
LONDON - It would be easy to simply file this one under "Games Manchester United Won Thanks To David de Gea".
And yet, while that particular cabinet must be bulging after the Spain goalkeeper's latest outstanding performance, the Red Devils' 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on Sunday (Jan 13) was by no means an injustice.
The travelling United faithful celebrated wildly in the stands at their corner of the stadium for some time after the majority of the 80,000 had exited and had every reason to be thrilled.
For it was the way they saw off Mauricio Pochettino's formidable Spurs side that mattered to them. They were gritty, opportunistic, confident.
Even when Spurs had stirred from their slumber - they did not register a single shot on target in the first half - and started testing de Gea, one effort after another, United's players did not panic.
Jesse Lingard shone brighter than his England teammate Dele Alli, Paul Pogba was a cocky, assured presence at the tip of United's midfield trident, and the duo of Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic behind him, so often the target of fans ire during the Dark Mourinho Days, were excellent.
Centre-back Victor Lindelof, meanwhile, stuck to Spurs' chief goal-scorer Harry Kane like a leech, snapping away at his heels and giving him hardly any room in the penalty box.
Â
Â
Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and de Gea drew jeers and whistles from the home supporters for their time-wasting tactics in protecting their lead, and looked fully in control - something that rarely happened before Mourinho's sacking just before Christmas.
The swagger is back.
It should be noted, though, that the two teams had vastly different build-ups to Sunday's game.
United spent a week basking in the warmth with a training camp in Dubai, while Spurs negotiated a hard-earned 1-0 win over Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final.
This explained in part Spurs' slow start, and United's quickness of thought, which was highlighted by Pogba's superb pass to release Marcus Rashford, who raced past Jan Vertonghen to arrow a shot beyond Hugo Lloris just before half-time.
Much has been made of Spurs' title tilt - which now looks unlikely after two consecutive Premier League losses at home - but United exposed their shallow squad's inadequacies.
When Moussa Sissoko was forced off in the first half, they had no established central midfielder on the bench to come on for him. Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama are on the mend from injuries, while Mousa Dembele has started only seven games and is reportedly on the verge of a lucrative move to China.
Worse still, talisman Kane limped off the pitch after appearing to twist his ankle late on in the game. The team's second highest goal-getter? Asian Cup-bound Son.
Last week, Pochettino, who has been tipped as the leading contender for the permanent manager's job at United, spoke about Spurs having to "operate differently" if they are to take the next step and rub shoulders with the elite of European football. His words were taken as a call for more investment from Spurs, even if he downplayed his remarks later.
If the London club do not spend in the January transfer window, though, the lure of resources at Old Trafford in the summer, could be too much to turn down for Pochettino.
*Sazali's trip is hosted by Spurs' global principal partner, AIA.
Man City ready to pounce on any Liverpool slip-ups, says boss Pep Guardiola - Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City team will be poised to pounce if Premier League leaders Liverpool falter, following a comfortable 3-0 win over Wolves that left City four points behind Jurgen Klopp's side.
Man City ready to pounce on any Liverpool slip-ups, says
History as women to referee men's AFC Cup clash Tuesday May 14 2019 The Asian Football Confederation announced on May 14, 2019 that for the first time an all-female referee team will take charge
History made as women to referee men's AFC Cup clash
Japan to accept 50,000 workers from PH under new hiring rules 'Japan faces an aging society and lacks labor force, while the Philippines is abundant with young labor force with great potential
NBA players vote Draymond Green as 'most overrated' in
'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian Cup Japan cashed in on a defensive mix-up and a controversial penalty as they stunned favourites Iran 3-0 in the Asian Cup semi
'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian
Football: PSG's Cavani doubtful for Man United game
Football: 10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held, in Europa League RENNES, France (REUTERS) - Arsenal took an early lead but a red card for Sokratis Papastathopoulos changed the game as the Gunners slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Rennes on a night of tightly-contested Europa League last-16 first-leg ties on Thursday (March 7).
Soccer-10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held - Reuters
Manchester City to play pre-season game in Japan for the first time as club announces friendly against sister side Yokohama F. Marinos. Manchester City will make a first visit to Japan this coming
Mariah & Raymond's baby bliss is cut short when Raymond expresses doubts. The triplets' medical issues haunt Julia even after they've been released from the NICU. Autumn's labor brings her and
Step Up or Ship Out | Rattled - tlc.com
Germany play their first international of the year against Serbia in Wolfsburg on March 20. READ ALSO: Irritated Bayern trio out to prove their worth says Kovac The post 'Angry' Mueller questions Loew decision after Germany axe appeared first on The Himalayan Times.
Thomas Muller issues emotional response following brutal
Football: Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four points Manchester City's Leroy Sane (right) celebrates with team mates after scoring their second goal. PHOTO: AFP
Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four
Yennaris makes China debut in Philippine win
Nico Yennaris became the first foreign-born footballer to represent China when the former Arsenal reserve started in a 2-0 home win over the Philippines on Friday. The 26-year-old midfielder was born in London and was an England youth international, but his mother is Chinese and the country is looking to naturalise footballers to rapidly
Nico Yennaris: Former Arsenal and Brentford midfielder makes