Full Time: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester United
Manchester United were knocked out of the top four race in the Premier League when they were defeated 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in what was the last game to be played at the White Hart Lane.
United were pegged back very early in the game as Victor Wanyama headed past David De Gea in the 6th minute. Harry Kane made it 2-0 soon after half-time with a brilliant finish. Jose Mourinho’s men managed to pull one back through Wayne Rooney with 20 minutes left to play, but could not complete a turnaround.
The win leaves United in the sixth place, seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, meaning they are out of the race for the Champions League spots. Here is how the United players fared on the day:
Manchester United Player Ratings
David De Gea – 7/10
Made a few top notch saves in the first-half to keep his team in the game. No chance with both the goals.
Eric Bailly – 7/10
Not at his brilliant best, but did well enough considering he was playing in an unfamiliar right-back role. His touches and passes were easy on the eye, but did spurn a great opportunity just before half-time.
Phil Jones – 5.5/10
Struggled against waves of Spurs attacks that kept coming one after the other. Never really looked in control of things.
Chris Smalling – 4/10
Abysmal. Looks completely out of sorts since his return from injury. Invited pressure on his team with a few poor clearances. Defended poorly against Kane in the lead up to the second.
Daley Blind – 6/10
Fairly solid at left-back, but not really convincing. Set-piece delivery wasn’t up to the mark.
Michael Carrick – 5.5/10
Never really looked like getting a foothold in the middle of the park against the likes of Wanyama and Eric Dier.
Axel Tuanzebe – 5/10
After an impressive debut last week, the youngster struggled in a midfield role against the best team in the league. Overwhelmed by the sheer energy of the Tottenham midfield.
Jesse Lingard – 4/10
Once again on the periphery. Struggled to impact the game in any way. Dragged a shot wide from a decent position in the second period.
Juan Mata – 5/10
Tried hard but struggled to get into the game with Tottenham not allowing him spaces to work with.
Wayne Rooney – 4/10
Struggled again and was visibly frustrated in the first period. Culpable for the opening goal. Scored the only goal for United. May have scored three in four games, but that doesn’t reflect his laborious ways on the pitch.
Anthony Martial – 6.5/10
Once again United’s most potent threat in attack. Was isolated for most times, but looked to make things happen each time he got on the ball. Came agonizingly close in the first period. Set Rooney up for the goal brilliantly.
Substitutes
Ander Herrera – 6/10
Replaced Tuanzebe on the hour mark. Added the much-needed energy to the midfield for the Red Devils.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 5/10
Came on for Lingard in the 61st minute. Not as involved as he would have liked.
Marcus Rashford – 5/10
Thrown on for the last 10 minutes in place of Mata. Missed a great opportunity.