Michael Carrick’s Manchester United won a fourth-straight Premier League game as they beat 10-man Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
WATCH — Full match replay
After Spurs skipper Cristian Romero was shown a straight red card in the first half, United took the most of the opportunity as Bryan Mbeumo scored soon after and Bruno Fernandes sealed the victory late on.
MORE — Michael Carrick reaction | Thomas Frank reaction
With the win United move on to 44 points and are eight games unbeaten in the Premier League, while Thomas Frank’s injury-hit and beleaguered Spurs stay on 29 points and are now in the relegation scrap.
MORE — Man United v Spurs player ratings
Composed, solid United could sneak into the title race
Of course, things could still go badly wrong at Man United for Michael Carrick. But there is a real chance they could sneak into the title race. Why? Well, there wasn’t that much wrong with United when Ruben Amorim was fired and Carrick placed in charge on an interim basis. Carrick has just created a more solid unit and allowed the attacking players to have extra freedom in the moments and areas of the pitch where they should be let free. That has led to four straight wins and there is now confidence flowing through this very settled United side. Casemiro and Mainoo have given the back four a very solid shield and having Bruno Fernandes float around to cause chaos alongside the buzzing trio of Cunha, Mbeumo and Diallo is working so well. United’s next three games are very winnable and they have fewer games than all of the teams around them as they are no longer in domestic cups and don’t have Europe to worry about. Again, Carrick and United’s players aren’t going to get ahead of themselves given how many times they’ve had bad runs in recent years. But maybe that’s a good thing as they won’t ease off the gas now the good times, and wins, look like returning for an extended period of time?
What’s next?
Man United travel to West Ham on Tuesday, then have a long break as they head to Everton on Monday, February 23. Spurs host Newcastle on Tuesday.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur score: 2-0
Mbeumo 38', Fernandes 81'
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Fernandes finishes!
Bruno Fernandes with the clincher in the pouring rain and United are going to win a fourth-straight Premier League game.
Rain is hammering down
Can United get the crucial second goal? With just over 10 minutes to go the rain is hammering down at Old Trafford and United are seeing plenty of the ball, but Spurs are hanging in there.
Dalot has a pop from distance which Vicario saves, while United want a penalty kick
Diogo Dalot curls a shot from distance which Vicario saves well. United pushing hard for a second and Maguire went down from a corner as he looked to be held by Van de Ven. No penalty kick.
Spurs have been okay in the last few minutes
Xavi Simons is at the heart of everything for Spurs and they have found attacking impetus from somewhere. They couldn’t grab a point from this, could they!?
Amad scores, but he’s offside
Luke Shaw’s bobbly effort across goal is flicked in at the back post by Amad Diallo, but he’s clearly offside. No goal. Play on.
Half time: Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Pretty even game until Romero was sent off, then United sensed their moment and took it. They’ve had the better chances throughout and Thomas Frank will be ruing a moment of madness from his captain.
Vicario with a fine stop to deny Casemiro
A cross is flicked on by Solanke towards his own goal and Casemiro powers a header on target at the back post but Vicario does really well to tip it over.
Mbeumo slots home after a nice set-piece routine!
Bryan Mbeumo slots home a low effort after a set-piece routine off the training ground. United lead and look well on track for a fourth-straight league win under Carrick.
Red card for Romero
Spurs captain Cristian Romero shown a straight red card after overrunning the ball. He clattered in to Casemiro and it’s a huge challenge to the ankle. Romero putting Spurs in a bad spot, days after his outburst about the squad depth at Spurs.
Udogie booked for taking out Amad
Amad Diallo turns sharply and he is away from Udogie, but the Spurs left wing-back hauls him down.
Fernandes goes close this time
Amad Diallo now runs towards goal under little pressure from Spurs and he tees up Bruno Fernandes. He sweeps his effort across goal but wide. Fernandes really should be hitting the target there and United’s chances are piling up. Spurs have to get closer to them around the box.
Cunha curls inches wide!
Brilliant driving run from Diogo Dalot on the right and nobody went to him. He played in Mateus Cunha and the Brazilian curls a sweeping first-time effort inches wide of the top corner. Magnificent effort from a player in fine form.
Decent spell from Spurs
A few chances for Spurs and Gallagher and Sarr have efforts blocked. A great Udogie cross from the left almost finds Van de Ven and Solanke but Maguire gets a flick on it and Martinez was wrestling dangerously with Solanke who fell to the floor. Much better from Spurs.
Vicario pushes away Casemiro’s effort
Casemiro takes a touch and has a pop from distance which is on target and Vicario does well to push it away from danger. United not scared to have a pop today.
Mbeumo smashes over!
So direct from United right away and Bruno Fernandes plays in Bryan Mbeumo but he lashes his effort just over the bar. Lively start from the hosts! Spurs looked a little ragged defensively there.
Manchester United lineup
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
Tottenham Hotspur lineup
Vicario; Palhinha, Romero, Van de Ven; Gray, Gallagher, Sarr, Udogie; Odobert, Simons; Solanke
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur preview — By Nick Mendola
The Red Devils’ wins over Man City, Arsenal, and Fulham are all part of a seven-match Premier League unbeaten run dating back to Boxing Day, and United have climbed into fourth place with 41 points. That’s five points back of third-place Aston Villa yet barely clear of chasers Chelsea and Liverpool.
Spurs are looking for a win above anything, winless in six-straight Premier League games. Their latest outing was an impressive fightback to draw Manchester City in North London that came on the heels of a good 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United team news, focus
OUT: Patrick Dorgu (thigh), Matthijs de Ligt (unspecified - MORE), Mason Mount (knock)
Tottenham Hotspur team news, focus
OUT: Kevin Danso (toe), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Richarlison (hamstring), Mohammed Kudus (groin), Lucas Bergvall (ankle), Pedro Porro (hamstring), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (torn ACL - MORE), Ben Davies (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Djed Spence (calf)
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction
Thomas Frank could use another big-name result to cool his perhaps-hot seat, but Spurs injury list remains more novel than short story. Man United made the most of their talent to earn their 3-2 win over Fulham, but they were controlled for long stretches of play. They may need more moments of magic on Saturday. Manchester United 2-1 Spurs.
How to watch Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday
Venue: Old Trafford — Greater Manchester
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch on USA Network
