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Shambolic Manchester United thrashed by Tottenham as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's problems laid bare

Tottenham's Serge Aurier, center, celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Tottenham - REUTERS
Tottenham's Serge Aurier, center, celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Tottenham - REUTERS

This was as shambolic, error-strewn, embarrassing, self-destructive and spineless as it could possibly be for Manchester United. It is the kind of numbing, gutless result and performance that must have even Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s strongest supporters struggling to defend him.

Not that the players or club hierarchy should escape criticism. Solskjaer looked shell-shocked long before the end and half-heartedly challenged referee Anthony Taylor after the final whistle. Presumably that was over the first-half dismissal of Anthony Martial, after he was suckered in by some cynical gamesmanship by Erik Lamela, but Solskjaer looked like a man clutching at straws while knowing the simple truth.

This was a shattering experience. For Tottenham and, of course, for Jose Mourinho this was a special victory and how the head coach will have relished the ruthless way his impressive side capitalised on the chaos and also putting United and his successor, Solskjaer, in their place.

Spurs never relented. The fine quality of their performance will inevitably be overshadowed by the utter disarray they were up against but, for them, this was also a far cry from their opening day disappointment against Everton. In their two away games since they have scored 11 goals but this was also their best performance under Mourinho who will believe it is clicking. And all this without Gareth Bale.

James Ducker's Man Utd briefing
James Ducker's Man Utd briefing

Goodness knows what the atmosphere would have been like inside Old Trafford if the fans had been present and United have played twice at home this season, losing both games and conceding nine goals, which is extraordinary.

On 80 minutes – with the sixth goal conceded – the cameras cut to United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward as he texted on his phone. Pre-match and the talk was of the imminent arrival of 33-year-old free agent (but still expensive) Edinson Cavani with a deal also finally being struck to sign left-back Alex Telles – as United scramble around on transfer deadline day – while the embarrassment that unfolded ignited the debate as to whether what Solskjaer really needs is yet another centre-half.

Even so the defence fielded here cost £195 million and each of them underperformed and, in particular, and worryingly, the most expensive of all: captain Harry Maguire, who had a simply torrid afternoon and does looked affected by the conviction in a Greek court.

It was mistake after mistake after mistake by United. This was their biggest defeat since losing by the same scoreline to Manchester City in 2011 – the only other time they have conceded six goals at Old Trafford since 1930 – but the circumstances were very different. This was just pathetic – no question about that – with precious little fight, resistance or reaction.

It was the first time in 1,079 games in the Premier League that United had conceded four goals in the first-half – and this at home, as well – and the first time since Spurs did it to them in 1957 in a 4-3 win – as their lack of organisation was fully exploited by Harry Kane and Son Heung-min who are developing one of the deadliest partnerships in world football.

And, to think, United had gone ahead after being awarded a penalty inside 30 seconds – with Martial earning it. Spurs had been sloppy from the kick-off and when Bruno Fernandes flicked the ball through Martial burst past Davinson Sanchez who brought him down. With that little skip of his, Fernandes beat Hugo Lloris low to his left from the penalty spot.

Within five minutes, though, Spurs were in front. They drew level when a terrible header by Maguire bounced off Eric Bailly and then Maguire made it even worse when he tried to nod the ball back to David de Gea only for it to fall short as Lamela put him under pressure.

For some reason Maguire grappled with Luke Shaw who was attempting to shield the ball and it went to Tanguy Ndombele with his shot deflecting off Maguire and into the net. Maguire, Bailly and Shaw were again all at fault after Kane was fouled clumsily by Maguire and took a quick free-kick that sent Son running through with the forward dinking his shot over De Gea. He was simply too quick for Bailly and Shaw.

It was from a Spurs corner that Martial was dismissed as he reacted after Lamela pushed him in the chest by flicking his hand into the Argentinian’s face.

Lamela went down and Taylor showed the red card with Martial loitering by the corner flag in the vain hope that VAR would intervene. But off he went and he now faces a three-match ban for violent conduct.

Soon after and it was more awful defending from United as they stupidly tried to play the ball out from the back with Bailly putting Nemanja Matic under pressure on the edge of his own penalty area and Kane sliding in to dispossess the midfielder. The ball was crossed low by Son and there was Kane to side-foot home. It carried on.

