Job done: Bruno Fernandes doubled Man United’s lead with a brilliant finish
(Picture: AP)Fred and Bruno Fernandes struck in the second-half for Manchester United as they tore a sorry Tottenham apart at Old Trafford.
It was somehow goalless at half-time despite United’s dominance though they got their reward after the break, the 2-0 scoreline flattering Spurs who had Hugo Lloris to thank for preventing something more embarrassing.
Antonio Conte’s side had the chance to move up to second and a point behind Arsenal with victory, but that never looked on the cards as they produced a performance that raised significant concerns at both ends of the pitch.
United produced their best 45 minutes of the season by a margin at Old Trafford as they made a flying start, their 19 first-half shots more than they have managed in the entirety of any other match under Erik ten Hag.
Marcus Rashford, brought straight back into the starting-lineup by the Dutchman, had the best chance as he was played through on goal by Fred, but his low strike was brilliantly kept out by Lloris. Antony’s curling strike from outside the box did beat the Frenchman, only to flick off the outside of the post.
Fred had a number of shots himself from distance, many of them wayward though. Spurs had the odd moment on the break, with Harry Kane’s shot from a tight angle comfortably saved, but on the whole it was really poor from Conte’s side.
The visitors deservedly fell behind with barely a minute played of the second-half, as Jadon Sancho played the ball back to Fred and, with the help of a significant deflection, he found the bottom corner for a rare goal.
Rashford nearly doubled the lead almost immediately as he drove into the box, cut inside and hammered a strike at goal, though once again Lloris was up to the task as he parried it back out.
The lead was eventually extended, with just over 20 minutes remaining, as the ball fell for Fernandes in the box and he curled a brilliant first-time effort into the far corner as the scoreline at least began to reflect the pattern of play.
For the third time Rashford was denied by Lloris, this perhaps the best save of the bunch, before Fernandes put the ball in the net again only to see the offside flag swiftly raised.
A triple substitution from Conte with ten minutes remaining did nothing to alter the course of the match, as United cruised to a win that moves them four points behind Spurs with a game in hand.
