Manchester United went on the road for the first time this season, facing Tottenham in London but coming out with a 2-0 loss.
The first half saw both sides experience success in their approaches, with Bruno Fernandes missing a top chance, and Pedro Porro hitting the bar for Spurs.
Spurs took the lead early in the second half through Pape Matar Sarr following a scramble in the box.
Antony then went up the other end and hit the post, agonisingly close to an instant equaliser for United.
Ben Davies put the dagger in near the end leaving defenders and Andre Onana flat footed.
Here are five things we learned…
Onana the only light in a dark performance
Onana being excellent is nothing new, he is consistently United’s best player in between the sticks.
He impacts play so much and today we saw his full passing range in motion, with switches of play from deep finding attackers in promising positions.
He was also massive in goal stopping countless Spurs chances and ultimately just being excellent, the £47m deal is looking like a bargain.
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Despite his great performance, the midfield and defence once again let him down with both goals being completely avoidable.
Midfield still an issue
Tottenham’s biggest success in this game came through the lack of numbers deep in United’s midfield.
Similarly to against Wolves, Spurs counter attacked through the midfield, with Casemiro outnumbered.
Often it would be Alejandro Garnacho who was nearest to Casemiro, with Mason Mount wide which simply is too expansive for us given our sloppiness in possession at times.
Sign Sofyan Amrabat.
When will it all click?
A year into project Erik ten Hag, and the system continues to look in its early stages with back-to-back horrific performances.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou in his opening home game as Spurs boss has outplayed and out-thought the Dutchman.
In Ten Hag we trust, but when can we expect to see our team performing like a well oiled machine? Serious improvements needed.
The team lack a plan, intensity and any threat with the midfield being the weakest link
Dubious refereeing denies United penalty
I do not know how the Christian Romero handball wasn’t given as a penalty, it was blatant and had the shoe been on the other foot, I imagine it would’ve been given.
The denied penalty killed United’s momentum and was a huge call in the game at the time.
We hope this isn’t an effort by the PGMOL to rectify the mistake against Wolves on Monday which should’ve been a penalty
Worrying times ahead
The most worrying part of today, isn’t the result, but rather the performance which gives no confidence.
Completely clueless and at times, looking like a team who have never played together, which signifies worse days could be ahead for United.
Especially with the Arsenal game at the Emirates coming up in a few weeks, if we play like this, we will be swept off the park.
Worrying times unless some reinforcements are signed, and the entire midfield trio is rethought.