On October 4, 2020, Manchester United faced Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League match at Old Trafford. Tottenham Hotspur secured a stunning 6-1 victory, a result that marked one of Manchester United’s heaviest home defeats in Premier League history.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Manchester United: 1 (Bruno Fernandes 2′ (pen.))
- Tottenham Hotspur: 6 (Tanguy Ndombele 4′, Son Heung-min 7′, 37′, Harry Kane 30′ (pen.), 79′, Serge Aurier 51′)
- Possession:
- Manchester United had 38% possession, while Tottenham Hotspur had 62%. Despite playing away, Spurs dominated possession, controlling the tempo of the game and dictating the play, particularly after taking the lead early in the first half.
- Shots:
- Tottenham Hotspur registered 22 shots, with 8 on target, showcasing their relentless attacking approach and efficiency in front of goal. Manchester United had 5 shots, with 2 on target, reflecting their struggle to create chances after going down to 10 men.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Tottenham displayed a passing accuracy of 85%, completing 559 passes out of 656 attempts. Manchester United had a passing accuracy of 76%, completing 299 passes out of 393 attempts. Tottenham’s superior passing and control were key to their dominant performance.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Manchester United made 21 tackles compared to Tottenham’s 13, highlighting their efforts to regain possession and disrupt Tottenham’s fluid play. However, United’s defense was overwhelmed, particularly after being reduced to 10 men following Anthony Martial’s red card.
- Set Pieces:
- Tottenham’s goals came primarily from open play, with a mix of individual brilliance and defensive errors from United contributing to the scoreline. Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were particularly effective, combining for multiple goals and creating havoc in United’s defense. Serge Aurier added a goal from a well-worked move down the right flank.
- Individual Performances:
- Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were the standout players for Tottenham Hotspur, each scoring twice and providing assists for one another. Their combination play was devastating for United’s defense. Tanguy Ndombele was also instrumental, scoring the equalizer early on and controlling the midfield. For Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes scored an early penalty but was unable to influence the game thereafter.
- Tactical Overview:
- Tottenham Hotspur employed a 4-3-3 formation under José Mourinho, focusing on quick transitions, high pressing, and exploiting the pace of Son and Kane. Manchester United used a 4-2-3-1 formation but struggled to adapt after Martial’s red card, which left them vulnerable defensively and unable to maintain any sustained pressure.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw two yellow cards and one red card, all for Manchester United (Luke Shaw 60′, Scott McTominay 90+3′, Anthony Martial 28′ (red)). Martial’s red card for an altercation with Erik Lamela was a turning point in the match, leaving United a man down and compounding their defensive woes.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Tottenham Hotspur won 7 corners compared to Manchester United’s 2, reflecting their sustained offensive pressure. Tottenham were caught offside twice, while United had one offside call, indicating the attacking intent and high defensive line employed by Spurs.
Summary
Tottenham Hotspur’s 6-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford was a remarkable and historic result, highlighting both Tottenham’s attacking prowess and Manchester United’s defensive vulnerabilities. Despite Bruno Fernandes giving United the lead with a penalty in the second minute, Spurs quickly responded, with goals from Tanguy Ndombele, Son Heung-min, and Harry Kane turning the game decisively in their favor. Anthony Martial’s red card in the 28th minute for an altercation with Erik Lamela left United with 10 men and further opened the floodgates, as Tottenham continued to pile on the pressure.
The combination of Kane and Son was particularly devastating, as they exploited the gaps in United’s defense and were involved in multiple goals. Serge Aurier added to United’s misery with a well-taken goal in the second half, and Kane completed the rout with a second goal in the 79th minute. The match was a significant statement from José Mourinho’s Tottenham, showcasing their potential as title contenders, while Manchester United faced criticism for their defensive frailties and lack of discipline.
The result was one of the heaviest home defeats in Manchester United’s Premier League history and raised questions about their readiness to compete at the top level. For Tottenham, the victory was a massive boost, demonstrating their attacking firepower and solidifying their place among the league’s top teams.