Moussa Sissoko switched play to Serge Aurier – where was Shaw? – and he had time and space to cross low from the right with the ball flicking off Maguire as he tried to cover. It ran to Son who deftly steered it through De Gea’s legs at the near post.

Half-time saw Solskjaer surrender as he brought on two defensive midfielders in Scott McTominay and Fred. But it made no difference as Spurs seized on another mistake with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sending a smart pass across Paul Pogba – who did not look fit and failed to react – allowing Aurier to run onto it and shoot low across De Gea.

The scoring was completed when substitute Ben Davies was needlessly challenged by Pogba and Kane fired the penalty powerfully past De Gea. As for United their desolate frustration and impotence was summed up in a horribly cynical tackle by Shaw on substitute Lucas Moura for which he, too, could have been sent off. It was as ugly as the rest of their football. Solskjaer talked about “character and personality”. United had neither.


05:58 PM

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reaction

Well of course, when we get the start we did you think yep we've got the game where we wanted and then suddenly you're 2-1 down. I hold my hand up, it's my decision to pick the team I did, and it's a squad that's not good enough for Man Utd.There's no excuse.
He must be having an operation the boy... in his throat. If that was one of my players I'd hold him up to dry because you don't do that. It's nowhere near good enough. When you have a defeat like this, which has happened before, you look at yourself in the mirror and think... it's lucky, or is it, that the international break is now. That wasn't anywhere near good enough as a squad or a team.
We defend as a team, we defend from the front as a group, and whoever we're linked with doesn't matter. We need as a group and team to get the performances as we were after the restart (of lockdown). We can't be as open as we were today.
We'll probably update you when the window's closed but that's not about getting the players in, but that's about getting more out of what we have.There's a lot of wrongs there today, maybe the preparation we've given... we need to look at everything.

05:54 PM

Luke Shaw's reaction

We've let a lot of people down today. The fans at home, the staff. I think whoever's on the pitch, whatever the scoreline, the players have to take responsibility. We get given tactics, responsibilities, but when you're on teh pitch the manager can only give advice, we have to have high standards. It hasn't been showing.

05:46 PM

Some thoughts on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

I don't get this 'Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is rubbish, get him out' stuff. Managers don't click fingers and change teams instantly - Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho are two of the greatest managers ever and they struggled at Manchester United, with the exact same problem OGS has.

When I spoke to Rene Meulensteen earlier in the year, he was brilliant describing the steps that the coaching staff put in place at Man Utd to win everything. Said it takes about 18 months for a manager to really influence a team, to even start doing it.

The magical Mauricio Pochettino might go in with a whole new coaching staff and get decent results but GUESS WHAT HAPPENS when Woodward signs no top targets to fix clear problems? Jose Mourinho said finishing 2nd with Utd was one of his greatest achievements - I believe him!

Solskjaer came in, addressed the club culture, brought Greenwood and other youngsters in, got Fred singing a tune, has Martial playing like a striker and clearly Clearly CLEARLY wants new players because the squad isn't good enough.

What do people think the manager does? It's not a video game! Identifies how he wants the team to play, has the coaching staff work on training to do this, works to improve the team. They've signed one squad player this summer. That's it. Window closes tomorrow.

Jurgen Klopp goes in to Man Utd, makes them play some nice football, they slowly improve... and he doesn't bring in the players cos they haven't been identified and aren't signed, and he can't shift any of the absolute nonsense that's already in the squad... and it doesn't work.

Mick Phelan was first team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson for years. I think he might know what he's doing. OGS might not be the greatest manager ever (we can't know) but he doesn't have the players and the group he does have does not have the mental attributes needed to win.

The coaching staff prepare the players, help improve them in training and devise plans to beat teams. What are you meant to do as a manager/coach when Bailly - who has worked his way into the team ahead of Lindelof, who also isn't great - passes across the box to the opposition?


05:23 PM

FULL TIME

That is, I think, the worst I have ever seen Manchester United play. This might by overreaction and hyperbole based on the game being fresh in the memory but honestly, that was abysmal. I'd put them and Fulham to be relegated after this performance.... but there is light at the end of this confusing tunnel. The club need to change something and I'd suggest it's not the manager - Van Gaal and Mourinho are two of the greatest managers of all time and even they couldn't squeeze enough out of the players they had. Great win for Spurs - they were outstanding today.


