Tottenham 4-3 Man United PLAYER RATINGS: Which big-money flop was PATHETIC? Who showed composure far beyond his years for Spurs? And which United defender was all at sea?
Ange Postecoglou moved a step closer to his ambition of ending Tottenham’s trophy drought with a dramatic EFL Cup quarter-final victory over Man United.
With Marcus Rashford left out again for the visitors, United traveled to north London on Thursday to build on their momentum in the competition.
Ultimately, however, individual mistakes would cost Ruben Amorim’s side dearly, with Dominic Solanke taking advantage of a poor parry from Altay Bayindir to put his side ahead.
However, Spurs were not immune to mistakes despite conceding a pair of goals early in the second half as two errors from Fraser Forster gave United hope of a comeback.
But which big-money flop was pathetic? Who showed composure well beyond his years for Spurs? And which United defender was completely at sea?
Mail Sport’s JAMES SHARPE was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to give his expert analysis of both teams.
Tottenham booked a place in the last four of the Carabao Cup with a victory over Man United
Ruben Amorim cut a frustrated figure as his United side crashed out of the competition
Tottenham 4-2-3-1
Fraser Forster – 4.5
Oh honey. I had nothing to do for most of the match and then hung on to the ball too long to give United a second goal and hope.
Pedro Porro – 7
I got Ange’s thoughts after the Rangers game and was on the bench against Saints, but was impressive here, his swerved shot forcing the United keeper’s parried save for Tottenham’s opener.
Radu Dragusin – 7
Tottenham’s only fit central defender is built like a Viking and defends like one. Strong, physical, headed everything away and easily wrestled Hojlund off the ball when danger lurked.
Archie Gray – 7.5
The 18-year-old has played in every position at the back line this season, as well as in midfield, and you can see why. Calmness on the ball, far beyond his years.
Fraser Forster gifted United two goals to get them back into the game in the second half
Fullback Djed Spence has been impressive since breaking into the team two games ago
Djed Spence – 7.5
He waited two and a half years for his first start at Southampton, succeeded and continued it here. Had Mazraoui on toast all game and played a brilliant ball to Solanke for the third.
Pape Matar Sarr – 6.5
The weaker of the Spurs midfield pivot. Created a few chances but was booked for a foul on Fernandes as United looked to break Tottenham’s high line.
Yves Bissouma – 8
A dynamic performance from the Spurs midfielder. An excellent block to deny Eriksen an equalizer, making five tackles and creating two chances in the first half alone.
Dejan Kulusevski – 8
Four goals in his four games after Maddison’s blocked cross fell to him 47 seconds after the restart. Bayindir also forced a smart save in the first half. He looked dangerous every time he got the ball.
Yves Bissouma put in a dynamic performance in midfield, blocking five attempts and creating two for his own side
Dejan Kulusevski scored again here and now has four goals in four games for Tottenham
James Maddison oozes with confidence and struts around with his classic swagger
James Maddison – 7
Full of confidence after his brace against Saints and strolled around with that classic Madders swagger. His cross forced the fluffy clearance for Kulusevski’s goal.
Heung-min-son – 7.5
A real collector’s item for the Spurs captain as he curled into Tottenham’s fourth straight from a corner. Had also played at Maddison in the run up to the second.
Dominic Solanke – 9
Reacted quickest by pouncing on Porro’s parried shot to put Tottenham ahead and then left Martinez for dead for his second. Always a shift worker, easy to see why Ange loves him.
SUBS
Bergvall (for Madison, 79min) 6
Johnson (for Solanke, 90min) N/A
Reguilon (for Spence, 91min) N/A
MANAGER: Ange Postecoglou – 6.5
Put in a strong side, but should have come on sooner when United started to make a comeback.
Manchester United 3-4-2-1
Altay Bayindir – 4.5
With his hand, Porro’s swerve shot flew straight at Solanke, then fluttered to Son’s corner and watched it float over his head.
Leny Yoro – 6
The 19-year-old was probably the favorite of the United backline, but let’s be honest, that’s not saying much. Made a few good tackles, but nothing more.
Victor Lindelof – 5.5
He was plagued by injuries during his career at United and left the field in tears after the umpteenth. Straight into the tunnel.
Altay Bayindir was responsible for two of Tottenham’s goals as he was disappointed with his chance
Leny Yoro was the favorite of the United backline in the capital, but that doesn’t say much
Lisandro Martínez – 5
Sensational because of United’s victory in the Manchester derby, but here it is all on the line. The fluffy clearance fell to Kulusevski for the second and was then dominated by Solanke for the third.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5.5
Doesn’t look like a full-back, Spence was far too quick for him for most of the night and was rightly booked for bringing him down.
Christiaan Eriksen – 6
He came close in the first half with a blocked and fizzled free-kick onto the roof of the net, but not enough to leave his mark on the match.
Manuel Ugarte – 6.5
There was a fine line between a physical presence and a clumsy oaf and he too often found himself on the wrong side of the line with two clumsy fouls on Maddison, but did well to block a dangerous cross from Kulusevski and make a host of tackles to make. 6.5
Diogo Dalot – 6.5
United’s most natural full-back and looks set to flourish with the extra attacking responsibilities under Amorim. I always came forward and regularly created chances.
Antony was repeatedly cleared off the ball with ease – Marcus Rashford can’t be that bad
There was a lot of arm waving from Bruno Fernandes and he was eventually booked late
Anthony – 4.5
An early Bissouma cruncher set the marker. Robbed of the ball three times, always shaking it off with ease. A pathetic attempt at a tackle on Spence. What does he offer? Rashford can’t be that bad, can he?
Bruno Fernandes – 5.5
Lots of arm waving and overreacting, eventually getting him a yellow card from the referee for complaining about Tottenham’s fourth foul for a foul on the goalkeeper that was never committed.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Barely smelled. Couldn’t get on the end of Fernandes’ good cross, was outclassed by Dragusin and took advantage of the attempts he did make.
SUBS
Jonny Evans (for Lindelof, 45min) 6
Amad (for Antony, 55min) 7
Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 56min) 7
Mainoo (for Eriksen, 56) 6
Garnacho (for Ugarte, 71min) 6
Not used: Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro,
MANAGER: Ruben Amorim – 6.5
Ruthless again by leaving Rashford out again, but made too many changes and the game only changed after the substitutions.