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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Barry Glendenning

Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham: Premier League – as it happened

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Erik Ten Hag: “We had some more really good performances like Liverpool and Arsenal but this was the game from start to the end we were really good and I told the team it was very enjoyable to watch,” he tells the BBC.

“The plan was to get in those spaces, but you need switch of play, dynamic and get their backline back. You have to get the spaces for the shots and it was good to see the transfer of the gameplan.

“What was first, chicken or egg? The Spurs team is a great team so far, I have analysed them and it was difficult to play them. That is why I am so happy with the performance and it was good to see.”

Antonio Conte: “I think in the game, United deserved to win,” Tottenham’s manager tells Amazon Prime. “They played a really good game. In our side, I think the level has to be higher, we need to improve a lot and to try and be better than today.

“The first goal was a deflection but at the end I have to be honest and tell you United played better than us. They created more chances than us. In to the pitch we put will but we have to show this level we need to try to improve and be better. The level was high and United showed today they are much better than us today.

“I consider United a really good team and you know very well what they did in the transfer market and what they can spend. You are talking about two different levels. In this type of game we can do better. We struggle against Chelsea and Arsenal and today.

“We have to try to improve and there is only the work to do this. I repeat, especially in this type of game when the atmosphere is a lot of noise, United are an important team, we can improve and increase our level.”

Bruno Fernandes speaks: “Everyone is really pleased, it was a great performance and the perfect performance,” says United’s captain in an interview with the BBC. “We have to keep going, understand it is a process win or lose and we have to keep the focus and carry on.

“We had many good performances, against Newcastle we did a really good performance, controlled the game and did not get the result. Today overall it was was the best performance because we got the result and performance. We need more of this.

“We know the quality we have up front, we know we can be dangerous so if have chances to shoot we have to have the belief we can score. Marcus Rashford didn’t score today but did so much, Jadon Sancho too and he was involved in Fred’s goal.”

Updated

Erik Ten Hag speaks: Asked about the very public decision of unused sub Cristiano Ronaldo to head off down the tunnel towards the dressing-room with several minutes of the game remaining, the Manchester United manager says “I’ve seen him. I didn’t speak to him after. I will deal with that tomorrow”.

Updated

Match report: Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League: Manchester United dominated their cowed visitors throughout and took the points courtesy of goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes. Jamie Jackson reports from Old Trafford …

Full time: Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Peep! Peep! Peeeeeeeeeeeeep! Manchester United win an absorbing but largely one-sided game at their leisure, putting in what was arguably their best shift under Erik Ten Hag to see off what passed for the challenge of a Spurs side that looked second best all night. Fred and Bruno Fernades got the goals but one suspects it will be unused substitute Cristiano Ronaldo who captures the headlines after pointedly leaving the arena before the final whistle.

90+4 min: Spurs win a late corner, Lisandro Martinez running the ball out of play under pressure from Harry Kane. Nothing comes of the set piece and the final whistle is blown.

90+2 min: Djed Spence is dispossessed by Fred in the Manchester United penalty area and the midfielder ambles upfield with the ball at his feet.

89 min: The camera cuts to Cristiano Ronaldo, who is heading off down the tunnel for an early shower.

88 min: Manchester United double-substitution: Oliver Skipp and Djed Spence on for Ivan Perisic and Rodrigo Bentancur.

87 min: Manchester United double-substitution: Anthony Elanga and Christian Eriksen on for Casemiro and Jadon Sancho.

85 min: Raphael Varane larrups the ball into Row z, taking it off the toe of Moura as the substitute advanced into the United penalty area. He accidentally catches Moura with his arm, cuffing him on the side of the head.

82 min: Having seen his side create absolutely nothing in this second half while looking completely bereft of ideas, Antonio Conte finally rings the changes with less than 10 minutes remaining. Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon and Lucas Moura come on for Yves Bissouma, Eric Dier and Matt Doherty.

80 min: Brunbo Fernandes is played in behind by a crossfield pass from Rashford, ambles forward, takes the ball around Lloris and sidefoots into an empty net from 15 yards. Offside but not by much.

