Bruno Fernandes was shown his first red card at Old Trafford as Manchester United collapsed to a heavy home defeat to Spurs in the Premier League.
A reckless challenge by the Portuguese on James Maddison saw him sent off by Chris Kavanagh in the 42nd minute while United were one-goal down.
Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke all scored for Spurs as the Red Devils suffered a second 3-0 home defeat to a Premier League top-six team after a similar result against Liverpool.
Manchester United Vs Tottenham Premier League record
Manchester United went into the game with a commanding home record against Tottenham Hotspur. They are the second Premier League club after Arsenal to have won more at home (24 times) against a Premier League opponent.
However, it was set to be a tight affair for the Red Devils. From 2021 to 2022, they secured four consecutive Premier League wins over the North London club but were winless in their last three matches.
Also, under Erik ten Hag, United have lost their foothold at Old Trafford against opponents of late. They recorded seven defeats in their last 19 matches at the Stretford End.
While Tottenham went into the game as a better side, they had managed only three wins in their last 15 Premier League matches.
Manchester United Vs Tottenham Hotspur major first-half highlights
Manchester United obviously had their poorest performance in the first half of a Premier League match against Spurs. They struggled with loose balls, missed passes, rough tackles, and poor attack from start to finish.
Building up play from the defense became more difficult. A glaring disconnect between the defenders and midfielders saw the team struggle to keep possession or advance.
In contrast, Tottenham Hotspur dominated proceedings from start to finish and forced the game into United’s half with a more clinical performance. Frequently, they easily intercepted United’s poor passes, broke into the box with ease and forced United goalkeeper Andre Onana to make several clinical saves.
Brennan Johnson gives Tottenham Hotspur a deserved lead
It took the Ange Postecoglou-led side three minutes to race into the lead following the front-footed start to the game. United gave the ball away loosely, and Van de Ven showed fantastic pace to intercept before striding from his half deep into the hosts’ box. Inside the United box, he kept his composure and then crossed the ball to the back post, where Johnson was waiting to tap home.
Brennan Johnson’s goal boosted the visitors’ confidence. The team surprisingly continued dominating possession despite taking the lead.
Tottenham Hotspur’s near-miss in the 20th minute
They came close to doubling the lead in the 20th minute. Udogie had played the ball inside to Kulusevski, who then laid for Johnson. The former Nottingham Forest man shifted onto his right foot before firing goalwards but it bounced off the woodwork before United cleared it.
The visitors continued on their dominant showing going forward. Three minutes after the half-hour, Romero went for the acrobatic as he swung a leg at a cross from the right, and it was a whisker away from finding the bottom corner.
Manchester United’s only chance in the first half
Manchester United obviously had their worst performance so far in the Premier League. They struggled to create chances and were overwhelmed by a dominant Postecoglou’s men.
However, they had their biggest chance in the 37th minute. Rashford had crossed the ball to Garnacho at the back post. The Argentine youngster opted to volley goalwards first time. He nearly got it spot on, but the ball strikes the post and goes out for a goal-kick. It was the closest United came to scoring in the game.
Bruno Fernandes sent off at Old Trafford with red card for the first time
United’s task of getting back into the game was made even harder as Bruno Fernandes received his marching orders.
In his attempt to stop James Maddison in midfield, he caught the Spurs man high on his leg and the referee Chris Kavanagh issued a straight red card and United’s game went from bad to worse. It was the first time Bruno Fernandes has been red carded at Old Trafford.
After Bruno’s red card, Erik ten Hag whisked off Kobbie Mainoo for Mason Mount. Joshua Zirkzee was also taken out for Casemiro after the break but it appears the subs made little or no impact.
Tottenham Hotspur nets second goal a few minutes into the first half
Tottenham Hotspur continued their dominant performance in the second half. The red card for Bruno Fernandes obviously made the game harder for the hosts.
Just two minutes into the second half, Johnson again played a key role as he got away down the right, sending a deflected cross into the middle. Kulusevski was waiting, and he flicked a leg at the ball, sending it past Onana and it was a goal.
United made little attempt to mount a comeback after going down by two unreplied goals. With barely 14 minutes on the clock, Dominic Solanke sealed the win for the visitors. Sarr had flicked Bergvall’s corner from the left. Solanke waited and toed the ball into the back of the net from close range to condemn United to a 3-0 defeat.
Manchester United Premier League struggle this season
The defeat against Tottenham Hotspur has seen United drop to the bottom half of the Premier League table. They are now 12th in the standings with just seven points.
It is the club’s third defeat in their first six games, following back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Liverpool, respectively.
Their two wins in the season came in the opening fixture against Fulham and a thumping 3-0 away victory over Southampton before drawing Crystal Palace on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Obviously, Erik ten Hag will be coming under intense pressure having suffered two shocking home defeats against two teams among the top six in the England top flight.
The Dutchman will hope to return to winning ways in their next Premier League fixture against Aston Villa at the Villa Park on Saturday, October 6, 2024.
Meanwhile, they will be involved in midweek Europa League action against Porto on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
