Just a sense that United have managed to get some degree of control of this game. Tottenham’s attacks not quite as regular as they were and the space isn’t as open for them. Not seeing a lot of United going forward but they seem to averted the crisis for now.
Tottenham should be out of sight here. Hard to put into words just how abysmal this first 20 minutes has been. United players can barely muster a jog. Kudus and and Gray queuing up to have a shot at the back post there. Being outclassed and outworked. Carrick needs to get a grip of it and arguably needs to make a change, because to say this is lacking in intensity is an understatement.
Carrick stood with arms folded in the technical area. This has to be of real concern to him. United been woeful so far. Can’t keep the ball, slow and sloppy out of possession. Carrick said his team needed to bring the fire yesterday. No sign of anything even approaching a spark at the moment.
A blast of ‘you cheating b***ards, you know what you are’ from the Stretford End before kick-off. Sounded like a few in the away end might have joined in. Good to see the banners back there as well today, adds something to the atmosphere.
Michael Carrick cited Manchester United's game plan against Tottenham when asked to explain why Leny Yoro had been named in his starting XI.
With Noussair Mazraoui ruled out through injury, it was expected that Diogo Dalot would start at right-back. The Portugal international has started all but one of United's domestic games so far this season, playing the full 90 minutes in their previous three outings.
However, he has dropped to the bench for Saturday's clash with Spurs, with Yoro looking set to start at right-back. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez will start at centre-back with Luke Shaw on the left.
Read the full article here.
Tottenham spent £334m over the summer, but take a quick look at the team sheet and you will wonder where that money has gone. They are not an intimidating side and have failed to score in all but one of their league games this season, so United must take the game by the scruff of the neck from kick-off.
You wonder if Yoro has earned that game after playing so well for France in the international break, when he made his debut for his country. The difference is he did that at centre-back rather than at right-back. Dalot on the bench so doesn’t appear to be an injury issue. Yoro needs games this season but I’m not sure his long-term future lies at right-back.