Following wins over Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham, fans are starting to wonder if the Carrick reign might be more than just a new manager bounce or a hot streak, and with the momentum building, United looking good for a top 4 finish and maybe even higher, morale couldn’t really be much better at the club with their interim in charge.

Another big test awaited on Saturday lunchtime for Carrick’s managerial spell as Tottenham headed to Old Trafford struggling in the league, but having a hold over United that hasn’t seen the hosts win for several years against their London opposition, including the notable Europa League final which marked 4 defeats against Spurs last season for United. A tough test, but United really laid down a marker here, helped out slightly but Spurs’ rash decisions but ultimately the flair and attacking morale proved too much for the visitors as United continue to win games.

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Teams

Manchester United: Lammens, Shaw (Mazraoui 87′), Martinez, Maguire, Dalot, Mainoo (Fletcher 90′), Casemiro (Ugarte 87′), Cunha (Sesko 75′), Fernandes, Amad, Mbeumo (Zirkzee 87′)

Subs: Bayindir, Heaven, Yoro, Malacia

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Udogie (Souza 55′), Van de Ven, Romero, Gray, Sarr, Palhinha (Bissouma 80′), Gallagher (Tel 80′), Simons, Odobert (Dragusin 32′), Solanke (Kolo Muani 80′)

Subs: Kinsky, Byfield, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett

Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United made the most of a dramatic afternoon at Old Trafford as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 on Saturday lunchtime, strengthening their push up the Premier League table. A lively home crowd sensed opportunity from the off, with United looking confident and energetic under interim boss Michael Carrick. Spurs began brightly themselves, showing flashes of intent through Dominic Solanke and Conor Gallagher, but the balance of the contest shifted decisively midway through the first half.

The game’s key moment arrived just before the half-hour mark when Tottenham captain Cristian Romero was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Casemiro. It was a turning point that left Spurs facing a long afternoon with ten men, and United immediately began to assert control. Their pressure told in the 38th minute as a cleverly worked set-piece saw Kobbie Mainoo pick out Bryan Mbeumo, who showed great composure to finish from close range and give the hosts a deserved lead.

After the break, United dominated possession and territory, patiently moving the ball and repeatedly stretching Spurs’ depleted defence. Diogo Dalot was a constant threat down the right, while Casemiro’s presence pinned Tottenham back. Guglielmo Vicario kept the visitors in the contest with a string of sharp saves, and to their credit Spurs defended bravely, refusing to fold despite the numerical disadvantage. Thomas Frank later praised his side’s resilience, noting they still had moments where the game might have taken a different turn.

Any lingering doubt was removed in the 81st minute when Bruno Fernandes finished confidently from a Dalot cross to seal the points. It was a fitting end to a controlled United performance, securing a fourth straight league win and extending their unbeaten run under Carrick. For Tottenham, it was a frustrating afternoon defined by discipline issues and missed chances, while United’s supporters left Old Trafford buoyant, sensing real momentum as the business end of the season approaches.

Talking Points

The first talking point has to be the winning run United now find themselves on under Carrick, who has achieved what Amorim couldn’t in his first 4 games, a winning run of 4 in a row. With the social media United Strand one midweek trip to West Ham away from finally getting his haircut, United were able to close the gap on Villa in 3rd, maintain their pole position for a Champions League place while also showing this run of form simply isn’t a hot streak, or even a new manager bounce, but genuine quality football and cohesion within the squad that arguably has been lacking in recent years.

The second talking point to raise is the morale of the team in it’s current form. United have struggled post-Ferguson with ego, individual player demands and a feeling of entitlement, which has sent some players out of the club, while some have felt aggrieved with their situation. Despite United having one of their shortest seasons in the clubs history, the players on and off the pitch seem genuinely happy and content as things stand. With training being tailored to a more harmonious environment, even those with limited minutes are as involved in celebrations as those starting week-in, week-out. While some could begin to question Carrick’s selection for being unchanged apart from the enforced switch following the injury to Dorgu, he’s very much found a system and selection that works, while being able to make the most of his options from the bench when required.

Finally, the talking point that links everything together for this perfect run United are finding themselves on, is the return to the United DNA. With attacking, flowing football being supplemented by a willingness to play academy prospects, Mainoo is flying in the Carrick reign, while his late substitution for Tyler Fletcher meant another academy prospect had been given a United debut at Old Trafford, and while his limited touches helped see the game out, it marks a real understanding from Carrick of how the club operates and what the fans like to see from their leadership, which could benefit the manager long-term in the summer with a big decision to come over a permanent appointment.