Tottenham Hotspur put additional pressure on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag with a convincing 3-0 victory at Old Trafford, leaving United struggling early in the Premier League season. The match began energetically for Spurs, who scored almost immediately after kickoff. Brennan Johnson tapped in from a cross by Micky Van de Ven, who had made a powerful run down the left, finding the net just three minutes into the game. This early goal set the stage for a dominant Tottenham performance that proved too much for a weary United side. Spurs had multiple opportunities to extend their lead before a turning point arrived in the first half—when United’s captain Bruno Fernandes earned a straight red card, reducing his team to ten men just before the halftime whistle.
After the dismissal of Fernandes, the momentum shifted decisively in favor of Tottenham. Just two minutes into the second half, Dejan Kulusevski increased the visitors’ lead, turning the match into a uphill battle for United. This was compounded by the fact that United started the season with heightened scrutiny on Ten Hag, who was already under pressure after a tumultuous previous season. Although he managed to stave off immediate concerns with a surprising FA Cup victory over rivals Manchester City, the current season’s poor performance—culminating in three losses out of six games—suggests a precarious position as they languish in 11th place in the league.
Manchester United’s upcoming fixtures appear daunting, with tough away matches against FC Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the league. These games take on added significance as clubs often utilize the two-week international break to reassess managerial situations. The performance against Tottenham showcased the depth of issues within United, particularly in the defensive strategies and leadership on the field that Ten Hag needed to address promptly. Failure to improve in these next encounters could lead to significant changes—including possible termination of Ten Hag’s contract—as frustration mounts among fans and stakeholders.
Tottenham, meanwhile, is experiencing a resurgence under manager Ange Postecoglou. Just over a week prior to the match, Postecoglou faced scrutiny, but a string of four consecutive victories transformed the narrative around his leadership. The game against United was particularly telling, as it showcased some of the best football Spurs have played under his reign. Van de Ven’s impressive run, culminating in the assist for Johnson’s opening goal, illustrated both the tactical fluidity and attacking potency in Postecoglou’s system, especially in the absence of injured captain Son Heung-min.
While Spurs showed composure and tactical execution, the same cannot be said for United. The home team’s struggles were evident in both the absence of effective leadership and the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Andre Onana was forced into action to deny chances from James Maddison and Timo Werner, while the best chance from United came from Joshua Zirzkee—who was thwarted by an impressive save from Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. It was clear that United, as Ten Hag sought to adapt to a reduced squad, struggled under the weight of their captain’s reckless dismissal, illustrating the fragility of their current form.
In the latter stages of the game, Tottenham’s dominance was capped off by a third goal from Dominic Solanke, who capitalized on a corner and showcased United’s ongoing defensive frailties. Even after the third goal, Solanke had an opportunity to extend the lead further but was denied by Onana. The visiting fans took the opportunity to taunt Ten Hag, chanting that he would be sacked. The commentary around Ten Hag’s management at United has grown increasingly critical, especially given that less than three months earlier, the club’s new football leadership had extended his contract. As results continue to flounder, it seems increasingly likely that the club will be forced into difficult decisions if performances do not improve swiftly.
