Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Manchester United
If there was ever likely to be one man to produce the goods just when they were needed the most – and perhaps offer a stay of execution for his manager – then Cristiano Ronaldo was always likely to be that saviour.
Never mind that Manchester United’s Premier League opponents Spurs were almost as woeful as the Red Devils had been themselves six days earlier.
Never mind that I knew of some United fans who were reluctantly hoping their team may not win simply to spark a change at the helm.
Never mind that there is still some way back before the team, let alone the manager, restores credibility.
This was all about the result, bouncing back from last weekend’s embarrassment and producing some Premier League 2021 highlights for themselves and their fans to savour.
Led by Ronaldo, United certainly did that in North London.
Highlights of the game
Home boss Nuno Espirito Santo responded to Spurs’ defeat at West Ham by making two changes with Ben Davies in for Sergio Reguilon at left-back and Giovani Lo Celso replacing Tanguy Ndombele in midfield.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, meanwhile, brought in Raphael Varane and Edinson Cavani as United also made two changes with the recently returned Marcus Rashford and youngster Mason Greenwood named on the bench.
The SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds edged towards a victory for United, who were in danger of suffering three consecutive Premier League defeats for the first time since December 2015.
And, of course, there was no disguising the pressure on their manager with critics this week pointing out that United lack an identity and a style of their own, despite Solskjaer being nearly three years in the Old Trafford hot seat – the first three months as interim boss.
On saying that, some pundits have not been too impressed with Spurs this season, claiming they are a ‘hard watch’.
And so it proved as the home team failed to muster a single effort on target throughout the 90 minutes.
When making a substitution early in the second half to loud boos, elements of the home support boomed out “you don’t know what you’re doing” at their manager.
And the most vocal anger was directed at chairman Daniel Levy as chants of “We want Levy out” echoed around the vast stadium.
By contrast, United and Ronaldo had too much know-how and class.
After Son Heung-min got in behind the United defence but volleyed over from close range and Cristian Romero had a goal disallowed for offside, United began to build momentum.
Six minutes before the break, Bruno Fernandes bent a glorious ball over the Spurs left-back Davies and Ronaldo peeled away expertly to dispatch an angled volley past Hugo Lloris.
Shortly after the hour, Fernandes gained possession and found his countryman again, and Ronaldo released Cavani, who dinked the ball over the goalkeeper.
The contest was finished long before sub Rashford ran through a non-existent home rearguard to confidently rifle in the third.
I have my doubts that this win against a side with such flaws means a corner has been turned for United.
This was a vast improvement though.
Key statistics
At 36 years and 267 days old, Ronaldo is the oldest player to both score and assist a goal in a Premier League game since Didier Drogba in December 2014 – who was also 36 years 267 days and also did so against Spurs.
Spurs (nine) have scored their fewest number of goals after 10 Premier League games since 2013-14 (also nine).
Nuno Espirito Santo has lost five of his first 10 Premier League matches as Spurs manager (five wins) – just as Christian Gross did in 1997-98 in his first matches in charge of the north Londoners.
Tottenham have lost more Premier League games against Manchester United than they have against any other side in the competition (37).
After a six-game winless run away to Tottenham in the Premier League (three draws, three defeats), Manchester United have won three of their last four visits to Spurs in the competition (one draw).
Just one of the last seven Premier League matches between Tottenham and United have been won by the home side, with United winning 2-1 at Old Trafford in December 2019.
This was only a second clean sheet for United in 22 matches in all competitions.
What’s next?
European and domestic duties is the focus for both clubs in the week ahead.
Spurs host Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday (November 4) before a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton three days later.
For United, they have a quick turnaround as they are in Italy to meet Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday night and then welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby next Saturday lunchtime (November 6).
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