05:21 PM

90 mins+1 - Man Utd 1 Spurs 6

Spurs players all getting stuck into challenges late on here, snapping at United players with aggression and determination. Alli is working hard to run around and put his body about too, which is good to see. That's what Mourinho wants.


05:19 PM

89 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 6

Pogba has just tried a lovely little roulette turn while surrounded by two players near the throw in line, giving the ball away needlessly to Spurs, and I think I can hear Graeme Souness throwing his chair around the Sky Sports studio from my house.


05:17 PM

87 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 6

Neville has described this performance as "pathetic" and "spineless" in the last few minutes. It is going to take some sort of coaching magic to transform this shower of nonsense into a team that can challenge for anything. United have been horrible so far this season. They're sitting 15th in the table right now.


05:15 PM

85 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 6

Hahahahahaha amazing. Luke Shaw has just chopped Moura down with the most cynical slide tackle foul I have maybe ever seen. Neville can't believe it's not a red card. Absolutely no attempt to play the ball, Shaw done for pace by Moura, and so he lunges in to slice him out of the game. Only a yellow. Even Neville - Man Utd fan no.1 wants him sent off for that.

 


05:13 PM

84 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 6

United have a corner! A chance for redemption! Spurs boot it away.


05:12 PM

81 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 6

Maguire, Pogba, Bailly, Martial, Fred, Matic, Shaw and Wan-Bissaka have all been dreadful.

Ed Woodward appears to be texting someone at the moment. Insert your own joke as to who and what, though I'd guess right now it's some sort of demand for a helicopter to come and pick him up immediately and then fly directly into the sun.


05:10 PM

79 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 6

Do clubs still do DVDs of big results? Spurs' media staff will be getting the edit of this one ready now if so. The modern equivalent might be YouTube highlights, which isn't quite as symbolic. 


05:08 PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!

KANE SCORES! 

Power and placement, the ball slammed into the top left of the net. De Gea goes the right way. 


05:08 PM

PENALTY

Pogba has been just about as bad as Bailly and Maguire today. He's slid into a tackle he doesn't need to make, giving the referee no option but to award a penalty as Davies is chopped down. Awful. Honestly, put them all in the bin.


05:04 PM

75 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

Davies is coming on for Son, who looks a bit disappointed to be coming off. That makes sense though, considering he was supposed to be injured for this match. Davies has gone to left-back, Reguilon - I think - is now the left winger.


05:03 PM

73 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

Kane is played in! Saved by De Gea. Fred plays a stupid pass across the pitch, Hojbjerg cuts it out and threads in the striker, who goes for the near post. Corner.

Alli heads over at the back post.


05:00 PM

71 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

"United players you can tell they're up for it, they want the fight," says Neville on co-comms. "It's a bit late for that, lads."


04:59 PM

70 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

Pogba wins a free-kick in a clash with Hojbjerg, who stays down for a bit after the foul... but he's OK to continue. Pogba's caught him with a stud down the back of his leg and the Spurs player is not happy about it.

Dele Alli is coming on for Spurs. He's back! 


04:58 PM

67 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

Greenwood is subbed off for Van De Beek. 


04:54 PM

64 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

Ndombele has lost the ball in a dangerous area, giving United a great chance to counter through the middle of the pitch! He doesn't seem to have the pace or stamina to catch up and rectify his error as Fred strides forward, but Aurier - who has been superb - steps across to close the gap and cut out Fred's pass.

Bailly has been booked for a bad foul on Son, dragging his studs down the striker's achilles. It's either that or the referee is assessing his performance and dishing out the appropriate reward.


04:52 PM

62 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

It's all calmed down a little now, Spurs don't have to work too hard and are playing like it, passing around into space. Bailly has just taken a heavy touch and gifted Spurs a throw in just as Kane looked to have overrun it.


04:50 PM

59 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

I see a lot of people saying this is Solskjaer's fault, but honestly I don't think you can blame the manager. The coaching staff are high level at United, or Mick Phelan is anyway - he was essentially in charge of the first team under Alex Ferguson, which suggests he knows what he's doing - but too many of these United players, as has been the case for ages, aren't good enough or have the mental attributes required of the club.

