Owen Hargreaves highlighted one quality moment just before Bryan Mbeumo’s goal that was key in Man Utd’s opening goal.
Manchester United continued their perfect start to life under Michael Carrick, making it four wins from four with a 2–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes proved decisive.
Tottenham started the contest strongly and posed the greater threat in the early stages, although the wet conditions hampered both sides. The turning point arrived just before the half-hour when Spurs captain Cristian Romero was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Casemiro.
United made their numerical advantage count soon after, with Mbeumo breaking the deadlock by finishing off a cleverly worked corner routine.
Casemiro and Amad both went close to extending the lead before the interval, but the hosts went into half-time just one goal ahead. After the restart, United thought they had added to their tally through Amad and Matheus Cunha, only for both efforts to be ruled out for offside.
With 15 minutes remaining, changes were made at both ends, and United eventually secured the win. Fernandes kept his composure to convert a pinpoint cross from Diogo Dalot, sealing another three points for Carrick’s side.
Mainoo’s brilliant assist credited
Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves praised the corner routine which resulted in the opening goal of the game, singling out Kobbie Mainoo for his role in the build-up to the opener.
He said, “The execution, I mean, first of all, Michael Carrick gave Johnny Evans a shout-out. It’s his idea. Look where Kobbie Mainoo drops behind Vicario, gets into space.
“Watch the spin and watch where Mbeumo starts and the spin he puts on the ball without even looking. Normally, that could lead to a counterattack, but the quality and execution from all three players is brilliant.
“Gives Vicario no chance. And I think I like the way as well, Mbeumo, he passes it into the goal. He doesn’t try and smash it. You see Carrick there looking up at the bench, saying, well done, Johnny. I mean, what’s a brilliant set piece, but again, execution by the players. Perfect.”
Mainoo is reaching new levels
After seeing himself frozen out of the squad by Ruben Amorim, not starting any Premier League games, Mainoo has put on four consecutive performances worthy of immense praise to show how wrong the former Portuguese coach was for not utilising the 20-year-old.
Going into his first game under Carrick against Man City, there would have been immense pressure on his shoulders to perform after a large portion of the fanbase were crying out for the 20-year-old to get a chance under Amorim.
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The young midfielder took that in his stride, partnering up brilliantly with Casemiro in the midfield as United cruised to a dominant 2-0 victory over their bitter rivals.
From someone who looked likely to leave in January under Amorim, Mainoo has certainly now become one of the first names on Carrick’s team sheet as the 20-year-old is putting on consecutive brilliant performances that should be giving England boss Thomas Tuchel a serious selection headache ahead of the World Cup in the summer.
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