Manchester United cemented their place in the Premier League’s top four with a victory over 10-man Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday
Saturday lunchtime brought a fourth win in as many matches for Michael Carrick since he took over as Manchester United interim manager. Opponents Tottenham Hotspur made things difficult for themselves when captain Cristian Romero was sent off in the first half but United still had work to do.
Bryan Mbeumo took advantage, rolling home United’s opener a few minutes before half time. It wasn’t until the final 10 minutes that the points were made safe thanks to a Bruno Fernandes effort but Carrick won’t be complaining too much.
There’s now a chance for the Red Devils to make it five league wins on the spin when they take on West Ham on Tuesday. The Hammers took a point at Old Trafford before Christmas but will go into the midweek meeting in the bottom three.
United fans will have had plenty to enjoy over the weekend, with things looking up after they strengthened their hold on a top-four spot. Here are Mirror Football‘s talking points from around Old Trafford.
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Mainoo becomes undroppable
Before the turn of the year, Kobbie Mainoo could barely get a look in at Manchester United. Ruben Amorim preferred to use Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role alongside Casemiro, meaning the England international had to make do with occasional cameos from the bench.
Things have changed under Michael Carrick, though, with Fernandes pushed forward and Mainoo brought into the starting XI in a 4-2-3-1 set-up. He has barely missed a minute under the interim boss, starting four games out of four and playing another 90 minutes against Spurs before making way for Tyler Fletcher in second-half stoppage time.
He grabbed an assist, rolling the ball across for Mbeumo to beat Guglielmo Vicario and set United on their way. After the game, former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves asked on TNT Sports whether Mainoo might even have time to play his way into England’s World Cup squad.
The midfielder feels undroppable right now, with Hargreaves speaking about a “perfect” midfield balance. “Kobbie, for him not to play for a year and come and play like this is amazing. I think [he and Casemiro] complete each other,” he said.
Keane proven wrong
When Manchester United brought Jonny Evans into their first-team coaching staff, former captain Roy Keane questioned the decision. The former centre-back was brought in to work with caretaker Darren Fletcher after Ruben Amorim was sacked and has remained in place since Michael Carrick’s appointment.
“It’s not an issue with Jonny Evans, it’s an issue with the club and the decision-making, who they’re bringing in,” Keane said, pointing to the Northern Irishman’s lack of experience in the coaching environment. However, Carrick singled out Evans for the part he played in United’s opener on Saturday to leave the one-time skipper with egg on his face.
“Jonny [Evans] had his eye on set plays so it’s great when things come off. Delighted with that,” Carrick said during a half-time interview with TNT Sports after United took the lead from a corner.
Manchester United have been among the most dangerous teams from set pieces in the Premier League this season. However, they still have some way to go to catch league leaders Arsenal in that regard.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
