[Inigo Montoya]

Yep. Different day maybe one of those finds its way in and it's 2-0 and it's a completely different feel at the end. It's why I disagree with the people saying "we were shite in the 2nd half", we had a handful of chances where we could have gone up 2-0. Complete shite would have had us looking clueless and creating no chances.

People forget we played a good side.

Spurs are ahead of us ATM but we did well

 

[VivaJesperBlomqvist]

Ole’s post match interviews are just wonderful. So humble and part of a collective ethos. He’s starting to look a lot more credible too. I am definitely gunning for Ole Gunnar to be our manager

 

[MAME DIOUF 32]

I shed a little tear at full time. My position hasn't changed from while the poisonous little toad was still here: I don't care about results for the rest of the season, I just want to enjoy watching United again. For the first time in years this is the real Manchester United. I can live with wherever we finish if we keep playing real football with speed and commitment.

 

[Gasolin]

I just want to say that in any other time, it's Sanchez coming in for Martial. And then we could crush them again. Also, did Poch just rely on a big guy upfront to try to deflect some headers? Yeah, great... whatever. We won it in the most classic way. And as others have mentioned, Lloris could have missed his saves against Pogba several time.

 

[Raees]

You forgot to put home in inverted commas.

My bad... just wanted to point out that it is not abnormal even for much greater sides than ours to face being under the cosh when they're away from home and leading going into the last 10 minutes.

 

[Darkhorsez]

Poch just said the second-half performance is one of the best from Spurs in his time. Hard to argue, they really threw everything at us. If they'd won we couldn't argue.

Yeah ... that extra desire and fight and DDG got us there just about. Spurs attack is incredible.

 

[Berbaclass]

Yeah e

We were good but not that good!

Exactly, not good enough.

That sort of attitude I don’t want from a Manchester United manager. Like Ole just said Manchester United expect to win every game, losing isn’t acceptable.

 

[saivet]

Thought we were good in the first half and while it was tight, I think we were the slightly better team.

A bit fortunate Spurs finishing were wasteful in the second half but we had a few good chances ourselves in the half.

 

[No Idea For Nickname]

 

[JustinC00]

Great first half, terrible second.

Lucky not to get equalized if not lose.

and Spurs was lucky Pogba's 2 shots didn't go in to make it 3-0

 

[Treble]

Great first 60 min, the team looked transformed, solid in defence and dangerous when counter attacking.

In the last 30 min. the defensive shape disappeared and it was mostly Spurs vs David de God, a bit like against Arsenal away last season.

The first 60 min were excellent though and provide a good basis for further postive steps. Great job by Ole so far.

 

[Jazz]

Exactly. Someone mentioned in 2nd page that our lads worked really hard to make sure De Gea didn't have to face any shots with zero pressure and apart from Delle Alli's 1 v 1... we were generally quite close in terms of pressure. Obviously our defence is still a shambles IMO but the fact their heart is in the right place and they're working their socks off again means we will pick up more points than lose and it should hopefully be enough to get top 4.

I never felt that Spurs were ever completely just walking through our defence and getting open shots at goal, there was always an air of urgency to their attack as they were anxious about us getting back and sticking a foot in. Also good pressing in the front three area too. Only person who was very loose defensively was Pogba IMO as he let Eriksen run the show far too much.

Yeah they were having quite a few long range shots as well. We definitely didn't do too bad, but the big thing is we defended as a team. Total commitment and very good to see.

 

[Macern]

What a game, what a win. I want to marry De Gea.

We’re in desperate need of a commanding center back who can spread some confidence and calmness into the team and allow the surrounding players to press high and have faith in the defence to not mess up. We played way too deep because of a lack of this player to organize the defense and midfield.

Matic can be a liability in games like this. His marking is terrible when the opponent is playing quickly. Allowed Spurs to control the game and play through the midfield far too easy.

Nevertheless, we won away against Spurs and Solskjær now has 6/6, 5/5 in the league. Happy days!

 

[chiz2kul]

Anyone else between the sticks and its a completely different game. I'll keep on saying this - DDG is the most important player on the team.
Sh1t ball distribution though

 

[Atheist]

Having a good goalkeeper makes us "lucky" now?

 

[RMD83]

We got a bit lucky today but we made our luck. On reflection we took a good chance and they fluffed numerous good chances thanks to poor finishing and the excellence of DDG. A great away win against a top team to build on.

