Morning Star Online

Manchester United 0-3 Tottenham

by James Nalton

at Old Trafford

TOTTENHAM Hotspur turned on the style against Manchester United on Sunday, scoring three goals without reply at Old Trafford.

Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the home side just before half time, but Spurs had been dominant even before having the extra man.

They had taken the lead in the third minute when Micky van de Ven surged through a non-existent United midfield, taking it past the defence to the byline and crossing for Brennan Johnson to turn home at the far post.

Timo Werner and James Maddison missed good chances after that opener but the visitors kept creating.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou spoke of a calmness within the team that hasn’t always existed this season, as they created chance after chance.

“I got a sense that the players weren’t dwelling on missed chances,” Postecoglou said.

“They were just focused on trying to go again and create another one. There was a real calmness about the lads today.

“I thought we played really well at Leicester, we played well at Newcastle and against Arsenal, but we missed chances and it felt like there was desperation about us trying to get another one, whereas the last three games we’ve had a real calmness about us.

“I think it’s helped that we have a focal point in Dom [Solanke] up there who’s a real presence, attracts attention, takes attention from other players, and works really well in our unit.”

An opposition side going a man down can often make things more difficult. United manager Erik ten Hag took off striker Joshua Zirkzee and replaced him with defensive midfielder Casemiro at half time in an attempt to shut up shop.

But Spurs ruined Ten Hag’s plan straight away when Dejan Kulusevski scored just two minutes into the second half following good work from Johnson.

Solanke got in on the act, turning in a corner kick from Lucas Bergvall that had been headed on by Pape Matar Sarr.

On this form, Spurs look like one of the best teams in the division, and if they can keep calm and carry on taking their chances, it might soon start to show in the league table.

NEW signing Dominic Solanke acknowledged Tottenham were “not quite clinical enough” in the 1-1 draw at Leicester, but vowed they would put things right at the weekend when he makes his home debut.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou handed the £65 million forward a first start on Monday night and, despite an overall strong performance, Solanke squandered three chances, including a close-range first-half header.

A goal would have capped a fine debut, but Tottenham were punished for their profligacy in their Premier League opener when Jamie Vardy levelled in the 57th minute to cancel out Pedro Porro’s opener.

“Firstly, we are disappointed not to get the three points,” Solanke told SpursPlay. “Going into every game, that is what we want to do. We want to achieve big things this season.

“I think we played well at times, just weren’t quite clinical enough but there is a lot to look forward to.

“It is quite frustrating not to get the three points, having played well and dominated the game for the majority, but it is the first game.

“We wanted to get the three points but hopefully we can put it right in the next game.”

Tottenham are likely to be without Rodrigo Bentancur for the visit of Everton on Saturday after he suffered a sickening head injury at King Power Stadium.

Bentancur appeared to accidentally clash heads with Abdul Fatawu before he slammed into the grass. He received lengthy treatment and subsequently left on a stretcher and received oxygen.

Postecoglou confirmed Bentancur was “conscious and communicating” post-match and the Uruguay midfielder travelled back on the team bus.

Concussion protocols, however, mean he will almost certainly be absent from Saturday’s match with Everton, in which Solanke will relish the chance to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time as a home player.

Solanke said: “I’m looking forward to it. An opportunity to go put things right in front of the home fans and looking forward to playing in the stadium for the first time.

“Been here for just over a week now and I’ve been looking forward to this [full debut] moment.

“It was great to play with the boys and in front of the fans. Disappointed not to get the three points, but we’ll keep improving and try to get the three points next time.”

While Solanke has arrived at Tottenham this month, Oliver Skipp swapped his boyhood club for a move to Leicester on Monday.

The former England Under-21 international has joined the Foxes for an initial £20m fee with £5m included in add-ons, the PA news agency understands.

Leicester boss Steve Cooper expects further signings to follow, saying: “A great signing and, talking about the step from the Championship to the Premier League, it is normal to strengthen the squad.

“Oli offers us strengths now and a different profile in midfield.

“We intend to and have to bring in more players this week before [Saturday’s game at] Fulham at the top end of the pitch, so we have more variety and strength in depth there because this league is brutal.”

Leicester midfielder Kasey McAteer, a second-half substitute against Spurs, has agreed a new deal with the Foxes through to 2028.