76 min: Marcus Rashford rides a challenge, canters upfield and plays the ball inside. It’s intercepted.

75 min: Manchester United substitution: Scott McTominay on for Antony.

74 min: It seems baffling that Antonio Conte hasn’t made a substitution yet. Hugo Lloris makes his eighth save of the game, getting a mighty left hand behind a Marcus Rashford rasper. United’s striker can’t believe his shot has been kept out.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saves a shot from Marcus Rashford of Manchester United.
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris again denies Marcus Rashford of Manchester United. Photograph: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images

Updated

71 min: The very definition of end-to-end stuff there, as Tottenham Hotspur come within a hair’s breadth of equalising only to concede at the other end mere seconds later. In an offside position, Harry Kane voilleyed into the chest of De Gea from a tight angle. The flag went up but Hooper waved play on and Fernandes took full advantage.

GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Fernandes 69)

United stretch their lead! Referee Simon Hooper waves away an offside flag after Harry Kane had a shot blocked by David De Gea as Manchester United break upfield. It’s a great advantage to play as the move ends with Bruno Fernandes curling a fine shot inside the upright to put his side 2-0 up.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane has his shot saved by Manchester United’s David de Gea.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane has his shot saved by Manchester United’s David de Gea. Photograph: Craig Brough/Reuters
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (left) shoots and scores his team second goal.
At the other end, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (left) curls in the home side’s second goal. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring his team's second goal.
Fernandes wheels away in celebration … Photograph: Dave Thomposon/AP
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their second goal.
And celebrates in front of the ecstatic United fans. Photograph: Craig Brough/Reuters

Updated

66 min: David De Gea sends Marcus Rashford on his way with a long ball from the back. The United striker is unable to get the ball fully under control to get a shot away from a tight angle and eventually runs it wide.

61 min: Tottenham’s players continue to chase shadows, unable to get a moment to settle on the ball whenever it comes their way. A case in point: Antony wins a corner for his side seconds after Hojbjerg had lost the ball to Raphael Varane. Nothing comes of it.

58 min: United fans serenade Diogo Dalot from the stands as he and his teammates continue to pile the hurt on Tottenham. They’re only one goal up but have been completely dominant for almost an hour.

56 min: The occupants of the Stretford End appeal for a penalty after Marcus Rashford goes down under a challenge from Eric Dier after being played in behind by Bruno Fernandes. No spot-kick is forthcoming and it looks a good decision.

53 min: Antony pulls a low, left-footed drive narrowly wide of the upright after good work from Bruno Fernades, who drove forward from midfield before picking out the Brazilian.

50 min: Harry Kane has a shot from distance deflected wide for a corner. Nothing comes of the set piece.

48 min: Hugo Lloris saves brilliantly from Marcus Rashford, parrying the United striker’s shot from seven yards out with a strong left hand.

GOAL! Manchester Unitec 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Fred 47)

United lead! Jadon Sanchez tees up Fred on the edge of the penalty area and his low drive takes a deflection off Ben Davies and trundles into the bottom left-hand corner past the hopelessly wrongfooted Hugo Lloris.

Manchester United’s Fred (left) shoots and puts his team ahead courtesy of a deflection.
Manchester United’s Fred (left) shoots … Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur watches the ball after Fred of Manchester United scored a goal to make the score 1-0.
And puts his team ahead courtesy of a deflection. Photograph: Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty Images
Fred of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal.
Which he’s quite happy about. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Updated

Second half: Manchester United 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

46 min: Manchester United kick-off with no changes in personnel on either side after the break.

Half-time: Manchester United 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Peep! At the end of a first half in which Manchester United were by far and away the better team, the deadlock remains intact. Spurs have been dogged in defence, while their goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has been kept busy. They’re hanging in there … but only just.

45+2 min: Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg is unable to keep the ball in play down by the touchline after receiving a pass to feet from Ivan Perisic.