 

[Tomuś]

Did some people seriously expect a v.good, title-challenging Spurs side not to go all guns blazing in the second half after being battered at the other end and trailing 0-1 to try and get a result?

 

[podurban2]

I mean this in a good way, but did Ole just pull a Mourinho, but successfully.

Sit back, hit on counter, grab a goal, soak up pressure, win 1-nil.

We didn’t sit back in the first half. Under SAF we would also do this, especially against a top team away from home if we are 1-0 up. Though we don’t have Vidic and Rio this time around so it becomes more shaky.

 

[Cockney Phil]

Back to Squeaky bum time, Ole on the bench and De Gea making saves, it felt like the last six years was just a horrible dream.

Our defence is average for the prem but then Spurs, for all their efforts, never finished them off. Even Jones in the second half stood up to the test. I think the defenders will get more confidence from this second clean sheet. The weakness is not so much their ability as their play. They too often stand square and let the runners go. The complication was Matic letting the runners go, almost handing them over to the defenders but on the edge of the box - very risky play. For some reason Shaw gave up defending, which led Pogba to shout a him. Young was giving it his all but his legs give up on him.

Pogba was the tale of two halves. Supreme in the first half and stupid in the second. The card was for a deliberate foul which could have cost us with a stricter ref. No player steps over a ball by stretching a foot against an oppos thigh. He needs to cast off these moments and become the top player with all the ability he possesses. Anyway, as Pogba declined Ander stepped up and was snapping at the Spurs heels and defended very well when called on.

Up front Rashford was outstanding and looked better than Kane. Jesse and Martial also played well but they were in Rashford’s shadow. Rom tried but withot a goal his sub looked a poor choice because his hold up play was horrible again.

After the game Ole talked about planning and tactics, and in so doing put a big stamp on his candidature for the job. Marcus and Dave talking after the game appeared very happy, a perfect end of the day after he got his MoTM for 11 saves.

 

[Buster15]

That wasn't parking the bus.

No it wasn't. Tottenhams fitness and strength pushed us back.
But an excellent win.

 

[goldenballs]

The only minus I can put on today's game, is that we defended a little too deep for comfort in the last 15 mins. We allowed them unrestricted access to enter our half.

 

[Jazz]

Having a good goalkeeper makes us "lucky" now?

You always need some luck anyway!

DeGea is paid that much for a reason. Just awesome. And he can still improve imho.

 

[Pass and Move]

With regards to Ole’s tactics of playing Lingard central with Martial and Rashford wider, he was understandably coy about the reasoning saying he simply though it would be effective in this match.

What do you guys think motivated the switch from previous line ups with Rashford central?

 

[Nate Dogg]

It's worth pointing out Herrera was fantastic again.

 

[Treble]

Exactly. Someone mentioned in 2nd page that our lads worked really hard to make sure De Gea didn't have to face any shots with zero pressure and apart from Delle Alli's 1 v 1... we were generally quite close in terms of pressure. Obviously our defence is still a shambles IMO but the fact their heart is in the right place and they're working their socks off again means we will pick up more points than lose and it should hopefully be enough to get top 4.

I never felt that Spurs were ever completely just walking through our defence and getting open shots at goal, there was always an air of urgency to their attack as they were anxious about us getting back and sticking a foot in. Also good pressing in the front three area too. Only person who was very loose defensively was Pogba IMO as he let Eriksen run the show far too much.

I'm afraid that's a bit too optimistic. It was a terrible defensive performance in the second half and only DDG and poor finishing stopped Spurs from scoring 4-5 goals. I doubt that Spurs have had 11 shots on target in one half all season.

 

[IAmAWinner]

De Gea saved our butts today. First half and the opening 10-15 minutes of the second half was really good. Could have scored more than once. Our defence was open throughout the whole of the game. Really lucky not to concede 3 or more. Really need to strengthen our defence in the summer.

 

[Gasolin]

With regards to Ole’s tactics of playing Lingard central with Martial and Rashford wider, he was understandably coy about the reasoning saying he simply though it would be effective in this match.

What do you guys think motivated the switch from previous line ups with Rashford central?

Speed, we were looking for speed because their full backs wanted to go up more and more, so whenever one comes up, we went the other way.