They have needed clear improvements in certain positions for years but the guy in charge of negotiating appears to have about as much ability to get a deal done as someone 10 pence short for a sandwich at Tesco. It's not happening. Pay the money. Hire someone who knows how to do it. Solskjaer's tactics make sense, his recruitment ideas make sense, he's a serial winner at club level as a player and did an impressive job in Norway as a manager. People who belittle that seem to think it's a different sport. It isn't. The guy knows what he's doing. Pogba isn't the best left midfielder he could play right now, but that's his option in this match (well, it kinda isn't) and it isn't he manager's fault that Pogba fell asleep for the fifth goal. The whole thing is really complicated.


04:46 PM

56 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

Kane tries to work space for a shot from 25 yards but punts it into the advertising boards. Spurs are pressing high and forcing United into error after error. 


04:44 PM

54 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 5

Shaw runs up the left wing and wins a free-kick near the box. Pogba heads the cross over the bar. I can't really express how devoid of fight, confidence, ideas and authority United look. 


04:41 PM

GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!

Send to morgue. This is incredible.....y bad from United.

Aurier scores! An easy move, Aurier in miles of space on the left again - how does this keep happening?!!! - and a lovely passing move cuts United open. Pogba is useless, doesn't do anything like enough, and Aurier can get all the way to the six yard box to smash the ball past De Gea.


04:40 PM

50 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 4

United trying to pass it around and gain some control of the match, keeping possession nicely... until Maguire knocks it long for Pogba, who is now the left winger, and he fouls Aurier.


04:38 PM

48 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 4

Spurs are straight on the attack, Shaw has to block a shot from Aurier and I think this might be how the game goes for the rest of the half. United are playing a really narrow 4-3-2 / 4-4-1 shape and Spurs are easily finding space wide to move the ball about.


04:35 PM

KICK OFF 2

Fernandes has been taken off, Fred is on. Matic is gone and in his place a wild McTominay has appeared!

Lucas Moura is also coming on for Spurs. Lamela has gone off.


04:33 PM

Prediction

Eric Bailly to score a hat-trick, sealing the win (Maguire scores too) with a bicycle kick from 30 yards. You read it here first.


04:30 PM

What's the solution?

 This might work.


04:27 PM

Patrice Evra is raging

Evra is speaking about a time Sir Alex Ferguson went nuts at him during the 6-1 defeat to Man City:

"Why you keep attacking? Because it's the philosophy of the club. But can you see what is happening right now?

"My advice to any United fan right now is buy a Playstation and buy Sancho or even Messi. Bailly made that mistake - don't cry! 

"Right now I understand the pain of all Untied fans. No-one in this team deserves to play right now and I've lost 6-1 to Man City."

This is amazing TV.


04:24 PM

Some statistics doing the rounds

  •  Man Utd are the first home team to concede four first half goals since Aston Villa vs Man City in January.
  • Manchester United have conceded four goals in the first half of a PL game for the first time.
  • Harry Kane has been directly involved in 13 goals in his last seven PL games (7 goals, 6 assists).
  • Son and Kane have combined for 26 PL goals, the fifth-most of any duo in PL history and the most of any current duo.

04:21 PM

What a game

What is going on? Tactically Man Utd are a total mess since the red card, with Shaw moving into a left centre-back role, leaving the entire left flank un-defended for Aurier to adventure into. Rashford is supposed to drop back and support but hasn't done anything like what he should have, and this one little issue is causing them huge issues.

However, the issue is not a tactical one here. United are down to 10 men, sure, but they are nowhere near the level required at the moment. Spurs are winning every battle, getting stuck into tackles, committing clever little fouls high up the pitch, passing and moving... and Bailly and Maguire are stuck in a living nightmare. They have been beyond dreadful so far, and now look bereft of confidence in themselves and each other. David De Gea has been going absolutely mental at them.


04:18 PM

HALF TIME

That is hands down the worst I have ever seen Manchester United play. As a neutral, there's something oddly hilarious about it, and as a football fan, this game has been absolutely thrilling to watch. Kane almost makes it 5-1 with a header across the goal at the near post from a corner and the referee eventually blows his whistle, allowing United to walk into the dressing room. Does OGS go nuts at them? Put a shoulder around them? Good luck, pal.


04:15 PM

45 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 4

Maguire has just punted an easy pass straight out for a throw. He's been awful today. If this is on Football Manager, I'm not only subbing Maguire and Bailly at half time for their minus player ratings, but I'm fining them 4 weeks wages, putting them in the U18s and selling both for a fiver to Hamilton


04:13 PM

43 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 4

 Woops.


