3 Key Talking Points From Tottenham vs Manchester United: Fatigue Sets Into United’s Play

Tottenham vs Manchester United – 3 talking points

Manchester United extended their unbeaten run to nine games, but could manage a nil-nil draw away at Spurs. Although the visitors dominated the first half and also hit the post from a free kick, the scores were level going into half-time thanks to a combination of some profligate finishing and excellent goalkeeping. The tables turned in the second half as the home side dominated and could have even secured a win late on, but they too were far from clinical in front of goal, which meant that both sides extended their respective unbeaten runs.

Here are the major talking points.

1. Tale of two world-class keepers

Given the history between the two sides and the attacking players on show, many expected this to be a high-scoring clash. Instead, it was the two defences and especially the two keepers who came out on top in this engaging nil-nil draw.

It was the tale of two keepers as both De Gea and Lloris showed why they are regarded as two of the finest keepers in the League. If Frenchman was on top in the first half thanks to some brilliant shot-stopping, it was the Spaniard who emerged the winner in the second in a see-saw battle for goalkeeping supremacy. In front of them, a usually error-prone defence transformed into a impenetrable wall as both sides defended better than they have done at any time this season. Even then, there was still enough chances for both sides to have won it, but neither side were able to do it and that resulted in a rare clean sheet for both sides.

2. Falcao finding his feet

One of the reasons why many were happy with the acquisition of Falcao, albeit on a loan, was what he would bring to the side. As good as Rooney and Van Persie are, neither of them are what you call a traditional center forward. While both score plenty of goals, they don’t give a strong, physical presence up front, a striker who has both the pace and power to get beyond defenders and finish clinically.

After struggling in the early part of the season to regain full fitness, the fact that the Colombian striker was starting in back-to-back games in a matter of days was a testament to how far he has come fitness wise. Unfortunately for United, the 28-year-old is still adapting to English football and against Spurs he struggled in the air and didn’t manage to win a single header of note. And on the occasions he was put through, he lacked his usual composure. While that is certainly a worry for the Red Devils, as long as he continues to play regularly, there is no doubt that he will get back to the form that made him one of Europe’s most-feared marksmen.

3. Fatigue sets into United’s play

Before the start of the game Van Gaal was bemoaning the fact that his side had to play within 48 hours of their previous game. So it was certainly surprising to see that he had named an unchanged line-up for the first time this season. But having won seven of their last eight games, he certainly had every right to stick with the same players.

But for his gamble to pay off, what he needed was an early goal. Unfortunately, for all of their possession and the chances they created, they were unable to score one in the first half. And that made them vulnerable in the second half, where the attacking players, some of whom had played the 90 minutes against Newcastle were feeling the after-effects as the Red Devils in the end, had to hang onto the point.