Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag may be under pressure after losing to Tottenham (Image: Getty)
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag will be facing fresh concerns over his long-term future after watching his side succumb to a 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. The Dutchman was under pressure to deliver a favourable result but his players crumbled and finished the game with 10 men.
Brennan Johnson fired the visitors in front with only four minutes on the clock as Spurs enjoyed domination at Old Trafford, with boos whittling out from the home supporters. Bruno Fernandes was controversially sent off for a lunge on James Maddison and things took a turn for the worse.
Dejan Kulusevski made it 2-0 with 47 minutes on the clock, before striker Dominic Solanke prodded home his first league goal for the club to pile on the misery.
Express Sport assesses the Man Utd and Tottenham player ratings from Old Trafford after an afternoon to forget for Ten Hag’s men.
Man Utd player ratings
Andre Onana 6/10
Bizarrely stood and watched as Van de Ven sent a low cross within touching distance of his gloves to concede the opener. Twice denied Werner to keep the score down.
Noussair Mazraoui 5
Failed to spot the danger until it was too late from Van de Ven and looked vulnerable against Werner. Made one vital clearance to stop the German making it 2-0.
Matthijs de Ligt 4
Caught out of position several times in the first half and the £43m man appeared to be very nervy in possession.
Lisandro Martinez 4
Gave possession away cheaply in the early moments but showed some fight when his team-mates began to wilter. That quickly turned to petulance. Booked.
Diogo Dalot 4
Inexplicably allowed his marker Johnson to run into the box unopposed for the the opener and struggled to contain the threat of the Welshman in the unfavoured left-back role. Booked.
Man Utd lost 3-0 to Tottenham at Old Trafford (Image: Getty)
Kobbie Mainoo 5
Did little wrong, but the 20-year-old was largely quiet by his standards. Substituted for Mount when Fernandes was sent off.
Manuel Ugarte 5
Robbed for being too slow on the ball by Maddison and from there always looked a yard behind the play. A lot to learn. Booked.
Alejandro Garnacho 6
Feeding off scraps on the break, the Argentinian was unlucky to hit the post with a far-post volley. His efforts ultimately weren’t enough of the ball to inspire United to a comeback.
Bruno Fernandes 3
Deservedly sent off after a mindless high challenge on Maddison. Still without a goal this season and perhaps more worryingly, he failed to impose himself on the game before the dismissal. What has happened to the United captain?
Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a lunge on James Maddison (Image: Getty)
Marcus Rashford 6
Despite his efforts being described as “rubbish” by Gary Neville, Rashford showed a willingness to work hard and run in behind. But he just couldn’t find the target when United needed him to.
Joshua Zirkzee 5
Anonymous, mainly due to a failure from his team-mates to pick him out when he was unmarked. When he had the chance to score, his effort was saved by Vicario.
SUBS
Mason Mount (on 44′) 5
A strange choice to bring on the attacking midfielder after Fernandes was dismissed as he struggled to get into the game. Booked.
Casemiro (on 46′) 5
Brought on as a safety net after replacing Zirkzee at half time. Two minutes later, he lost an aerial duel and idly jogged back as Spurs scored their second. Unacceptable lack of effort.
Rasmus Hojlund (on 72′)
x
Christian Eriksen (on 72′)
Micky van de Ven was outstanding for Tottenham (Image: Getty)
Tottenham player ratings
Guglielmo Vicario 6
Almost a bystander in the first half as Spurs dominated, though the Italian was solid when called upon to deny Zirkzee.
Pedro Porro 6
Had the toughest job of the four defenders up against a lively Rashford but generally coped well with the Englishman. Less comfortable against Garnacho. Booked.
Cristian Romero 7
Kept Zirkzee’s influence to a minimum and looked every bit the leader he has become under Ange Postecoglou. The hothead who was sent off against Chelsea last season is long gone.
Micky van de Ven 9
Simply incredible athleticism from the Dutchman to gallop 60 yards with the ball past five players and send in a perfect ball for Johnson to tap home. Magnificent in everything else he did.
Destiny Udogie 6
Looked bright early on before an injury scare forced him to take a more cautious approach to the game. Substituted at the interval.
Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski scored at Old Trafford (Image: Getty)
Rodrigo Bentancur 7
Dictated the play from deep and his presence allowed Kulusevski and Maddison to flourish. The Uruguayan continues to be an unheralded yet essential player in this team.
Dejan Kulusevski 9
Given the freedom to roam in a newly-created central role, the Swede was a constant thorn in the side and deserved his goal for an excellent performance.
James Maddison 8
Bright, engaged and keen to combine with Kulusevski in the early moments. Everything Spurs created in the central areas went through him. Earned his brief break after being replaced by Moore.
Brennan Johnson 8
Right place, right time for the winger as he tapped home for the opener. Unfortunate to see his effort bounce back off the post to deny him a second. Set up Kulusevski for the second. Booked.
Dominic Solanke scored his second Tottenham goal in the Premier League (Image: Getty)
Dominic Solanke 7
Much of the buzz went on around the £65m striker and he endured a quiet afternoon up front. His patience was rewarded when he prodded home from a corner late on.
Timo Werner 6
Showed plenty of endeavour. But while it would be unfair to expect a Son-level performance, the German was wasteful and missed two golden opportunities when one-on-on with Onana.
SUBS
Djed Spence (on 46′) 6
Replaced Udogie at the interval. Booked.
Pape Matar Sarr (on 76′) 6
Got an assist 20 seconds after coming on with his flick-on converted by Solanke.
Mikey Moore (on 76′) N/A
Lucas Bergvall (on 76′) N/A
Radu Dragusin (on 80′) N/A
