MANCHESTER UNITED came out 2-0 victors over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Despite a dominant first-half, the Red Devils failed to take their chances as Hugo Lloris denied Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes with a couple of brilliant saves.
United’s opener came just minutes after the break as Fred’s deflected strike left Lloris rooted as Old Trafford erupted before Fernandes added a second with a fantastic curling striker.
The Portugal international thought he had a second, sitting Lloris down before finishing but the flag was up for offside.
Fernandes’ international teammate and unused substitute Cristiano Ronaldo then stormed down the tunnel before the full-time whistle was blown.
- RESULT: Man Utd 2-0 Spurs
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- Man United XI: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Antony, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford
- Spurs XI: Lloris, Doherty, Romero, Dier, Davies, Perisic, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Bissouma, Son, Kane
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United enjoying the rewards
Erik ten Hag has spoken about how pleased he was with so many areas of his side’s play this evening.
When asked whether he knew Ronaldo left the game early, the Dutch manager tried to play it down and said ‘tonight we celebrate the win, tomorrow I will deal with this.’
United have the tough challenge of a trip to Stamford Bridge on the weekend, it remains to be seen if CR7 will be in the matchday squad.
Credit: AFP Questions to be asked of Tottenham
Such is the competition for places in the Premier League that you have to win games against your rivals if you harbour any hopes of finishing in the ‘top four’.
Tottenham have come up against both Arsenal and Man Utd so far this season and lost both games comfortably.
Having won 7 games so far this season against clubs considered ‘lesser clubs’, Antonio Conte needs his team to be able to hurt the bigger teams also.
Tonight has been a further reality-check for Tottenham fans.
Bruno lights up Old Trafford
Bruno Fernandes put in a man of the match performance tonight against Tottenham and was integral from start to finish.
Bursting through the middle of park from the first whistle, ten Hag obviously identified that this would be a tactic in order to open up Tottenham.
The Portuguese midfielder put in a shift that we have not seen from him this season so far.
Topping off the display with an exquisite finish to seal the win.
That’s enough I’m Ron
Cristiano Ronaldo made a big statement this evening as he stormed off down the tunnel with four minutes or so of the game left.
After boss ten Hag made three substitutions, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner seemed annoyed to not be involved in the game at all.
We may have just seen the break-up between club and player which brings a sad end to the player’s Man Utd career.
Credit: Amazon FT: Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
The referee brings the game to a close.
A comfortable win for the Red Devils with goals from Fred and man of the match Bruno Fernandes.
Tottenham were well beaten this evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not stick around for the end of the game.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
90+4. Conte will be bitterly disappointed with his side’s display.
7 of their 8 wins this season have come against sides in the bottom half of the table.
That needs to change is they have any hopes of a ‘top four’ finish.
Credit: Reuters Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
90+2. This has been a well-deserved win for United.
They have dominated Tottenham who have offered very little in the way of defiance.
With Chelsea drawing this evening, this has been a good night for Man Utd and their fans.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
90. Bentancur comes off for Skipp.
Perisic comes off for Spence.
‘Go and win it for us lads’ I lipread Conte saying to them.
Good luck with that.
We are going to have four minutes added on.
Ronaldo is seen heading off down the tunnel.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
88. Sancho is replaced by Elanga.
Casemiro comes off for Eriksen.
ten Hag looking to make sure his side sees this out now.
An emotional appearance for Christian Eriksen as he faces his former employers since his departure from Brentford.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
86. Tottenham have offered so little in this half.
You would not have thought that they would put in a performance worse than their first half display.
Conte will need to get back to the drawing board with his side.
Credit: Getty Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
84. Tottenham are trying to create something.
But their night is summed up by a passing game that seems unable to penetrate their opponents.
It has been a quiet day at the office for David de Gea.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
82. The home fans boo as Rashford is left on the floor.
Sanchez with a heavy challenge on the forward.
Going straight through him seemingly to win the ball.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
80. Spurs look set to bring on Lucas Moura, Ryan Sessegnon, Davison Sanchez.
A quadruple substitution from Antonio Conte.
Bruno Fernandes takes the ball around Hugo Lloris and knocks the ball into the empty net but the flag is up for offside.
Bissouma, Dier, and Doherty come off for Spurs.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
78. Only one side has done enough to claim the three points today.
Antonio Conte’s team have been hugely disappointing.
Performances like this could cost them a place in next season’s Champions League.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
76. Antony comes off for Scott McTominay.
United are looking to manage the game and control it now.
They have not given up on more goals just yet.
Credit: Reuters
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham – Rashford chance
74. Fernandes is putting in a shift like we used to see so often in that first season in a United shirt.
Playing his game and not getting involved in spats and arguements.
When he is on his game, he is a special player.
Rashford cuts inside onto his right foot in the box and thunders his shot but Lloris somehow gets a hand to it, putting it out for a corner.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
72. Such a cultured finish from the Portuguese midfielder.
That goal may have just won the game for United.
Tottenham need to get a goal straight away if they are to stand any chance of getting anything out of this game.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham
70. United come forward and Fred’s effort hits Dier and deflects into the path of Fernandes.
He side-foots his effort from the penalty spot straight into the top corner.
Great finish.
Spurs are sinking without a trace in Manchester.
Goal – Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
Man Utd 1-0 Tottenham
68. This would be a big three points for United today.
For Conte’s side, it would ask questions of their ability to get results against the other teams vying for the ‘top four’.
Tottenham are passing the ball around without really going forward at all.
Perisic wriggles free, gets to the byline and dinks in a cross but Varane clears.
Credit: Getty Man Utd 1-0 Tottenham
66. The crowd have gone a bit quiet now.
United are trying to press high whenever Tottenham have the ball.
The visitors are still trying to play through it.
Conte must be thinking of an attacking change.
Lucas Moura would offer more options in attack.
Man Utd 1-0 Tottenham
64. This is a big opportunity for United tonight.
With news that Chelsea have drawn 0-0 at Brentford, United have the chance to close the gap between them.
United are knocking on the door, probing the Spurs’ defence.
Man Utd 1-0 Tottenham
62. United are still on the front foot.
It is just that final pass that is lacking right now.
ten Hag’s side know they should lead by more.
Man Utd 1-0 Tottenham
60. Rashford has been more involved since the break.
He just needs that break in front of goal.
Lloris has been in top-form this evening.
The boy who cried wolf, I mean Bruno Fernandes, is on the floor receiving treatment.
Man Utd 1-0 Tottenham
58. United are trying to attack with pace and one-touch passing.
As a result it often breaks down with a misplaced pass.
They seem content in possession now they have their lead.
Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