 

[Im red2]

Poch just said the second-half performance is one of the best from Spurs in his time. Hard to argue, they really threw everything at us. If they'd won we couldn't argue.

Agree, thought they were brilliant, just thank God for us we had De Gea.

 

[dogwithabone]

Yep. Different day maybe one of those finds its way in and it's 2-0 and it's a completely different feel at the end. It's why I disagree with the people saying "we were shite in the 2nd half", we had a handful of chances where we could have gone up 2-0. Complete shite would have had us looking clueless and creating no chances.

Absolutely right. We were the best team in first half and for first 10-15 minutes of second half. Spurs had a good last half hour and six of DDG’s saves were expected saves. Just because he saved 11 shots doesn’t mean they should have scored 11 goals ! We’ve got the best keeper on the planet, so what ? Schmiechel won us countless points as we won trophies galore, Brian Clough wouldn’t have won half what he won without the best keeper in the world at the time. Having a great keeper IS NOT a stroke of luck. He’s clearly well coached and we have invested stacks of time in his development.

 

[Member 115509]

It's just a pleasure going into these big games now and watching United play football, actually going for a win rather than trying to stifle the life out of the opposition, hang on and nick a win or a draw. True, United had to hang on in there at times today, especially in the 2nd half, but at least you always suspected that another goal (or two) might come on the break.
Even though Mourinho was defensively-minded, United showed more steel today when under pressure than under Mourinho's regime. I think it is fair to say that United, as a whole have improved out of all recognition in the last few games. DDG's post match comments today summed it up after the the way he kept Spurs out in that second half.
Watching United today was almost like..........watching Man United. The way it should be.
The ironic thing is today's result and performance was the type Mourinho craved but couldn't produce with the same players at his disposal.

 

[No Idea For Nickname]

 

[Tom Cato]

Some of you guys need to calm down a bit I've not seen so much negativity since Jose was boss, and that is after our strongest victory so far by FAR.

Tottenham is an incredibly well structured team who honestly were having a great day at the job. Did people forget we outplayed them in the first half? I mean, did you expect Tottenham not to go full tilt for an equalizer in the second half? Of course they were. This was always going to be how the game transpired.

The only thing this game lacked from SAF was a Fergie-time 2-0 goal 92 minutes in.

 

[GhastlyHun]

I enjoy your current run a lot for all the shit it piles on the sour one.

 

[R'hllor]

If as United fan you are not enjoying this win then dunno what to say, regardless of performance opinions.

 

[SAFC1]

De Gea was absolutely superb!

 

[Atheist]

There wasn't anyone on the bench who could have helped in the second half when Spurs were doing their onslaught. Pereira and Fred certainly didn't instill any confidence with their performances vs Reading last week.

 

[Treble]

The pressing worked well in the first 60 min but after that they were going through our midfield without problems. Did the players get tired or decided to sit deep? Whatever, the first 60 min provide the template for the next (big) games.

 

[dwd]

My bad... just wanted to point out that it is not abnormal even for much greater sides than ours to face being under the cosh when they're away from home and leading going into the last 10 minutes.

Oh I agree, it’s just what our disappearing resident Spurs fan always does.

 

[PieCrust]

Then you'll never be happy watching United.

Spurs are a very good side. You can't expect to go there and boss the game for 90 minutes. We were the better side for the first hour and should have been 2-0 up. Ole has barely had any time to properly with with the players. He and Phelan have done very well to have made the difference they have so quickly but there is obviously going to be work still to do and players who need to be changed.

Just enjoy that we won away against a very good team.

I can enjoy the match however I please, thanks.

The fact is the 2nd half presented by United was fking awful.

 

[Raees]

I'm afraid that's a bit too optimistic. It was a terrible defensive performance in the second half and only DDG and poor finishing stopped Spurs from scoring 4-5 goals. I doubt that Spurs have had 11 shots on target in one half all season.

The thing is there is no way that defence could have performed any better. On paper it is a terrible defence.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

Christ.....we did that the hard way, but that's a MASSIVE 3 pts and Ole's United march on still perfect!

DDG was superhuman, our defence however was vile. Lindelöf, aside. Absolutely vile. Jose was definitely right about that part, and it needs addressing in a major way but we'll have to limp on with what we have til the summer.

Thought Herrera had a belting game as well, very impressive.

GET. IN. THERE.