04:12 PM

42 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 4

Spurs are dancing around Man Utd here. It's so easy. Maguire brings the ball forward now though and Pogba does well to win a free-kick near the Spurs box. It's taken quickly, Shaw crosses early and Rashford can't get close.


04:11 PM

41 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 4

 Here are some of the tweets I've been enjoying as Man Utd have their meltdown live on TV.


04:08 PM

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

SON SCORES AGAIN!

Aurier has the entire right side of the pitch to attack... and I don't know why Shaw is at centre-back and then defensive midfield during the move... and Aurier slips in Son to score at the near post.


04:07 PM

37 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 3

Spurs zipping the ball about with purpose, finding space everywhere. They might be in again here!


04:06 PM

36 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 3

Spurs seem to have learned the dark ways of Mourinho. Clever little tactical fouls, dragging runners back before they can get up the pitch and snapping at them at halfway. Is Mourinho's mantra starting to get through?


04:04 PM

34 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 3

Wow this is fun. Bailly is going to be on a minus score player rating here. Kane has gone down in a tangle with Bailly, who follows him in for a tackle and as he falls to the floor, gives him a little dig with his foot. It's sneaky and this time he gets away with it. I don't know how Martial's been sent off and Lamela's had nothing sent to him.


04:02 PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!

KANE SCORES! Man Utd are all over the place, it's abysmal.

Son dances up the left, the defence opens up like Next on the Boxing Day sale and Kane taps in at the back post.


04:01 PM

31 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 2

That is... extremely harsh.

So what's happened in Lamela has put his forearm into Martial's neck, and Martial reacts by slapping him in the mouth. Lamela then goes down as though shot... faking his way to getting Martial sent off.


03:59 PM

RED CARD!

ISS 64 red card

Pogba has been sent off! Or is it Martial? I have no idea.


03:58 PM

27 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 2

SON MUST SCORE! He's clean through! The only thing that can stop him is a bad touch... and there it is. The ball rolls through to the goalkeeper and Man Utd survive a fast break. Son looks really sharp.

And now Aurier has found space! A through-ball out wide right gets the full-back into the box, he cuts onto his left and shoots... saved!

And Spurs come forward again! Dombele is playing really well, turning up everywhere to link play, boots a shot at goal, parried away, then the follow up is blocked. A couple of easy saves for De Gea but he did well to get behind them.

The corner isn't dealt with well either! United's defence all over the place.


03:55 PM

24 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 2

GREENWOOD!!! Just wide. The forward gets involved with play, cuts onto his right foot and takes a hit from 20 yards, fizzing the ball past the far post.


03:51 PM

21 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 2

RASHFORD HITS THE POST! It's a great ball from Fernandes to play him in after excellent work from Pogba in midfield, Rashford gets the wrong side of Dier, fakes the shot to beat Sanchez but then just measures his shot slightly wide of the goalscoring angle. An offside flag halts the danger.


03:48 PM

18 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 2

This game is great. End to end, plenty of tackles and running and passing... it's nothing like how I thought it would play out. I was expecting a Mourinho shut down job.

Martial has just taken on Sanchez again, with exactly the same sort of dribble into the box that won the penalty in the first place. This time the defender does well.


03:45 PM

15 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 2

The free-kick is blocked and United counter quickly, but Martial is tracked by Son running all the way back to his own box and Hojbjerg does well to win a throw.

Neville is talking about United possibly signing Telles based off a credible source, by which he means Telegraph Sport's Jason Burt. His tweet is further down this page.


03:43 PM

13 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 2

Bailly has just been easily outmuscled and turned by Kane from a simple high ball. This is not the Eric Bailly that OGS thought he was playing. And now Shaw has given away a free-kick having a ball booted at his hip from a few yards away, coming off his hand. So stupid.

"It's a nonsense", says Gary Neville.


03:40 PM

10 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 2

I am so on board for a goal fest. Please keep this up lads, it's great. Incidentally, I've just noticed that Son is playing having been ruled out for 'a long time' by Mourinho a few days ago! What a recovery. Mind games ahoy.


03:38 PM

GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!

AND SON HAS SCORED! Oh wow. 

More stupid defending from Maguire, who bundles Kane over in midfield and leaves a massive gap at the back, which Son speeds into, beating Bailly for pace and then dinking a shot over the goalie into the far corner. What are Man Utd's defenders playing at here? It's dreadful hahaha.


