Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester United: Player Ratings

Manchester United endured a frustrating evening as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. A lack of clinical finishing and defensive lapses cost Erik ten Hag’s side dearly as Spurs took full advantage to secure the three points. Here are our player ratings from the game.

(A score of 6 is around average.)

Andre Onana – 2 A dreadful mistake led to Tottenham’s goal. His weak parry placed the ball in a dangerous position, allowing the opposition to pounce. His distribution, usually one of his strengths, was also off the mark, contributing to United’s struggles in possession. His lack of confidence was evident throughout the match, as he hesitated on multiple occasions and failed to command his box.

Noussair Mazraoui – 6.5 Offered some solid defensive work to keep Son Heung-min’s threat in check. Produced a fantastic cross that should have been converted by Zirkzee. One of the few bright spots in United’s performance. His energy down the flank gave United an outlet, but his teammates failed to capitalize on his deliveries.

Harry Maguire – 6 Did his job quietly in the heart of the defense. While he wasn’t at fault for the goal, he didn’t stand out either. He made some decent clearances but was unable to impose himself more. His partnership with De Ligt lacked cohesion, with neither player showing the aggression needed to keep Tottenham at bay.

Matthijs de Ligt – 5 His defensive awareness let him down when he completely lost James Maddison for Tottenham’s opener. After that lapse, he improved, but the damage had already been done. He struggled against Tottenham’s quick transitions and was often caught flat-footed.

Diogo Dalot – 4 Struggled to provide any attacking threat down the right flank. He also allowed Son to run at him too easily, which put United’s defense under pressure. Missed a golden opportunity in the box, which summed up his evening. His decision-making in the final third was poor, and his defensive contributions were questionable at best.

Casemiro – 2 One of his worst performances in a Manchester United shirt. He was frequently dispossessed, lost multiple duels, and failed to protect the backline. His decline continues to be evident, and it was clear why he has been used sparingly this season. The Brazilian looked sluggish and was unable to cope with Tottenham’s high tempo.

Bruno Fernandes – 4 Created a brilliant opportunity for Garnacho, who wasted it. However, his own performance was below par. He was careless with the ball and unable to dictate the game as he usually does. His frustration was visible, and his lack of impact in crucial moments hurt United’s chances.

Patrick Dorgu – 6 Had limited involvement but looked confident when he did get the ball. Showed some promising forward movements and was defensively solid. However, his lack of chemistry with the midfield led to disjointed play.

Alejandro Garnacho – 5 Wasted United’s best chance of the match when he blazed over from close range. Despite a few other attempts, he failed to beat Spurs’ goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Also overlooked passing to Dorgu on multiple occasions, making poor decisions in key moments. His finishing let him down, and his overall play lacked sharpness.

Joshua Zirkzee – 7 One of the few United players who could hold his head high. Showed good touches and linked up play well. However, he should have buried Mazraoui’s cross instead of heading wide, which could have changed the course of the game. His hold-up play was decent, but he lacked support from his teammates.

Rasmus Hojlund – 3 Another frustrating outing for the Danish striker. Struggled to make an impact, although he looked slightly better when drifting wide. Still, his movement and finishing need significant improvement. He was often isolated and unable to find space against Tottenham’s well-organized defense.

Substitutes

Chido Obi – 5 Came on in stoppage time for his senior debut but didn’t have any chance to influence proceedings. The youngster will hope for more minutes in future matches.

Analysis

This defeat exposed Manchester United’s recurring weaknesses, from defensive lapses to a lack of a clinical edge up front. Onana’s costly mistake, Casemiro’s struggles in midfield, and missed chances from Garnacho and Zirkzee meant United left Tottenham empty-handed. While some players showed glimpses of quality, the overall performance was lackluster, raising further questions about Ten Hag’s tactical setup and United’s ability to challenge at the highest level.

Tottenham, on the other hand, capitalized on United’s mistakes and displayed greater control in key moments. Their high pressing and quick transitions troubled United, while Maddison’s intelligence in midfield proved decisive. Vicario’s saves kept Spurs in control, ensuring their lead remained intact.

For United, this loss serves as another setback in their inconsistent season. With tougher fixtures ahead, significant improvements are needed in multiple areas if they are to compete for a top-four finish. The lack of a clear tactical identity was evident, and Ten Hag must address these issues quickly to avoid further setbacks.

Manchester United fans will be frustrated by yet another underwhelming performance. The team lacked cohesion, and individual errors proved costly once again. Ten Hag’s reluctance to make tactical adjustments during the match was concerning, as United looked out of ideas for large periods.

One major concern for United is their inability to break down disciplined defensive setups. Tottenham executed their game plan efficiently, allowing United to have possession but limiting their ability to create clear-cut chances. This is a recurring theme, and without more dynamic movement in attack, United will continue to struggle against well-organized teams.

The midfield battle was completely lost by United, with Casemiro’s decline being the most glaring issue. The Brazilian looked far from his best and was unable to dictate play as he once did. Tottenham, on the other hand, controlled the tempo with ease, exposing United’s weaknesses in transition.

The absence of leadership on the pitch was another major issue. While Bruno Fernandes wears the captain’s armband, his influence on the game was minimal. United lacked urgency, and without a commanding presence to rally the team, they looked disjointed and uninspired.

United’s attacking struggles were highlighted once again, with Hojlund and Garnacho missing key chances. Zirkzee’s performance was a rare positive, but he cannot be expected to carry the attack alone. The lack of creativity from midfield made life easier for Tottenham’s defense.

The pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag to find solutions quickly. With upcoming fixtures against tougher opposition, United cannot afford to continue dropping points. If these issues persist, a top-four finish could slip out of reach, putting the manager’s position under scrutiny.

What are your thoughts on United’s performance? Let us know in the comments! For full match details, check out the link below.