Manchester United 0 – 3 Tottenham Hotspur: An In-Depth Analysis of Player Performances and Tactical Failures

Manchester United’s poor form continued with a devastating 3-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, further plunging the club into a state of crisis. With many key players underperforming and the team looking out of sorts, this result leaves the Red Devils facing serious questions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the individual performances, highlighting where things went wrong for United.

Goalkeeper

Andre Onana (7/10)
Despite the heavy defeat, Andre Onana was one of the few players who managed to come out of the game with some credit. The Cameroonian shot-stopper made two or three crucial saves that prevented the scoreline from becoming even more embarrassing. His agility and shot-stopping ability kept United in the match for longer than they deserved. However, there was little he could do to prevent the goals from going in. The defensive frailties in front of him were so pronounced that even a world-class goalkeeper like Onana couldn’t bail them out completely.

Defenders

Noussair Mazraoui (6/10)
Mazraoui was arguably United’s best defender, which says more about the overall defensive performance than it does about his individual contributions. The Moroccan right-back made several crucial interceptions and tackles, doing his best to stop the Tottenham onslaught. His positioning was decent, and his anticipation helped disrupt some of Spurs’ dangerous movements. However, Mazraoui couldn’t offer much going forward and was often left isolated on the right flank, especially when Diogo Dalot failed to provide adequate support.

Matthijs de Ligt (4/10)
De Ligt had a shaky game, one of his worst performances in a United shirt. Tottenham’s forwards, particularly Son Heung-min and Richarlison, seemed to have his number throughout the match. De Ligt struggled to deal with their pace and movement, often being caught out of position. His usually strong aerial presence was nullified, and his passing out from the back lacked the usual composure. This kind of performance will do little to quell the growing concerns about United’s defensive solidity.

Lisandro Martinez (3/10)
Martinez had a similarly poor outing, often making critical errors that directly led to Tottenham’s goals. His most glaring mistake came when he lost the ball in a dangerous area, allowing Dejan Kulusevski to score. Martinez’s aggressive style, usually one of his strengths, backfired in this game as he made several reckless challenges, earning himself a yellow card for a foul on James Maddison. His distribution from the back, usually reliable, was also wayward. It was a night to forget for the Argentine defender, whose composure and decision-making let him down badly.

Diogo Dalot (2/10)
If there was a defender who had a worse night than Martinez, it was Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese right-back put in a dreadful performance, constantly giving the ball away and being exposed defensively. His lack of positional awareness allowed Brennan Johnson to run rings around him on several occasions, and he offered nothing going forward to support Marcus Rashford. Dalot’s sloppy passing and inability to keep track of his markers contributed to United’s defensive woes, making him one of the worst performers on the pitch.

Midfielders

Manuel Ugarte (3/10)
Ugarte had a night to forget in midfield. He was slow on the ball, lacked any creativity or expansiveness in his passing, and was virtually a spectator for long stretches of the game. His most glaring error came in the build-up to Spurs’ first goal, where he allowed Micky van de Ven to breeze past him without any challenge. Ugarte’s inability to control the midfield battle against Maddison and Yves Bissouma left United exposed, and his defensive contributions were minimal. For a player brought in to shore up the midfield, Ugarte was far too passive and lacked the bite needed in a game of this magnitude.

Kobbie Mainoo (5/10)
Mainoo’s performance was one of the few relatively bright spots for United. The young midfielder showed flashes of his potential, creating the best chance for United in the opening 45 minutes. His energy and drive helped United look more threatening when going forward, though his influence waned as the game progressed. Unfortunately, Mainoo’s promising display was cut short by an injury, and fans will be hoping that it is not a serious setback for the young talent. His presence was sorely missed after he went off, as United struggled to maintain any control in the middle of the park.

Bruno Fernandes (2/10)
Bruno Fernandes endured one of his poorest performances in a United shirt. The Portuguese playmaker, who is usually the team’s creative spark, was completely off the pace. His passing was wayward, and he failed to influence the game in any meaningful way. To make matters worse, Fernandes was sent off for a reckless challenge on Maddison, leaving his team down to 10 men. His dismissal compounded United’s misery, and his absence in the upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa, Brentford, and West Ham will be a significant blow.

Forwards

Marcus Rashford (4/10)
Rashford had a frustrating evening. The winger found himself isolated for large portions of the game and was unable to make any real impact. While he did manage to deliver a good cross to the back post for Garnacho, little else came off for him. Rashford’s decision-making was poor, and his failure to hold onto the ball allowed Spurs to launch several counter-attacks, one of which led to their opening goal. For a player of his quality, Rashford will be disappointed with his contribution in such a high-stakes match.

Joshua Zirkzee (4/10)
Zirkzee struggled to make his presence felt up front. The young striker, usually known for his excellent link-up play and ability to hold the ball up, was largely ineffective in this game. He failed to create any meaningful chances for his teammates and missed a clear-cut opportunity to get United back into the game. His movement was predictable, and he often found himself isolated against Spurs’ centre-backs. It was a disappointing performance from Zirkzee, who will need to improve if he wants to cement his place in the starting lineup.

Alejandro Garnacho (4/10)
Garnacho tried to inject some energy and directness into United’s attack, especially in the second half, but almost nothing seemed to work for him. The young winger did manage to hit the post in the first period, but that was the closest he came to scoring. Garnacho’s dribbling was erratic, and he often found himself running into dead ends. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to break down Tottenham’s well-organized defense, and his frustration was evident as the game wore on.

Substitutes

Mason Mount (5/10)
Mount was introduced to try and turn the game around, but he remained on the fringes for most of his time on the pitch. His set-piece deliveries were poor, and he struggled to impose himself in a crowded midfield. Mount’s lack of impact will be a concern for Erik ten Hag, as United need their summer signing to step up in moments like these.

Casemiro (6/10)
Casemiro’s introduction did provide United with a bit more attacking impetus. The Brazilian midfielder was more adventurous going forward, trying to get into the box and create chances. He nearly scored, but his shot went just wide of the post. However, like the rest of the team, Casemiro’s contributions ultimately amounted to little, as Tottenham comfortably saw out the game.

Christian Eriksen (5/10)
Eriksen was brought on to add some creativity and calmness in midfield, but he failed to make much of an impact. The Danish playmaker couldn’t find the necessary space to operate and was often crowded out by Spurs’ midfielders. Eriksen’s lack of physicality was also a problem, as he struggled to cope with the intensity of the game.

Rasmus Hojlund (5/10)
Hojlund came on with the game already slipping away from United, and he didn’t have much of an opportunity to influence proceedings. The young striker’s introduction was too little, too late, as United were already out of the contest by the time he was brought on.

Amad Diallo (5/10)
Amad had a short cameo towards the end of the game, but with limited time on the pitch, he couldn’t do much to change the outcome. The Ivorian winger was largely anonymous, and his lack of involvement was a reflection of United’s inability to mount any meaningful comeback.

Manager

Erik ten Hag (1/10)
The spotlight is firmly on Erik ten Hag following this humiliating defeat. The Dutchman must take most of the responsibility for the loss, as his team looked clueless and disjointed. United were outplayed in almost every department, and Ten Hag’s tactical decisions will be called into question. His side lacked cohesion, intensity, and any clear game plan, leaving them vulnerable to Tottenham’s high-energy pressing. With results continuing to deteriorate, Ten Hag is running out of excuses. If things don’t drastically improve soon, his position as manager will be under serious threat.