44 min: Harry Kane has a shot towards the near post saved by David De Gea. His follow-up strikes Dalot in the face and the full-back goes to ground. Play continues, much to the displeasure of Manchester United’s players, who point out to referee Simon Hooper that he stopped play immediately when the same thing happened to Eric Dier. They have a point.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (left) shoots the ball and hits Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot.
Oooof. That’s gotta smart a tad. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United in action with Rodrigo Bentancur of Tottenham Hotspur whilst Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot lies injured.
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United attempts to block a cross from Spurs’ Rodrigo Bentancur whilst Dalot lies injured. Photograph: Tom Purslow/Manchester United/Getty Images

Updated

41 min: Tottenham continue on the back foot, struggling to get the ball out of their own half as United come at them in waves. With better finishing, the home side could be three or four goals ahead.

38 min: There’s a break in play as Eric Dier receives treatment after shipping a shot from Dalot full force in the face. Moments previously, Fred had sent a shot from distance sailing high and wide of the Tottenham goal.

36 min: Marcus Rashford goes to ground in the Tottenham penalty area but his appeals for a spot-kick fall on deaf ears. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg accuses him of diving. United are piling on the pressure but have yet to break the deadlock.

32 min: Dalot plays the ball wide to Luke Shaw, who plays it forward to Jadon Sancho. He plays a lazy ball inside to Fernandes rather than taking on his man, Matt Doherty.

28 min: United are completely dominating proceedings as we approach the half-hour mark. Son Heung-min and Harry Kane are barely getting a look in. Casemiro is teed up a couple of yards outside the Spurs penalty area and sends a rasping drive narrowly wide of the left upright. A relieved Hugo Lloris was wrong-footed and rooted to the spot.

Manchester United's Casemiro reacts.
Manchester United's Casemiro reacts. Photograph: Craig Brough/Reuters

Updated

24 min: Lloris tips a volley from Luke Shaw over the bar and nothing comes from the ensuing corner. M oments previously, the busy Spurs goalkeeper dealt with a free-kick from just outside his penalty area which Bruno Fernandes struck straight at him. United have had 13 shots but have yet to trouble the scoreboard operator.

Bruno Fernandes (left) of Manchester United takes a free-kick.
Bruno Fernandes (left) of Manchester United takes a free-kick. Photograph: Andrew Yates/EPA

Updated

20 min: Fred plays Rashford in behind with a wonderfully weighted ball between defenders. The United striker’s low diagonal drive is saved splendidly by Lloris, who gets down to his right.

17 min: United enjoy a sustained period of possession but are unable to do much with it.

14 min: Spurs advance, then retreat … then advance again. Ivan Perisic picks up the ball on the left touchline and plays it to Ben Davies, whose cross is cleared by Fred.

10 min: From distance, Antony tries to whip the ball inside the far post after running at the Tottenham defence. His effort fizzes a foot or so wide of the far post.

9 min: United are in the ascendency in these early stages. Spurs, playing a 3-5-2 for only the second time this season, are sitting back hoping to attack on the counter.

6 min: Hugo Lloris loses his footing and fumbles a speculative shot from Antony out for a corner after United attack on the break and Rashford had been put in behind, forcing Lloris off his line to clear. From that set piece, Fred forces Lloris to palm the ball over the bar. Nothing comes from the second corner.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris turns over a shot from Manchester United’s Fred.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris turns over a shot from Manchester United’s Fred. Photograph: Matt West/Shutterstock

Updated

5 min: Tottenham get forward and Rodrigo Bentancur curls a shot wide of the far post from the right side of the United penalty area.

4 min: Picked out by Fred in space on his own on the right side of the Spurs penalty area, Antony has a curled effort blocked.

2 min: Some early pressure from Spurs, who are forced backwards after pressing and probing around the right side of the United penalty area.

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur is go ...

1 min: Yves Bissouma gets the ball rolling for Spurs, whose players are in their change kit of blue shirts, navy shorts and yellow socks. The players of Manchester United wear red shirts, white shorts and black socks.

