Man United 2-2 Tottenham: A Mixed Bag To Start The Year!
Manchester United’s first Premier League game of the new year took place against Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side who started the season with a fresh set of energy that had been lacking since the heights of Mauricio Pochettino’s era.
After going 10 games unbeaten, they’ve been plagued with a dip caused by injuries, and a lack of consistency overall centred around key players being in and out of a squad that runs thin without them.
Manchester United travelled into this game fresh off a 2-0 FA Cup victory against Wigan Athletic. Not convincing by any means, but a pathway into the fourth round. You can read more about the game by pressing here!
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe attended his first game as potential 25% minority owner of the club, sitting next to Sir Alex Ferguson. No doubt in deep discussion even before kick off about what the future may hold post ratification.
Onto the game however, Manchester United started with a level of energy that the Old Trafford crowd demanded. All of this resulted in Rasmus Hojlund scoring his second League goal in successive appearances. Silencing doubters somewhat with a smashing finish into Vicario’s top corner. The Dane’s strike beat Tottenham’s new goalkeeper with brute force, and splendid accuracy.
If you haven’t regularly watched Erik ten Hag’s side this season, expect lapses in concentration, intensity dips and tense moments that can usually be discovered if listening to the Old Trafford crowd. Unless they are away from home of course. Spurs pushed further forward after conceding, with the home side’s backline withstanding growing pressure as the clock ticked. Eventually, time ran out, with Richarlison’s glancing header tying the game, scoring his sixth goal of the campaign. Stepping up for the Lilywhites as of late.
Another positive of the half was seeing Marcus Rashford emphatically put the Red Devils back into the lead after a slick combination with Rasmus Hojlund. Vicario once again well beaten. That’s four goal involvements in his last four games. Overall performances may still be frustrating, but it seems like numerical returns are once more a part of his repertoire. The question is, will that be enough for Manchester United fans who are seemingly becoming irritated by the academy graduates’ inconsistent stretches, despite a 30 goal season in 22/23?
Upon the second half whistle’s arrival, Erik ten Hag hadn’t even arrived back to the dugout before Rodrigo Bentancur was able to obtain Spurs’ second equaliser, beating the Cameroonian Andre Onana with quickness much like United’s opener in the first half. Silencing that Old Trafford crowd once more.
The second half was a cagey encounter that occasionally opened up for both sides. Substitute Scott Mctominay came close to giving United a third lead but unfortunately dragged his shot wide from just outside of the area, and even a header in added time that he potentially should’ve done much better with flew over the bar.
Spurs looked slick in possession in the second period, but lacked true bite upfront which may be a reflection of who they’re missing at this moment of time. Those players include Son Heung Min, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison
United received a boost defensively seeing the return of Lisandro Martinez, making his first appearance since September. Casemiro also returned to the match day squad without an appearance off the bench. Some positives, and negatives to think about while we await the winner of Tuesday’s FA Cup replay between Eastleigh and Newport County. Manchester United will be travelling to one of those two sides on January 28th.
How did you assess the game and each team’s performance? Have your say in the comment section, and feel free to follow my accounts on X, TikTok, and YouTube where I’ll be providing extra Man Utd content and updates.
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