The first game of the Premier League season saw Manchester United take on Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. Traditionally one of the most entertaining games in the Premier League season, Manchester United continued their dominance over Tottenham with a scrappy 1-0 win over Spurs. The goal game against the run of play with Kyle Walker scoring an unfortunate own-goal as he tried to nick the ball off Wayne Rooney in the Tottenham penalty box, as a hapless Michel Vorm tried his level best to keep the ball out.
The first game of the season brought out a lot of discussion regarding the game and we list five talking points from the game.
Romero is Woe-mero
No David de Gea, no Victor Valdes, the two goalkeepers from last season weren’t part of the squad and new signing Sergio Romero was given a start and he looked really uncomfortable with the ball at his feet. He might look decent with the gloves but his kicking and distribution was more to Tottenham’s advantage than to United’s.
Memphis dazzles
The new signing, who doesn’t want to be called by his last name, showed glimpses of what he really is capable of doing, Memphis played behind Wayne Rooney in the number 10 role and linked really well with a lot of the United players. It will be interesting to see how well he does over the course of the season but he needs others to link up and create a great attacking trio or quartet.
Spurs might have a good season
Tottenham might consider themselves to be unlucky after losing the game, the first 20 minutes was all Tottenham and the team from London should have been a goal ahead and were unfortunate to be a goal down thanks to Kyle Walker. Harry Kane was a bit subdued but if Tottenham can turn up in similar fashion against the rest of the teams in the league, Spurs could end up in a decent position for Champions League qualification.
United’s lack of defensive ability is alarming
Playing Daley Blind in defence is not the answer for a better defensive unit. Manchester United might be in the shop window for another centre-back, especially after today’s display. The need for good central defenders is paramount for Manchester United, if they are to stay in the top four, there will be better teams that United face and they would take advantage of the poor defensive ability of the record English champions.
Louis van Gaal needs to work on the attack
Manchester United led by 1 goal, even though they did not have one shot on target, that is a damning stat if anything for Manchester United as they played in the first game of the season. United are known to attack, relentlessly, but they looked like a League One side in the initial 30 minutes against a well-drilled Tottenham side. United looked slightly better after the goal but Van Gaal has a lot of work to do, if he wants to make this team click in attack.