Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by former manager Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur in their first game after the restart of the Premier League.
As expected, Tottenham sat deep early on and allowed Manchester United to have the ball, but the Red Devils weren’t able to make the most of the possession. Marcus Rashford did force a save from Hugo Lloris, but soon after a brilliant run and finish from Steven Bergwijn put Spurs ahead.
United came out with more intent after half-time and Anthony Martial came close to scoring, only to be denied by a fine stop from Lloris. With ten minutes left, substitute Paul Pogba was brought down inside the box to gift Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and made no mistake, leveling the scoreline.
The points are shared on our #PL return.#MUFC #TOTMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 19, 2020
There was drama late in the game as referee Jon Moss awarded Manchester United another penalty for a foul on Fernandes. However, it was rightly overturned by the VAR, as the two teams shared the spoils. United remain fifth in the table following the result. And here is how we rated the players on the night.
David de Gea: 4/10
While Bergwijn’s shot was powerful no doubt, de Gea should have done better as it was pretty much straight at him and he was able to get two hands to it but couldn’t divert it away from the net. Did make a fine stop from Son Heung-min soon after, however. With Dean Henderson performing exceptionally for Sheffield United, one might think the Spaniard’s No. 1 status is definitely under threat for next season.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6/10
The Englishman was afforded the space to get forward, but he wasn’t always the most willing to push upfield. Even when he did, Wan-Bissaka failed to deliver accurate crosses into the box. Defensively too, not as solid as he has been over the course of the campaign. Scratchy display from the Englishman.
Victor Lindelof: 5/10
Another United defender who looked scratchy after the lockdown. Wasn’t always convincing, as he had a few nervy moments going up against Son Heung-min. Limped off the field late in the game.
Harry Maguire: 4/10
For all his positive attributes, Maguire’s lack of mobility gets exposed way too frequently, as was the case on Friday night when Bergwijn left him dead in the tracks leading up to Tottenham’s goal. Had another sloppy moment in the second period which led to a chance for the hosts. Did win the most aerials in the game (8), but the Manchester United captain must do better.
Luke Shaw: 6/10
The left-back had his task cut out against the threat of Bergwijn and with Serge Aurier bombing forward regularly on his side. Got more and more forward after the half-time break with United on the front foot. However, he lacked the quality and precision on his deliveries to cause Tottenham problems.
Scott McTominay: 6/10
Chosen over Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic, the Scotsman was his typical energetic self on the field, pressing with intensity, going into challenges strongly. Made two tackles, two interceptions and three clearances in the game. No faulting for effort, but lacked the creative element that is needed against teams sitting deep like Tottenham did. Dropped into the backline after Lindelof’s substitution.
Fred: 5/10
Not the best of the games for Fred, who has had a very bright campaign up until this point. Was one of the players that Bergwijn breezed past in the lead-up to the opener. Apart from a fine free-kick delivery to create a chance for Rashford, the Brazilian didn’t offer a lot going forward either. Was subbed off for Paul Pogba in the second period.
Bruno Fernandes: 7/10
It wasn’t the best of Bruno Fernandes that we saw on Friday night, but even then he looked the most likely to make things happen for Manchester United. Made two key passes on the night, had the most shots in the game as well (5). Stepped up and made no mistake from the penalty spot to spare his team the blushes.
Bruno Fernandes’ game by numbers vs. Spurs [Man Utd squad rank]:
28 final third passes attempted [1st]
14 final third passes completed [1st]
8 ball recoveries [2nd]
5 shots [1st]
3 fouls suffered [2nd]
3 shots on target [1st]
2 chances created [1st]
1 goal [1st]Main man. ?? pic.twitter.com/60A0nJlvup
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 19, 2020
Since his Premier League debut, the Portuguese international has been directly involved in more goals than any other player in the competition with three goals and three assists.
Daniel James: 4/10
Poor. The Welshman was on the pitch for a little over an hour during which he made minimal impact. Had one good run in the first period, but overhit his cross for Rashford. Unsurprisingly taken off for Mason Greenwood. Perhaps, Solskjaer would be better off using him as an impact substitute.
Anthony Martial: 5/10
Forced Lloris into a brilliant stop in the second period. That was as good as it got for the Frenchman, who was easily handled by Eric Dier on the night. Had just 20 touches in the game, only two of which were inside the Tottenham box. Needs to offer more intent upfront and attack the box more regularly.
Marcus Rashford: 6/10
Back into the starting XI for the first time since January, the Manchester United No. 10 wasn’t lacking for effort, but lacked that bit of quality to make the difference on the night. Drew a save from Lloris in the first half, but failed to connect with a Fred free-kick soon after. Lost the challenge in the lead-up to Bergwijn’s goal.
Substitutes
Mason Greenwood: 6/10
Came on for the ineffective James a little after the hour mark. Was an improvement on the man he replaced, offering much more than what James had done. Helped United get on the front foot in the latter stages and had a shot that missed narrowly. Deserves to start next time out.
Paul Pogba: 7/10
Paul Pogba’s game by numbers vs. Spurs (34 minutes played):
100% long pass accuracy
94% pass accuracy
4 ball recoveries
2/2 take-ons
2 blocks
1/1 tackle
1 penalty won
1 shotChanged the game. ??? pic.twitter.com/1yOBMCcXVO
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 19, 2020
Making his first appearance since December, the Frenchman made a significant difference after coming on for Fred. Offered more drive from the middle and it was his clever footwork that won the decisive penalty for Manchester United. Positive return for Pogba and hopefully he continues to build on it.
Odion Ighalo: N/A
Came on for Rashford in the 78th minute. Not enough time to make a difference.
Nemanja Matic: N/A
Replaced a limping Lindelof with a little over 10 minutes left. His presence provided the likes of Pogba and Fernandes more freedom to get forward.
Eric Bailly: N/A
Late substitute for McTominay as Solskjaer looked to shore things up at the back.