Not long now: Captains Hugo Lloris and Bruno Fernandes lead their teams out on to the Old Trafford sward, before both sets of players line up either side of referee Simon Hooper and his team of match officials. Kick-off is just a few minutes away. Walking to his dug-out, Spurs boss Antonio Conte is deep in conversation with his former Inter charge, the Manchester United substitute Christian Eriksen.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur players take to the pitch.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur players take to the pitch. Photograph: Craig Brough/Reuters

Updated

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur line-ups

Manchester United: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Antony, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford.

Subs: Heaton, Lindelof, Ronaldo, Malacia, Eriksen, Pellistri, Elanga, McTominay, Garnacho.

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Davies, Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Bissouma, Perisic, Son, Kane.

Subs: Forster, Skipp, Sanchez, Gil, Sessegnon, Spence, Tanganga, Moura, Lenglet.

Team news from Old Trafford

Manchester United make one change from the team that started their goalless draw against Newcastle on Sunday. Having recovered from illness, Marcus Rashford comes in for Cristiano Ronaldo, who is unlikely to be pleased. Christian Eriksen, who also missed out on Sunday’s game through illness, is among the Manchester United substitutes. Tottenham manager Antonio Conte also makes one change. Yves Bissouma comes in for the injured Richarlison.

Old Trafford
Old Trafford Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Tonight's match officials

  • Referee: Simon Hooper

  • Assistants: Ian Hussin and Adrian Holmes

  • Fourth official: Andy Madley

  • VAR: Michael Oliver

Simon Hooper, pictured here pointing at things, will be blowing his whistle and pointing at things at Old Trafford tonight
Simon Hooper will be blowing his whistle and pointing at things at Old Trafford tonight. Photograph: Rob Newell/CameraSport/Getty Images

Early Tottenham Hotspur team news

Richarlison left Goodison Park on crutches after suffering a calf injury that reduced him to tears of frustration and cast his World Cup hopes into doubt, despite reassurances from Antonio Conte that the Brazilian will recover in plenty of time for Qatar. “I hope for him to play other games with us before the World Cup but for sure the injury is not so serious,” said Conte.

Out with a hamstring injury, Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski has not played since the end of September but Conte did not rule the possibility of him playing some part in tonight’s game. “We have to go day by day with him and the medical department are working a lot to try to recover him, but we don’t know for the game against United,” he said.

The absence of Richarlison and in all likelihood, Kulusevski, could mean starts for Lucas Moura, Bryan Gil or Yves Bissouma. With Emerson Royal serving the third and final match of his ban, Matt Doherty is expected to start again, but Japhet Tanganga remains out.

Tottenham Hotspur's Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski.
Dejan Kulusevski could feature for Tottenham tonight if he has recovered from his hamstring injury. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/Reuters

Early Manchester United team news

Scott McTominay is available for selection after serving a one-match ban on the Naughty Step but Anthony Martial has been ruled out with a back injury. Christian Eriksen is also a major doubt after missing the Newcastle match through illness. The Danish midfielder trained yesterday but may not be well enough to start.

Harry Maguire remains sidelined with a hamstring injury but will soon resume training, while on-loan reserve goalkeeper Martin Dubravka can return to the bench having been ineligible to sit on it against his parent club Newcastle.

Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek are all still injured. Having scored a hat-trick against Tottenham in the corresponding fixture last season, Cristiano Ronaldo could start his third consecutive game for United.

Cristiano Ronaldo signs autographs for fans upon his arrival at Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United's match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Cristiano Ronaldo signs autographs for fans upon his arrival at Old Trafford tonight. Photograph: Tom Purslow/Manchester United/Getty Images

Premier League: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

The Wednesday night lights at Old Trafford will be illuminated for what could be a cracking game between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Third in the table, four points behind their bitter rivals Arsenal, Tottenham travel to Manchester on the back of a win over Everton at the weekend, while their hosts had to settle for a scoreless home draw against Newcastle last time out. Kick-off this evening 8.15pm (BST) but stay tuned in the meantime for team news and build-up.

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