Manchester United have drawn 2-2 at Tottenham. Here is a look at six things we learned from the game…
United throw it away
Manchester United are developing a worrying habit of failing to see out leads. The team were cruising to a 2-0 victory at half-time and looked like running up the score.
Unfortunately this game followed the script of United’s recent home draw with Sevilla, conceding two second half goals to draw 2-2.
Bruno Fernandes missed a big chance with the score at 2-1 and this was the turning point.
A point isn’t the worst result in the world but this was a let down. United should have sealed all three points and all but sealed a Champions League spot.
United’s search for an away win against a top level Premier League opponent continues.
Jadon Sancho leads the way before fading
Erik ten Hag said in the lead-up to the game that he expects Jadon Sancho to kick on with added confidence after exorcising his Wembley penalty demons in the weekend’s shootout.
Sancho didn’t take long to prove his manager right. He opened the scoring against Tottenham after just seven minutes with a wicked shot arrowed into the bottom corner.
He has had a good run of game time in recent weeks and this was the goal he needed. He immediately looked more confident, taking players on, and came close to adding a second.
Sancho is now up to six goals for the season, and with a strong end to the campaign, he could even target double figures.
Unfortunately his display summed up United’s. He couldn’t built on his promising start and faded, before being substituted in the 61st minute.
United miss chance to flex superiority in front of Harry Kane
Manchester United are a better team than Tottenham. The Red Devils have shown this throughout the season, ahead of them in the league, winning one cup and reaching the final in another.
At 2-0 up at half-time, this was a chance for the team to really flex their muscles and show superiority in front of summer target Harry Kane.
United can still tempt him away this summer, but this was an opportunity to really hammer the point home.
Marcus Rashford’s charge resumes
Marcus Rashford rushed back from injury for the FA Cup semi-final last weekend, pushing himself for the good of the team. He looked a little fresher tonight, playing a key role in United’s goals.
Rashford provided the assist for Sancho’s opener and scored the second goal at the end of the first half.
He is now up to 10 assists for the season and 29 goals. These are fantastic figures, and his 30th goal of the campaign is a matter of when, not if.
Due to injury, this was his first goal since April 5, while the interruption of the international break has also meant he has just three in March and April combined. Rashford will be keen to get back into the rhythm he was in at the start of the year, which begins with staying fit. This was a good start.
Substitutes struggle for United
Erik ten Hag brought on substitutes to try and half Tottenham’s charge but it didn’t really work.
Fred was a poor replacement for Christian Eriksen and struggled to get into the game at all. Tyrell Malacia looked lost when he came on at left-back.
Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial did not produce anything of note and United simply needed better. Erik ten Hag will feel let down by his players.
Aston Villa game is now crucial
United could have wrapped up a top four spot with a win here. Now there is added importance on the game against Aston Villa this weekend.
Villa are surging in form under Unai Emery and will make it an uncomfortable afternoon at Old Trafford.
They can close the gap on United to just three points if they win. We will have two games in hand, but we can put them out of sight with a victory to solidify fourth spot.
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