It was dubbed “El Sackio” on social media in the build up to this game as both managers were coming under increasing pressure following recent results. Pre match the Press Room was a hive of activity with so much speculation surrounding the fate of both managers.
It was a cagey opening 20 minutes, both sides setting up with a pragmatic approach, keen not to concede the first goal. United went with a back three with Raphael Varane returning from injury to slot in between Maguire and Lindelof at the back.
In a game where the opening goal was always going to be crucial, Spurs thought they had after 30 minutes when Romero prodded home from close following a glancing header from Dier from a corner only to be foiled by the assistant referee’s flag, confirmed by VAR.
As the half went on, United looked more and more threatening with Ronaldo and the impressive movement and work rate of Cavani in attack. Eight minutes after the disallowed Spurs goal, Manchester United were ahead and in some style from Ronaldo with a Van Basten like volley from a tight angle from a Fernandez cross.
Tottenham were mediocre throughout, the boo’s rang out as the half time whistle went, with even more boo’s throughout the second half as Harry Kane looked anonymous while the natives then turned on their manager as they vented their frustration following an early change with Bergwijn replacing the fans favourite Moura, with a chant of “You don’t know what you’re doing”.
Cavani got the goal his performance thoroughly deserved on the 64th minute. Fernandez robbed young Oliver Skipp of possession, laid it off to Ronaldo who in turn found Cavani with a lovely through ball for the striker to chip it over the on rushing Loris.
Further changes from both sides, with Rashford and Lingard replacing Ronaldo and Cavani, United looked to sit deep and hit on the counterattack. Spurs in truth offered very little and failed to register a shot on target in the whole 90 minutes, leave a lot of questions for the already under pressure Nuno.
Cheers from the away in end in support of club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjear where in stark contrast to the natives who had already turned on manager Nuno and a further chorus of boo’s rang out as Marcus Rashford added a third on the 86th minute.
An impressive win for Solskjear and Man Utd was a game too far for Nuno Espirito Santos and Spurs. Daniel Levey and the Tottenham ownership made the decision on Monday morning to relieve him of his duties. Antonio Conte remains the bookies favourite to take over as he heads to London for talks.
