Young excels but Mkhitaryan poor again
Manchester United, 1-0 winners over Tottenham on Saturday, got the victory in the big game that many said they needed. It allowed them to keep pace in the Premier League with Manchester City and to recover from two poor results against Huddersfield Town and Liverpool.
The win, coming after a late strike from Anthony Martial had provided the game with its only goal, was a little hard on Tottenham, who had more attempts on goal even without Harry Kane.
This was not a performance whose DVD the purists will be viewing in years to come -- yet it was typically and brutally effective from Jose Mourinho. To many supporters that is all that will matter come next May.
Positives
Martial was decisive, Ashley Young was surprisingly creative from left wing-back and Marcus Rashford -- until his surprising substitution -- was a constant source of attacking invention.
Negatives
United's passing was generally poor, the team completing less than 70 percent of them, which left the forwards isolated for long periods. Henrikh Mkhitaryan struggled through another very poor game, and looks out of any kind of rhythm.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Mourinho's team began the first half brightly but then retreated, which seems to have been by design.
His players resorted to long balls long before the break and sat disappointingly deep. He cast his reactive tactics aside a little in the second half and the game opened up considerably, giving United more chances and ultimately helping to lead to their win.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK David De Gea, 7 -- Came for the ball confidently whenever it was in the air and played the ball out calmly whenever under pressure. Was quickly off his line whenever danger threatened.
DF Antonio Valencia, 7 -- A bright start on the flank, which petered out a little, but he remained defensively solid and probably should have scored with a rising drive late on.
DF Chris Smalling, 7 -- Composed, unfussy, with good passing from the back, and was sharply across to cover when danger emerged.
DF Phil Jones, 7 -- Another good outing. Closed down quickly whenever the opposition were set to break and did not overcomplicate when in possession.
DF Eric Bailly, 7 -- Coped well with the threat of Dele Alli, though was probably lucky not to get sanctioned for his robust approach. United have missed his assurance on the ball.
DF Ashley Young, 8 -- Has a strong claim to be his team's strongest performer. Began the game with a superb pass into the channel, continued it with a fine run down the wing and generally defended with intelligence and resolution -- he even found time for a needless spat with Alli, too.
MF Ander Herrera, 7 -- A mixed bag, being tenacious in the tackle but less than poised in possession. Lately he has played like someone who does not expect to have much of the ball, which is an indictment of Mourinho's tactics more than anything else. Improved in the second half and looked sharp on the break.
MF Nemanja Matic, 7 -- Provided the defence with a good screen, with some fine passing moves, though was caught in possession more than usual -- a testament to Spurs' fine pressing.
MF Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 4 -- A disappointment. Conceded possession with worrying regularity and in situations where you would expect him to execute what, for him, were relatively straightforward passes. Looked short of invention and confidence when running at his opposite man. The effort is there but the end product is not.
FW Marcus Rashford, 7 -- A lively presence wherever he was in the final third, testing the defence from dead balls or when running at them. A typically fearless performance and it was a surprise to see him withdrawn.
FW Romelu Lukaku, 7 -- Toiled a great deal without possession but was eventually rewarded for his labours with the assist for Martial's winner, a superb flick-on from De Gea's clearance. Hit the post with an excellent header and generally held the ball up well, dropping to either flank to build the play and drive the ball into dangerous areas.
Michael Regan/Getty Images
Substitutes:
MF Jesse Lingard, 7 -- His speed stretched Spurs at the back and he added a measure of creativity too. Should have done better with a late run through on goal.
MF Anthony Martial, 8 -- Full of ambition from the moment he stepped on the field, and was quick to show his array of skills. Was ruthless when he needed to be -- this is as important a goal as he will score all season.
DF Matteo Darmian, N/R -- Came on to run down the clock, and was barely involved after his introduction.
Source: espn.co.uk
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