After not losing for 25 Premier League games, Manchester United have now lost two in a row, after being beaten 2-1 at White Hart Lane.
Goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane gave Tottenham the perfect send off to life at the Lane, with Wayne Rooney grabbing a consolation goal for United in the second half.
Jose Mourinho made several changes to his team once again, with many first-choice players rested with the Europa League final in mind. Axel Tuanzebe started in midfield, Eric Bailly was moved to right back and Anthony Martial started up front. Marcus Rashford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Ander Herrera all dropped to the bench, while David De Gea was recalled to the starting XI after being left out for the Europa League semi-final on Thursday night.
United lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system that lacked balance and quality. Spurs were dominant in midfield and United tried to close the space. Rooney, Lingard and Mata all tried to play in more central areas to create numerical advantages for Manchester United and give them an opportunity to dominate the ball in the central space. Unfortunately for United, Spurs had more energy and more than enough quality on the ball to win it back and play through and around United at will.
Tottenham Hotspur dominated Manchester United in the first half at WHL. Credit: Squawka.
Tottenham were superior in almost every aspect of the first half. They moved the ball superbly well, showed intensity in their movement both in and out of possession, created a whole host of chances and scored the opening goal from a well worked corner routine. Manchester United couldn’t get near them. What was more worrying for Jose Mourinho was how impotent United were when they did get the ball.
Part of that stems from his use of a 19-year-old central defender as a holding midfield player. In only his second Premier League appearance, Axel Tuanzebe was responsible for nullifying this electric Tottenham attacking unit, but part of his role is to use possession intelligently to move United up the pitch, starting the attacking phases from deep positions. It simply isn’t his game.
Aside from Mourinho’s unusual selection, United were unable to create anything in an attacking sense because they didn’t have the quality in transition. With Rooney, Lingard and Mata playing behind Martial, there was very little pace to supplement the counter-attack and support the lone forward. Coupled with United’s narrow defensive structure, Martial was isolated and suffocated as a result, giving United very few options once they wrestled the ball back from Spurs.
Martial’s isolation was a particularly disappointing aspect of the performance this afternoon. Despite his ability to isolate defenders and thrive in 1 vs 1 scenarios, Manchester United did not get players up the pitch in support of him often enough. The energy and talent that was on display was wasted. A crying shame.
Anthony Martial was isolated against Spurs but still created two chances, including an assist. Credit: Squawka.
Despite how infrequently Martial received the ball, he still created two chances and had two efforts on goal himself. His assist for Rooney’s goal was a wonderful piece of attacking skill, beating Kieran Trippier all ends up before finding his captain in the box who’s deflected strike beat Hugo Lloris. It was a snapshot into the young Frenchman’s considerable ability, it is just a pity United could not utilise that more effectively.
One of the reasons United had trouble supplying Anthony Martial was Wayne Rooney. Blaming Rooney seems like a predictable and easy excuse but it isn’t one without merit. As an integral part of Manchester United’s attacking structure, Rooney plays an important role in linking defence to attack. His performance against a young, ferocious Tottenham team only served to highlight that he is finished at an elite level.
Yes, Rooney did score. Yes, Rooney did create a chance for Martial in the first half. No, that is not enough. He is no longer effective in these big games. He doesn’t have the mobility to get around the pitch the way he once did, he is not sharp enough to operate in tight areas and he doesn’t have the energy to withstand the intensity in the pivotal matches in a Premier League season. He is just a yard or two off the pace, but it makes all the difference. As United attempt to play catch up to those around them, they cannot carry any passengers.
There is little more to say, to be completely honest. Jose Mourinho was not interested in this match. Manchester United’s season did not hinge on a result at White Hart Lane. It was tough to watch, but losing did not hurt the way it would have done earlier in the season. All United fans are waiting. Waiting for Stockholm. On the 24th May, Manchester United and Jose Mourinho face a season-defining match against Ajax. Win it and they’ll have had a successful campaign. Lose and United will be in turmoil. Inconsequential Premier League matches pale in comparison to that.
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