Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Spurs
Manchester United continued its strong pre-season with a 2-1 win over Spurs in an entertaining clash at the Hongkou Stadium.
The Red Devils had a half time lead through Anthony Martial, but when Spurs drew level thanks to a deflected Lucas Moura strike it looked like we were heading to penalties. But young United star Angel Gomes had another ideas, popping up with a late winner.
International Champions Cup Manchester United vs Tottenham Spurs was a great preview of the upcoming Premier League season, showcasing some of each club’s most promising young players and giving the coaches plenty to think about.
Highlights of the game
There have been reports that the Whites might be ready to break their transfer record to bring Juventus striker Paulo Dybala to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but it was the new signing already in their camp that made the first move today. £55m midfield man Tanguy Ndombele drove into the United box and fell under a challenge from Chris Smalling, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.
Then, on five minutes, the Red Devils came within an inch of scoring when Daniel James left Harry Winks for dead before feeding Anthony Martial, but the Frenchman’s effort clipped the crossbar and flew over. Tottenham reacted and a good run from youngster Troy Parrott took him into the United area and he laid the ball off to Dele Alli who shot weakly with only David De Gea to beat.
Spurs keeper Paulo Gazzaniga was brought into the action when he saved a curling free-kick by Ashley Young, but he dropped a clanger to gift the Red Devils the opener on 21 minutes. Andreas Pereira put Martial through with a lovely ball and he shot low and hard towards Gazziniga who should have gathered but instead the ball spun from his grasp and into the net.
Tottenham came close to levelling just before the break when Kane almost slipped Ndombele through on goal but Scott McTominay did enough to put Spurs’ new man off his stride. And then Smalling did well to get his head to a cross which Harry Kane looked set to nod home.
The first half ICC Spurs vs Manchester United highlights told a story of Spurs’ passing game succumbing to the Red Devils’ cutting edge.
The second half opened as the first closed, with Spurs on the front foot. Heung-Min Son collected a long ball forward and chipped over United’s second half keeper Romero, but just over the bar. Pochettino’s men were having the better of the game but Fred did provide some relief, firing a long range effort over Gazzaniga’s bar.
But Spurs got the goal they deserved on 65 minutes, though they needed a healthy slice of luck. Son fed Lucas Moura and he fired at goal and the ball took a big deflection off Luke Shaw, wrong-footing Romero and flying into the net. Moura didn’t mind – it was his second goal in two games.
In scorching temperatures the players took a second water break on 75 minutes, and it was Spurs 17 year old Harvey White who looked to have the most running in the closing stages firing a cross just over Moura’s head.
But it was United’s 18 year old Angel Gomes who scored the winner, and it was a beauty. He played a smart one-two with Juan Mata before firing home from a tight angle to send the local Red Devils’ fans wild.
Key statistics
Both Spurs and Manchester United started their ICC campaign with an impressive win; and United will be delighted to follow up with another.
The pre-match ICC Tottenham Spurs vs Manchester United betting odds here at SBOBET predicted a well fought out game with Spurs at 2.58 to win — a fraction ahead of Manchester United at 2.64– but the Red Devils had the killer instinct.
Spurs played the possession football in the first half, with 63 per cent of the ball and 89 per cent pass completion compared to the Red Devils’ 79 per cent.
But they made little headway and United had the cutting edge, with three shots to one on target and that opening goal by Martial.
United passed the ball better in the second half, increasing their accuracy to 83 per cent and had five shots on target to Spurs’ two.
What’s next?
The Premier League transfer window is in full swing and both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Pochettino still have some work to do to strengthen their teams, but they have another ICC test to come as they fine tune.
Next up Manchester United faces AC Milan and Tottenham plays Inter, both will be good contests.
And soon enough the Premier League opens up with Spurs hosting new boys Aston Villa on Saturday 10th August before Manchester United takes on Frank Lampard’s Chelsea on Sunday.
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