Tottenham delivered a stunning performance to dominate 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford, increasing the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag. Despite the absence of injured star Son Heung-min, Spurs showcased their class with a first-half display that left many wondering how they only led by Brennan Johnson’s third-minute goal.
Johnson’s goal was set up by Micky van de Ven, who made an impressive run from his own half. Spurs continued to create multiple scoring opportunities but failed to capitalize, with Timo Werner notably missing a clear chance as United keeper Andre Onana made the save. United’s struggles were compounded when captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off just three minutes before halftime for a foul on James Maddison. By that point, Ten Hag’s team was already disorganized and struggling.
Spurs doubled their lead just two minutes after the break when Dejan Kulusevski expertly lifted the ball over Onana after a rapid counterattack led by Johnson. Dominic Solanke then scored a well-deserved goal 12 minutes from time, converting a header from Pape Matar Sarr during a corner, prompting many United fans to leave Old Trafford early.
In achieving their fourth consecutive win in all competitions, Tottenham produced a complete performance, reminiscent of the exhilarating early days of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure. Just two weeks prior, Spurs had narrowly defeated Coventry City in the Carabao Cup, raising questions about Postecoglou’s management. However, this emphatic victory against a perceived rival offered a strong rebuttal to any doubts.
From the outset, Spurs demonstrated quality, pace, and power, frustrating Postecoglou at times as they sliced through United’s defense with ease but failed to extend their lead. Fortunately for Spurs, Fernandes’ dismissal solidified their advantage, and once Kulusevski scored the second goal, the match was effectively decided, with Solanke adding the finishing touch.
Johnson’s early goal was met with jubilant celebration from his father, David, a former Manchester United player who watched proudly from the directors’ box. This strike marked Johnson’s fourth consecutive game finding the net, responding strongly to recent criticism from Spurs fans. He not only scored but also assisted Dejan Kulusevski’s second goal, playing a crucial role in Spurs’ dominant display.
While Manchester United had a few fleeting moments in the second half, it was clear that this was Spurs’ day, earning them a well-deserved standing ovation from their ecstatic supporters at the final whistle.
For Ten Hag, the pressure is mounting as he navigates a precarious situation at Manchester United, where a single heavy defeat can spiral into a crisis. Although he might cite Fernandes’ dismissal as a contributing factor, United were already being thoroughly outplayed by Spurs well before their captain’s red card for a reckless challenge on Maddison after slipping on the slick Old Trafford pitch.
United’s performance was not just disappointing; it was humiliating. The only player to leave the match with any credit was goalkeeper Onana, who made impressive saves against Werner and Solanke, preventing what could have been an even greater defeat.
The alarming aspect of United’s display was not just their lack of fight as they slipped into the bottom half of the Premier League table, but also their evident tactical confusion and lack of discipline. Mason Mount epitomized this chaos, receiving a foolish yellow card just moments after coming on by clattering into Rodrigo Bentancur. Lisandro Martinez also contributed to the team’s indiscipline with a careless foul on Maddison.
With this dismal performance, Ten Hag will be under intense scrutiny, and there will be little room for excuses after such a comprehensive defeat. United show few signs of improvement or progress from last season, leading to difficult days for Ten Hag—days that are likely testing the patience of the Old Trafford hierarchy, who chose to back him after a post-season review.
