Angel Gomes spreads his wings as slick goal gives Man United victory over Spurs

Matt Jones - Editor 18:12 25/07/2019
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  • Angel Gomes wheels away after putting United 2-1 up against Spurs.

    Manchester United completed their fourth win on the spin in pre-season with a thoroughly entertaining 2-1 triumph against fellow Premier League titans Tottenham.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were quickest out of the blocks in the opening 45 minutes, Anthony Martial hitting a post after good work from Daniel James before then smashing in from a tight angle after a fine Andreas Pereira pass.

    Spurs were much better in the second half following the introduction of Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura and the Brazilian drew Mauricio Pochettino’s side level with a deflected strike just past the hour.

    The north London side looked the most likely side to grab a winner before a magical goal from United youngster Angel Gomes. He played a neat one two with Juan Mata before finishing stylishly past Paulo Gazzaniga.

    Here’s our report card from the game:

    GOOD

    Dan’s the man: He’s been bright and sharp in his initial few outings in a red shirt, but James absolutely tormented Tottenham, and Moussa Sissoko in-particular, during his 45 minute stint in Shanghai.

    He was alert to everything, initially seizing on an error to tee up Martial who hit the post. The 21-year-old thereafter terrorised Tottenham’s right flank, keeping Kyle Walker-Peters busy and attracting some heavy-handed treatment from Sissoko. His appetite and hunger were on show in abundance when, after a mazy run was thwarted, he hungrily chased down an opponent and teed up Paul Pogba for a fine effort.

    Spurs stars shine… most of them: While United made wholesale changes at half-time, Spurs’ replacements were more staggered, but two men on from the start of the second half turned the tide back in their favour. No two figures were more intrinsic than their run to the Champions League final last season than Son and Lucas.

    And they stirred Spurs into life with some penetrating runs and generally giving United’s new-look defence a hard time. Son went close with a chip, while Moura’s deflected effort drew them level.

    Son and Moura shone for Spurs.

    Son and Moura shone for Spurs.

    BAD

    Spurs’ sluggish first half: United have been pretty decent to watch in pre-season so far, but Spurs were coming off a 3-2 win against Serie A champions Juventus. And yet, they were supremely slow out of the blocks in Shanghai, with their defence shaky and vulnerable to United’s high press and exciting, energetic press.

    They were deservedly punished by Martial, but should have been further behind at half-time. Harry Kane and new record signing Tanguy Ndombele were below pa,r but their half-time replacements restored balance.

    United’s pressing need for second centre-back: As the Harry Maguire transfer saga rumbles on, United manager Solskjaer, if he didn’t already, would rightly have had the Leicester rock at the front of his mind 10 minutes into the second half.

    Eric Bailly had only entered the field at half-time, but broke down and was worryingly seen being carried down the tunnel by two medical staff personnel. While Victor Lindelof had a quietly excellent 2018/19 and is a shoe-in for one of the centre-back slots, United’s other options either appear to be made of balsa wood (Bailly and Phil Jones) or aren’t good enough (Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo). Leicester’s Maguire demands must be met.

    TALKING POINT

    McTominay a mainstay?: For most of his fledgling career he’s been seen as a lottery winner, a player in the United squad by default and a favourite of Jose Mourinho – who used him as a pawn to shame Pogba.

    But over the course of last season the Scot strengthened his case for being an integral part of the club’s future. His poise, strength, supreme athleticism, hunger and work-rate suddenly seem to be attributes that make him a natural replacement for the ageing Nemanja Matic.

    The Serb, after a fine debut season, didn’t have much of a rest last summer with the World Cup and then put a lot more minutes on the clock during the 2018/19 campaign. McTominay has impressed hugely in pre-season – his bullying of Sissoko off the ball in the first half an eye-catching moment – and Solskjaer must be contemplating making him a starter.

    KEY MOMENTS

    5th min WOODWORK: Loose passing from Spurs and James is on Harry Winks in a flash, skipping away from his challenge and playing in Martial. He’s on his weaker left foot, but digs out a superb shot across Gazzaniga, crashing off the inside of the post.

    10th min SAVE: Sloppy from Pogba who gives possession away to Sissoko, who feeds youngster Troy Parrott. He advances and has the awareness to know Dele Alli’s in space to his left, he takes aim and David De Gea dives low and gets an excellent hand to push it behind for a corner.

    21st min GOAL: Martial this time finds the net but it’s awful goalkeeping from Gazzaniga. Lovely intricate play from Pereira who picks the lock to send Martial in, the angle is tight so he rifles a shot goalwards, despite the power the Argentine stopper really should do better.

    45th min CHANCE: Pogba goes close, very close. Great work all round from James whose original penetrating run takes him into Tottenham territory. They clear but the Welshman is like the Road Runner, tracking back and instantly winning the ball back. He feeds the Frenchman who fizzes a ferocious effort just wide.

    65th min GOAL: Great work from young Spurs substitute Harvey White who doesn’t give up on a loose pass, swinging in a cross to the penalty spot. It falls to Moura who brings it under control and fires in a weak shot that takes a deflection and creeps past the prone Sergio Romero.

    80th min GOAL: A stunning winner from teenager Gomes. United had been put under pressure in the second half but regain a bit of territory. Gomes starts the move out on the left wing, exchanging passes with Mata who slips him in beautifully behind. Gomes displays composure and nerve to keep cool and slot a delightful finish past Gazzaniga and just inside the far post.

    VERDICTS

    Tottenham: B+

    Started slowly and paid the price, with star striker Kane looking particularly off colour. But their half-time subs dragged them back into proceedings and they were then the better side, stretching United’s defence all over the place.

    Man United: A-

    Could have been out of sight at the break but changes seemed to disrupt them, although they still looked lively going forward. Encouraging performances from Martial, James, Pereira, Lindelof and Axel Tuanzebe.

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