Tottenham Hotspur blew Manchester United away at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Spurs scored after just 11 seconds, when the ball fell to Christian Eriksen in United’s penalty area, and United’s evening didn’t get any easier.
After 28 minutes, Phil Jones turned the ball into his own net. Kieran Trippier fired a low pass across the box, aiming for Harry Kane. But Jones reached the ball first, and made a mess of his clearance, shanking it into the top corner.
However, two sloppy goals from Manchester United’s perspective doesn’t do justice to how good Spurs were. Mauricio Pochettino’s side put in one of the performances of the season. United appeared scrambled and disjointed throughout, but Spurs made them look that way from the first whistle, pressing them all over the field, and winning all of their individual battles.
Paul Pogba, who tends to play every minute of every game he is available for, was substituted off after 63 minutes for Juan Mata after a difficult night.
The French midfielder really struggled against Mousa Dembele, and was rightly taken off after failing to impose himself on the match. Mourinho is unlikely to ever play Pogba in a two-man midfield away from home again, judging by Wednesday’s performance, and his decision to take him off.
The reaction to Pogba’s performance wasn’t kind.
Mourinho making a point to Pogba by taking him off. He's been hopeless tonight.
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) January 31, 2018
I'm a huge fan of Pogba but he didn't turn up tonight. Not alone among the United players in that shortcoming, of course
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) January 31, 2018
£90m Pogba being hooked off after an hour in a big game for Fellaini but United fans say he's the best midfielder in the league.
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) January 31, 2018
Lingard, Pogba, Matic is the same midfield Mourinho picked for Arsenal away. Good going forward but leaked too many chances. Similar pattern here.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) January 31, 2018
Wonder if Mourinho will bring on Pogba at half-time.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) January 31, 2018
Fellaini was still United's best midfielder
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) January 31, 2018
Poorest MUFC performance for a while. Started badly and got worse. Outclassed at Spurs away for a third successive season. Dembele dominant and MOM. Players clapping near empty away end after final whistle.
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) January 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/writtenoff_mufc/status/958801319661203456
https://twitter.com/DeBruyneTouch/status/958804567101181954
https://twitter.com/UtdOliver/status/958803412967198720
