during the week they looked disjointed, bereft of ideas, confused as to what their game plan was. It is no coincidence that guessing what a United starting line up will look like is an attempt in futility. Tottenham on the other hand had responded well to their defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup and to Fiorentina in the Europa League with victories over QPR and Swansea. A Tottenham victory would put them level on points with United in the hunt for a top four finish and in Harry Kane Spurs have the England national teams new Messiah. So put the house on a Spurs win right? This is why I don't bet on football any more. United came out and played as if Alex Ferguson was once again sitting in the dug out. We have not seen the play like this since the opening few games of the season, they played like a team. Suddenly, everyone wanted the ball, Fellaini and Young looked confident, Rooney looked dangerous. This was what the United fans at Old Trafford had been waiting for.
It didn't start so well for United with some nervous touches by Phil Jones one of which a back pass to De Gea that had the United goalie scrambling to prevent an early goal for Tottenham. All those nerves were dispersed, however, when United took the lead. Michael Carrick found himself in lots of space and had time to slip Fellaini through on goal who showed rare composure to slot past Lloris in the Tottenham goal. Suddenly United were a new team, as were Tottenham who now seemed to not want to be in the game. Fellaini was involved in everything good for United and Rooney seemed a new man after finally been released of his midfield shackles to lead the line in a position where he was born to play.
After 19 minutes United were 2-0 up. A corner from the left was kept alive by Fellaini and finally the ball came to Carrick who again had space to head impressively past the despairing dive of Lloris.
It was on the left wing that United were getting most joy and shortly after their 2nd goal winger Andros Townsend was substituted by Tottenham manager Pochettino in favour of the more steely Moussa Dembele in an attempt to stem the United flow. However, things were shortly to get worse for Spurs. Nabil Bentaleb inexplicably gifting the ball to Rooney who then waltzed past some statuesque defending from the Spurs centre halfs to finish clinically past the helpless Lloris. This was the Rooney of old. United were on fire and Spurs were on the ropes and grateful for the half time bell.
The second half was more or less uneventful with United content to play a little more conservatively and let Tottenham commit their men forward. As Tottenham were not able to raise their game United were happy to play the ball around. Mata, Rooney and Fellaini were particulary involved in most of United's good play. In fact, it was not until the last minute of normal time that Spurs and Kane had a clear chance with De Gea grateful to smother the ball under his diving body. Spurs were as happy as the United fans to hear the final whistle. Both sets of fans will leave with plenty food for thought.
For United it will be on whether they have finally found a working and winning formation. When you have huge investments like Falcao and Di Maria the powers that be will be keen that they get game time. On this evidence, for the time being, United looked better without them. Mata especially took his opportunity, eager for the ball and driving at the Spurs defence given the opportunity. There was no doubting what the United fans opinion was, giving Mata a rousing round of applause as he left the field to be replaced by debutant 19 year old Andreas Pereira. Rooney as well seemed re-invigorated, running the channels left and right. It was obvious that this is where he wants to play full time. United are now a point behind 3rd placed Arsenal and 2 behind second placed Manchester City and this when all would largely agree that they have been playing within their potential. If this is the start of something more consistent then United fans have cause for optimism as they enter a period in which they have some challenging games.
Those who feel, like me, that Spurs are not quite ready to threaten the top four placings will have received more ammunition from this game. From the moment Fellaini put United ahead Tottenham looked like they were not up for the game. How much did they miss the guile of Erikson in linking the play from midfield to attack. On this evidence a lot. The good news for Tottenham fans is that this should just be a blip for them in what has been a very encouraging season so far. If they can keep hold of their best young players i.e. Harry Kane and add some quality in the summer then there is no reason that they can't make the breakthrough next season.
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