A second-half master class from Manchester United insured they continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Coming off a hard fought 2-1 win at the Hawthorns last week, Ferguson opted for the centre-back pairing of Jonny Evans and Phil Jones after both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were forced out with injury.
Tottenham began the half positively and threatened United at times in a half, which despite the end-to-end action, failed to create any real clear-cut chances.
The only real chance of the half fell to United youngster Tom Cleverley who forced a fantastic fingertip save from American Brad Friedel.
What followed in the second-half was something to savour for many years to come. The fans of United witnessed yet again the future ahead of them and possibly a new group of players to challenge the class of 91’.
The back four of Smalling, Jones, Evans and Evra were all playing their part, with Jones and Evans staking their claim for regular opportunities in the heart of defence.
Young, Anderson and Cleverley were all lively in the attacking third and Cleverley was again instrumental as he played his part in United’s opening goal.
Following some good work by Smalling to retain possession, Cleverley took centre stage with a delightful cross that left the Spurs defence with little chance as Welbeck headed home in the 61st minute to give United a 1-0 lead.
That goal seemed to lift the performance of not only Welbeck but the rest of his teammates to a whole new level as Tottenham were left helpless at times.
Anderson and Young were a constant threat and it wasn’t long before Anderson’s hard work was rewarded with a goal. The Brazilian combined with Welbeck in the 76th minute to tuck home arguably the goal of the season. Anderson played in Welbeck behind the Spurs defence and the former Sunderland striker cheekily back-heeled the ball into the path of the number 8 and he calmly converted United’s 2nd goal.
With Spurs in search of a goal, Redknapp introduced Pavlyuchenko to partner Defoe upfront and the former West Ham man came close to pulling a goal back following an error from De Gea. His shot hit the post and was then cleared to safety by a solid United defence.
Ferguson was happy with the position of his team and decided to introduce Park, Giggs, Chicharito with 10 minutes remaining and it wasn’t long before the veteran Welshmen had a hand in United’s 3rd.
Tottenham were kept in the game thanks to an inspirational performance from Friedel, thwarting many of United’s attempts on goal but he was again left with no chance as Rooney found himself on the scoresheet.
The Number 10 had previously had a free-kick pushed away to safety by Friedel but Rooney would not be denied a goal as he so typically does, heading home from a beautiful cross by Giggs to cap off another fantastic night at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex was clearly delighted with the performance, “The second-half performance was absolutely fantastic.”It was a fast game in the first half, it was end-to-end. Tottenham had a lot of possession, but in the second half we just took off.”
Next week, Manchester United play host to Arsenal in what look’s to be another entertaining spectacle.
Welbeck did spend last season with Sunderland, but he was on loan from United. That specifically meant he couldn’t play in Sunderland’s matches against United.
He had a very successful spell at the Stadium of Light. It has obviously been beneficial for him
Things are a bit grim down at Tottingham these days.
Have never ben the same since Ozzi Ardieles retired.