The last Premier League match of this month saw Manchester United square off against Tottenham Hotspur at the Theatre of Dreams. The Red Devils’ had come off a 3-2 loss to newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion, with Jose Mourinho demanding ‘reaction’ from his players in the build-up to this match, and that is exactly what he got in the first half.
The second half saw a complete reversal, as Spurs, who had gained some momentum from the latter stages of the first half, pressed on and scored early into the second half. It was England international, Harry Kane, who converted from a corner and moments later, a recent signing from PSG, Lucas Moura scored to tilt it heavily in Spurs’ favour.
Let’s take a look at 5 players who experienced contrasting fortunes in this match:
#5 Hit: Luke Shaw
One of the unlikely starters for Manchester United at the beginning of the season, Luke Shaw has turned out to be one of Manchester United’s best defenders of the season. The only surviving member of United’s defence from Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Brighton, Shaw was a bundle of energy and revelled in his new role as a left-wing back.
Shaw’s promising start to the season has seen him keep Ashley Young out of the United squad and has been the only positive for United fans on a day the Red Devils’ lost their 50th match at the Theatre of Dreams.
His performances generally against the ‘big six’ teams have been poor, and this has been worrying for United fans. By the end of February last season, Lukaku had one only one goal against any side in the top six, and that goal was against Southampton.
The Belgium centre-forward had a nightmare night in front of goal, as he failed to score in an open goal midway through the first half after he rounded past Hugo Lloris. He piled further misery on his manager, as he scuffed two inviting opportunities created for him from the left wing. One effort was an inaccurate header, and the other a team hit straight at the keeper.
Yet again, Trippier did not disappoint at Old Trafford, playing a starring role for his side that blew away United in the second-half. He played a decisive role in the second goal that gave Spurs an air of comfortability. Trippier played a delightful through ball to Eriksen which was perfectly weighted, and the Dane made no mistake in finding Lucas Moura who swept it home.
Matic and Herrera were widely expected to fill up at defence and provide some cover for United’s fluid defensive set-up, but the Serb was prone to some hazardous moments. A lazy pass almost led to Spurs’ first goal inside the first half and started to give Spurs some momentum before the beginning of the second half.
Tottenham have historically not enjoyed their visits to Old Trafford, but Moura played a crucial role for this Spurs side which enjoyed their best result at Old Trafford in fifty odd years.
Moura, later on, reflected on his performance on the match, claiming he did ‘very well’. After scoring 3 goals in 2 games already this season for Spurs, one cannot disagree that the Brazilian was a hit in the game.