03:36 PM

6 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 1

The defending was so bad for that Spurs goal that I think Solskjaer has started browsing the Football Manager database to find another centre-back to buy before tomorrow night.


03:35 PM

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!

WHAT IS GOING ON? Spurs are level!

Ndombele forces play down the left, SPurs throw it in, Pogba flicks it on, Matic kicks it and the ball just pings around as United defenders fall over watching it like skittles in a bowling alley. Ndombele follows it in and finishes inside the six yard box! Awful defending.


03:33 PM

3 mins - Man Utd 1 Spurs 0

I'm not sure I can post laughing emojis on here but if I could, this post would just be a series of them. Martial wins the penalty, it's clearly a foul, and 30 seconds in Spurs have shot themselves in the foot and head.


03:32 PM

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!

FERNANDES SCORES!


03:32 PM

PENALTY!

And Man Utd have a penalty. Seriously.

 


03:32 PM

KICK OFF

And we're off!


03:27 PM

Evra praising Pogba as Souness stares across the table

"He didn't have a good start, he know it, but even with one leg Paul should play in this team. There isn't one player better in midfield than Paul Pogba. It's not even a question he should start."


03:23 PM

Man Utd about to make another signing

And while we're getting ready for the game, Man Utd's backroom staff are apparently working hard on completing a transfer.


03:16 PM

Patrice Evra is nae happy

Patrice Evra is never shy of an opinion or two (I really like him on TV) and has just had a wee go at his old club for their transfer business:

He show you we don't need him! When you buy a player it's to show you win the league. Will he win the league for us? You buy Van De Beek, the only signing, and you don't start him...Do we really need a Van De Beek right now? We are more talking about the players who are to come than the ones we have got. It tells you the standard we are at.

03:11 PM

Starting lineups

The only real surprise here is that Eric Bailly has battled his way into the starting XI, having performed superbly in the League Cup win over Brighton.


03:01 PM

Ed Woodward's stunning negotiation skills

I made this video the other day and hope you enjoy it.

 The original was made SIX YEARS AGO...


02:41 PM

Spurs' new signings

You probably know who Gareth Bale is (surely) but some might not be so sure about Sergio Reguilon. Luckily for you, I already wrote a piece describing how he plays and what he'll bring to the side.


02:32 PM

Edinson Cavani to United?

Sam Wallace has all the news on Edinson Cavani potentially signing for United, a move which could happen in the next few days. Did they plan this all along?

Edinson Cavani will fly into the country on Sunday for talks with Manchester United that look destined to seal a one-year deal – with another year as an option - for the Uruguayan striker who is currently a free agent.The deal is agreed in principle but the Old Trafford hierarchy, including executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, want to meet the 33 year-old in person before they officially sign him.

02:20 PM

The Big Game

Hello there! Welcome to our liveblog for Man Utd vs Spurs, the Jose Mourinho comeback special. He's already returned to Old Trafford since leaving a couple of seasons ago and having similar problems at his new club, with a squad of players who don't quite seem to have the mentality he wants and needs to make the system work properly. Reguilon and Bale are big signings and statements of intent from the north London club though and we may come to see Mourinho's team as a more fearsome outfit if referee decisions start going their way. The handball rule is not Spurs' friend.

United haven't started the season well, beaten by Crystal Palace and outplayed by Brighton, but they are only just back after a short pre-season and don't have everyone quite fit. There are more excuses to be found but the clear problem is that they haven't actually signed any players to make them better. Edinson Cavani would be a huge scoop if he does sign, but that may result in Anthony Martial being moved to the bench...

Actually, what will really happen is United's forward line can finally be rotated and rested depending on form and fitness, rather than play every single game for 90 minutes each week and run themselves into the ground. The team news will be with us at 3:30 and we'll have more of an idea of what's going on then. Ole talks a good game anyway:

"When I came in and was given the job, I gave my view on what the team should look like and how to get there. I feel when we had these conversations, the club understood my view. In all honesty, results are always the key here. But the club also see what we are doing with the club, and what we want to do with the club.

"I'm not looking at other clubs in that way - of course I look at them in terms of keeping up with what's going on - but other clubs have a way of running, we have our way of running our club.

"And of course, I'm very happy working with the players I've got. But also, the part of the job is to improve the squad all the time, and so far I've been backed. We are working hard to be competitive again, amongst the best."

Kick off is 4:30, you can get live analysis and updates with me right here. Stick around!