1. United deserve credit for their mental strength
Manchester United have received a lot of criticism this season for their summer signings, Louis Van Gaal’s tactics and the way they play but they are just two points behind second-placed Manchester City with less than 10 games to go.
One of the reasons for their success is the mental strength in the camp. Their FA Cup defeat to Arsenal meant that Van Gaal’s charges have lost five games in all competitions this season and they have quickly bounced back with convincing wins afterwards on each occasion. That is an impressive feat given that some of their top four rivals have gone on a poor run after a suffering a painful defeat.
2. This result could be a devastating blow for Tottenham’s top four challenge
Pochettino was the first to admit that his side lost the game because they were poor, which happens to every team at some point during the season. The biggest worry though for Spurs was their lack of fight against such a crucial top-four rival.
Even when Manchester United dropped back in the second-half, Spurs lacked the urgency in their attacks to unsettle Van Gaal’s men as they managed only one shot on target late in the game. Spurs are level on points with Southampton but the Saints look more like a top-four contender because of the battling draw they recorded at Chelsea.
3. Michael Carrick’s fitness could be key for United’s top four challenge
United started the game badly in the opening five minutes with Phil Jones caught in possession in the defensive-third before the England defender played a dreadful pass to David De Gea. A couple of players also looked nervy in the opening exchanges, possibly as a knock-on effect of their defeat to Arsenal.
Then Carrick took the initiative at a crucial time in the ninth minute when he collected the ball from left-back Daley Blind in the middle-third and played it straight into the inside left channel to set up Marouane Fellaini for the opening goal.
After that goal, United played with more composure and they went on to register a comfortable win. Carrick has repeatedly done this for United this season as he adds composure in United’s defence while opening up opposition defences with quick, incisive passes.
United are a different side without him and, along with De Gea, Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young, is a player that Van Gaal cannot afford to lose in the remaining nine games.
4. Big away wins are key for Tottenham to make the next step up
Spurs have made progress under Mauricio Pochettino. They successfully built their team around young hungry players who can develop together and they are now a better side in terms of dealing with the games following European ties.
Those are significant improvements but the north Londoners will truly be a top Premier League side if they start winning away from home in big games. They lost at Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and drew at Arsenal.
5. More questions for Manchester United’s superstars
After the transfer window closed back in September, many wondered how Manchester United would be able to accommodate Radamel Falcao, Rooney, Angel Di Maria, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata. Now only Rooney is indispensable from that list. The rest of those “world class players” have to earn their place in the side again.
On the other hand, Fellaini, Adnan Januzaj and Young are now integral to Van Gaal’s offensive plans.
