Former Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho on Wednesday night at the Old Trafford, suffered his first defeat since taking over at Tottenham Hotspur, as Marcus Rashford scored a brace to give United the full three points on a night they played their best football since the beginning of the current season.
The game which saw both teams playing almost similar pattern, with United having the upper hand with their counter attacking approach at the Old Trafford, saw Rashford beats Tottenham keeper Paulo Gazzaniga at his near post, six minutes after the ball had broken to the England forward off Davinson Sanchez.
Dele Alli who has been in good form since the coming of Jose Mourinho, equalised with a brilliant goal at the end of the first half. But Rashford made it two from the spot, after he was adjudged to have been fouled by Moussaka Sissoko, and after a long wait for a VAR check, Rashford kept his nerve to convert a penalty four minutes after the break.
Both side missed chances upon chances, but it was United that came out tops with all three points after some disappointing run of results.
Evidence of change at United came with a team that contained only five players Mourinho picked for the corresponding fixture last season.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaking to BBC Sport after the game at Old Trafford, said:
“You are always happy when you win. The boys are learning and improving all the time but tonight we were fantastic for long, long spells.
“The three points are massive for us. We’ve had too many draws this season and given too many points away from winning positions. It’s a great lesson the last two games [Sheffield United and Aston Villa] and we came back in a great manner.
“We’ve started the rebuilding. We’ve made decisions that we had to and we’re looking to build this club to be better again and I can’t think short term when I’m trying to do that. When we turn the corner and win three or four games on the run, they will get that Man Utd feeling again.”
On Marcus Rashford: “It’s the best game he’s had under me. He was mature and strong against good Premier League players. His penalty was calm and composed, and his [first] goal, we know he’s got those strikes in him, and he had three or four chances.
“It’s like he was back on the playground or in the back garden. We want them to have fun, there’s nothing dangerous out there – just 75,00 people wanting to see the best [of them].”
Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho, also to spoke to BBC Sport about the game, saying: “We started the second half with a goal that it is impossible to concede.
“We were not alert, sleeping at the throw-in and we let [Marcus] Rashford attack. Once he is inside the box it’s more difficult to defend and he was clever and waited for the touch. In the first half they started more aggressive and more intense and deserved to be in front, maybe even 2-0, then we took control of the game.
“The goal at the start of the second half gave United the chance to play the way they did.”
On Dele Alli: “Dele is fine, he gave a good performance and tried everything, even in the second half when it’s more difficult and they are more compact.”
On Marcus Rashford: “When he plays from the left he is really dangerous and I knew that and gave the players the best information about it. His first goal is a typical Rashford goal coming on the inside. Our boys knew that clearly.” he said.