Half-and-half scarves on sale outside Wembley Park tube station featured their images and it really did feel as if this was a duel between managers as much as any of the stars on parade at Wembley.
Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino, with his reputation for stylish football and faith in young players, is top of Manchester United’s hit list as they consider the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho.
Interim appointment Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started with five wins but this was his first real test with United unable to beat any of their Big Six rivals this season.
It really did feel as if this was a duel between managers as much as any of the stars on parade
SELECTION
Solskjaer resisted the urge to recall Romelu Lukaku and alter the system which has worked well for him. Marcus Rashford continued up front, flanked by Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial, with Lukaku on the bench and no sign of Alexis Sanchez, who was injured in the FA Cup against Reading but trained with the team all week in Dubai.
Jan Vertonghen was back in defence for Pochettino after a month out and Heung-min Son was making his final appearance before he reports for international duty with South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup. Ben Davies replaced Danny Rose at left-back.
TACTICS
Pochettino’s shortage of options forced him into his midfield diamond but it has proved effective in recent weeks, with Son and Harry Kane up front, Dele Alli operating in behind them and Christian Eriksen deeper still. Spurs settled first, dominating possession and moving the ball, forcing United deep but without carving chances or threatening David de Gea’s goal in the first half.
Mauricio Pochettino opted for a midfield diamond with Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane up top
United, with pace up front were prepared to invite Tottenham onto them, defend in numbers around the edge of the penalty area and pick their moments on the counter attack. It may not necessarily be the much-vaunted “United Way” but without the recovery speed of Davinson Sanchez at the back for Spurs, it proved effective.
Rashford’s opener in the closing moments of the first half was the perfect illustration. Kieran Trippier was careless with a stray pass in midfield, Paul Pogba released Rashford and his finish was clinical.
CHANGES
Moussa Sissoko’s first-half injury was a serious
