So finally we have a match that had a clear United Man of the Match. Marcus Rashford not only scored a great first half goal, but also started and completed the move that led to him being fouled by Sissoko that led to the penalty which he himself converted. The Mancunian striker also curled a free-kick just wide, hit the bar with a thunderbolt shot and forced the Spurs keeper into a diving save all before the match was half-an-hour old. Marcus thus ruined Jose Mourinho’s Old Trafford return. Mourinho had hoped to become the first Tottenham manager to win their first three top-flight games in charge of the club.
Man Utd had lost three of their last seven home league against Spurs, having even lost this fixture last season (0-3) and the Boss made four changes from last Sunday’s match versus Aston Villa. Scott McTominay was back but there seems to be no place in this team for Nemanja Matic. Spurs had problems of their own, being without Erik Lamela, Ben Davies and Michel Vorm. Hugo Lloris is not expected to be fit until 2020.
Manchester United had picked up just 18 points from their opening 14 Premier League matches this season (W4 D6 L4), their worst start to a league season since the 1988-89 campaign, when they also had 18 points and went on to finish 11th. With this win, United now move up to 6th place, two points below 5th place Wolves. However there is an 8 point gap between United and Chelsea, who are in 4th.
Rashford has now scored 18 goals this season in all competitions, more that all the other United players put together. The United striker is also top in assists and shots on goal.