Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford in what was by far our best performance of the Erik ten Hag era so far.
Here are five things we learned from Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur.
Antonio Conte beaten at Old Trafford once again
For the fourth time in his managerial career, the Italian came away from the Theatre of Dreams empty handed and likely left wondering whether his fortunes will ever change on M16.
The former Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan will likely be the first to admit that his team were second best in all departments in his first meeting against Erik ten Hag.
Lisandro Martinez manhandles Harry Kane
England’s captain was the latest striker to be on the receiving end of an aggressive relentless defensive barrage from the fiery Argentine.
Every time Spurs’ number ten got on the ball, United’s number six was onto him in a flash and didn’t give him a second to breath or settle.
The former Ajax man has been a revelation since his arrival, and the 24-year-old is forging an impressive partnership alongside World Cup winner Raphael Varane.
Ten Hag’s decision to keep faith with Fred pays off
With Scott McTominay suspended and Christian Eriksen unavailable due to illness, Fred was handed his first start, since that chastening afternoon at Brentford, in the goalless draw against Newcastle.
But with McTominay available and Eriksen fit enough to take a place on the bench, Ten Hag kept faith with our number 17.
Alongside Casemiro, Fred was a bundle of energy and put in a big shift for the team. Tottenham couldn’t contain United’s pressing and Fred played an integral part in that, and he opened the scoring with his deflected effort just after half-time.
Bruno Fernandes puts on a clinic
There was a lot of talk in the build-up to tonight’s clash about the fact that Fernandes had only scored one goal this season.
Ten Hag leapt to the defence of the man who has captained the side in Harry Maguire’s absence, and with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, it was another Portuguese star who grabbed the headlines against the north Londoners this time around.
United’s number eight was unplayable tonight, and he was at the heart of everything the twenty-time league champions did well.
Clear where Cristiano Ronaldo stands in pecking order
Ten Hag is focused on making Old Trafford a footballing empire once again, and unfortunately for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, it’s clear where he falls in the former Ajax man’s plans.
When Rashford and Anthony Martial are fit, Ronaldo is seemingly United’s third choice striker and the majority of his starts this season could continue to come in the Europa League.
United dominated Spurs from start to finish, and in the closing stages of the clash, Ronaldo was pictured walking back towards the dressing room.
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