Tottenham suffered a major setback in their fight for Champions League football, after losing 3-2 to Manchester United on Saturday.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the Red Devils’ hero with a hat-trick at Old Trafford.
That was in spite of a Harry Kane penalty and an own goal from Harry Maguire, both of which levelled the scores as Spurs were made to fight for the chance to stake a claim for fourth.
James Robson was at Old Trafford to rate the visiting players...
Hugo Lloris - 6
Not a lot he could do about any of Ronaldo’s goals. Let down by his defence.
Cristian Romero - 6
Got stuck in with some meaty challenges as he chased after United’s mobile attack – but part of a Spurs defence that looked susceptible on the break.
Eric Dier - 7
Unlucky not to find the back of the net when Diogo Dalot headed his effort off the line. Escaped conceding a penalty when Ronaldo’s shot struck his arm.
🔥 HIS SECOND-EVER MAN UTD HAT-TRICK 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 12, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo grabs his THIRD of the day as Man Utd lead Spurs 3-2! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/emuFOFmLg1
Ben Davies - 6
Struggled with United’s movement and caught out on occasion when his communication could have been better.
Matt Doherty - 6
Got up well in support of Kulusevski to help Spurs overload on that side. But could not stop Sancho’s influence.
Rodrigo Bentancur - 5
Taken out of the game far too easily in the build-up to Ronaldo’s goal when a flick from Fred left him stranded. That felt typical on a day when he was left chasing a lot of shadows.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 7
Snapped into tackles to force United to keep their distance from goal and create a platform for Spurs to attack.
Sergio Reguilon - 7
Sloppy in playing Sancho onside for United’s second goal – but made up for that with his run and cross, which forced Maguire to turn into his own net.
Dejan Kulusevski - 8
A performance full of menace, which United never got to grips with. It was his cross that led to Kane’s penalty and his runs stretched Telles to breaking point.
Harry Kane gets Spurs on the board from the spot! 🌪
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 12, 2022
Thoughts on Jon Moss' decision? 🤔💭 pic.twitter.com/ECx8GCLnNZ
Heung-min Son - 7
Picked up dangerous areas and cut holes in United’s defence with his intelligent passing. Should have done better with one second-half chance.
Harry Kane - 6
Fired Spurs back into the game from the spot – but then cost them an almost certain goal when getting in the way of a Kulusevski chance. Much of his best work was deep.
Subs
Lucas Moura (Kulusevski, 78’) - 5
Could not match Kulusevski’s effect.
Steven Bergwijn - (Davies, 87’) - N/A
Harry Winks - (Bentancur, 87’) - N/A
