LONDON: Manchester United, for all the bold words from the new part-owners, find themselves stuck in the bottom half of the Premier League. A 3:0 home defeat to Tottenham left them eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool after only six matches.

United’s performance was as insipid as in the midweek home draw against Twente Enschede in the Europa League. This was even before they were reduced to 10 men before halftime by Bruno Fernandes’s first Old Trafford red card. The pressure on manager Erik ten Hag could have even more intense had Timo Werner converted two one-on-one opportunities against Andre Onana.

Tottenham were without injured Heung-min Son yet went ahead after three minutes.

Micky van de Ven cut out a United attack inside his own half and charged half the length of the pitch, outpacing a posse of defenders before providing a perfect low cross for Brennan Johnson. The goal was the Welshman’s fourth in four games in three different competitions. It was the earliest United had conceded at Old Trafford since August 2023.

Johnson’s father was watching in the directors box in the ground where he had begun his own career. He might have had more to celebrate in the 20th minute but his son’s angled shot struck a post.

United manager Erik ten Hag had complained before the game that his team’s finishing was not good enough. Fellow Dutchman Joshua Zirkzee proved the point in the 23rd minute with a poor shot from close range which was saved by keeper Guglielmo Vicario. Ten Hag, in his technical area, shook his head in disbelief.

Worse was to come for United when captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off just before halftime for raking the back of James Maddison’s leg.

Tottenham deservedly extended their lead three minutes into the second half. Whatever Ten Hag said to his players at halftime went unheeded. A slip by Lisandro Martinez allowed Johnson to race free down the right wing and set up Dejan Kulusevski to volley Spurs’ second goal.

United played better with 10 men than with 11 but all in vain. Everything went right for Ten Hag’s opposite number Ange Postecoglou. First touches from substitutes Jonas Bergvall, with a corner, and Pape Mate Sarr provided No3 for Dominic Solanke.

Life will not grow any easier for Ten Hag. United go to Porto in the Europa League on Thursday then Aston Villa in the Premier League next Sunday.

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