Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs leapfrogged to eighth in the league standings, accumulating 10 points from six games. Meanwhile, the beleaguered United, who had their captain, Bruno Fernandes, sent off in the 42nd minute for a high challenge on James Maddison, languish in 12th place with seven points. This loss will undoubtedly intensify the scrutiny on manager Erik ten Hag.
“It was an exceptional performance,” Postecoglou enthused. “Our strong start saw us score a fantastic opening goal, and we could have added a few more. The pressure mounted, and they conceded a red card. Post-red card, we maintained control and dominated the game.”
“Full credit to the entire squad for their outstanding effort,” he added.
Spurs took an early lead in the third minute through defender Micky van de Ven’s surging run. He carried the ball over half the length of the pitch before providing a low center across the six-yard box, which Johnson tapped in for his fourth goal in as many games.
Johnson reflected on the match, saying, “Whether it was 11v11 or 11v10, we were in complete control. We executed our game plan flawlessly.”
The hosts, United, endured a torrid time as Spurs ran circles around them on a rainy Manchester evening, much to the dismay of manager Erik ten Hag.
“Conceding an early goal like that affected our belief,” ten Hag admitted. “It was an entirely avoidable goal, and we must do better. We need to put this behind us, focus on the upcoming games, and ensure we improve our performance.”
|
|
| Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur, Old Trafford, Manchester, UK, September 29, 2024: Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro. Source: Reuters |
Fan Frustration
Spurs doubled their lead just after halftime when Lisandro Martinez slipped, allowing Johnson to sprint away. His deflected cross found Kulusevski, who acrobatically clipped the ball past Onana in goal.
Solanke’s close-range finish in the 77th minute prompted a mass exodus of angry United fans. Pape Matar Sarr headed on a corner, which substitute Lucas Bergvall flicked on, and Solanke was on hand to poke the ball home.
The jubilant Spurs fans sang throughout the game, taunting the home supporters with a chant of “Is there a fire drill?” as thousands of United fans made a swift exit after conceding the third goal.
Fernandes acknowledged their struggles, saying, “We tried to force things and rushed at times. When playing against a high line, we made mistakes, and they punished us. The red card only made our task harder.”
|
|
| Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur, Old Trafford, Manchester, UK, September 29, 2024: Tottenham Hotspur’s Dejan Kulusevski celebrates scoring their second goal with Brennan Johnson. Source: Reuters |
Spurs could have won by a larger margin, having had 10 shots on target to United’s two. Onana produced a spectacular double save in the second half, denying both Timo Werner and Solanke, keeping the score from becoming more lopsided.
United’s best chance fell to Alejandro Garnacho, who struck the post late in the first half. Casemiro blazed wide in the second period, encapsulating United’s frustrating evening.
Rebuilding a Footballing Legacy: Ronaldo’s Vision for United’s Future
“It’s time for a revolution at Manchester United,” declared Cristiano Ronaldo, who believes that a complete overhaul is necessary for the club to reclaim its former glory. The football icon emphasized that a rebuild from the ground up is essential if the club wishes to once again challenge for the biggest honors in football.
The Phenomenal Ronaldo Launches His Own YouTube Channel
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal launched his own YouTube channel on Wednesday and witnessed an astounding surge of subscribers, with hundreds of thousands signing up within just a couple of hours.
The Young Guns Deliver: Garnacho and Mainoo Seal Stunning Cup Victory for Manchester United
Manchester United produced a stunning performance to upset Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final, providing a memorable end to an otherwise mediocre season. This victory deprived their rivals of a double celebration and gave United a much-needed boost.
