Manchester United made it four straight league wins under Michael Carrick with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham today at Old Trafford, a game that pivoted sharply on Cristian Romero’s first-half red card and never really swung back. Spurs actually began brightly and looked more cohesive in the opening half-hour, moving the ball with purpose through midfield and threatening to get in behind United’s back line, but any platform they had was ripped away when Romero was dismissed on 29 minutes for a reckless stamp on Casemiro. From there, it became a test of Tottenham’s resilience with 10 men and United’s patience in breaking them down—and Carrick’s side passed it comfortably.
Before the sending-off, Spurs had a couple of moments that hinted at a more competitive afternoon: Xavi Simons drifted into pockets and helped knit attacks together, while United had to deal with quick deliveries into the box that demanded concentration. United, though, were already showing signs of control, with Bruno Fernandes dictating tempo and Bryan Mbeumo lively whenever he found space to drive at his full-back. The first goal arrived in the 38th minute and felt like the direct consequence of United’s growing authority and Spurs’ sudden disruption. United worked a corner routine to perfection, drawing defenders away from the danger zone and leaving Mbeumo with room inside the area to steer a low finish into the corner. It wasn’t just a goal—it was a clear statement that United had a plan, and Tottenham were now chasing shadows.
Tottenham tried to stay in the contest by keeping their shape and delaying the game wherever they could, and Guglielmo Vicario kept them alive with a couple of sharp saves as United pushed for a second before the break. But Spurs’ attacking threat faded rapidly after going down to 10. They struggled to get Dominic Solanke involved, their wide breaks became more hopeful than threatening, and their best chance of sparking a comeback relied on a rare mistake or a set-piece scramble. United, meanwhile, looked increasingly comfortable, recycling possession, pinning Spurs back, and waiting for the game to open up.
The second half followed the same pattern: United controlled territory and tempo, Tottenham defended deep and tried to steal a moment on the counter, but the gaps kept appearing as fatigue set in. Carrick’s side were calm rather than frantic, and that maturity showed in how they managed the game state—probing, resetting, and steadily increasing the pressure without taking unnecessary risks. Spurs briefly attempted to change the tone with attacking substitutions, but the move only made them more vulnerable in transition. United finally landed the decisive second on 81 minutes when Diogo Dalot delivered from the right and Fernandes guided the ball home, a finish that killed off the contest and sparked a celebration that felt as much about the wider revival as the goal itself.
After the match, Carrick praised the way his players handled an awkward scenario—warning that games against 10 men can become messy if you lose focus—while highlighting United’s control in the second half and the value of the opening goal in settling everything down. He also pointed to the quality of the set-piece work, noting how important those details can be when opponents sit deep. Thomas Frank, in contrast, leaned on pride in his players’ effort after the red card, stressing that they “put everything into” the long spell with 10 men and stayed in the game for as long as they could, even if the second goal arrived when Spurs tried to chase a late lifeline with more attacking changes. He admitted the dismissal changed where United could hurt them, and conceded the challenge of navigating matches with a squad already stretched.
For United, it was another controlled step forward in a run that suddenly looks very real, with Fernandes and Mbeumo again central to the big moments. For Tottenham, it was a familiar story: early promise undone by a costly lapse, followed by long periods of firefighting—and another result that leaves the pressure building fast.
