Manchester United boosted their hopes of a top four finish, with a convincing 3-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Louis van Gaal saw his side respond to the disappointing FA Cup exit to Arsenal with arguably their best performance of what has been an up and down season.
First half goals from Maraoune Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney saw United open up a six point gap over Mauricio Pochettino’s side, making them strong favourites according to www.gamblingsitesonline.org to finish in the top four, and has put the pressure on Liverpool ahead of tonight’s trip to Swansea.
It looks as though it will be a straight fight between the bitter north West rivals for that final Champions League position, with the two set to come head to head at Anfield next Sunday.
United will be happy for the way in which they warmed up for this crucial fixture yesterday.
Here we have identified five reasons as to why they won so convincingly.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal 5 reasons why Manchester United beat Tottenham
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The change of system to 4-3-3
Van Gaal has experimented with many different systems this season, but the recent injury to Robin van Persie may have proved a blessing in disguise, as it has enabled Wayne Rooney to return as a central striker in a 4-3-3 system.
Ashley Young is close to rediscovering something like his best form in the wide left position, whilst Maraoune Fellaini has looked a different player as an attacking midfielder.
Juan Mata made a rare start yesterday in an unfavoured wide position, but the balance of the team in this system appeared to be much better, and should be stuck with from now until the end of the season.
The left hand side
Manchester United had the game won by half time, with Tottenham simply unable to cope with their threat down the left hand side.
Mauricio Pochettino was forced to withdraw Andros Townsend after just half an hour, with Fellaini, Ashley Young, and Daley Blind in a left back position causing all manner of problems.
Fellaini fired the opening goal having been fed in down the left channel, whilst Young and Blind’s combinations created plenty of other opportunities in a dominant first half display.
Rooney as a central striker
United fans have been frustrated with the way in which Wayne Rooney has been used this season, with the England captain often being deployed in midfield.
He was in his favoured position as a central striker yesterday, and made the game safe with a trademark cool finish shortly before half time – which was followed by perhaps the celebration of the season in reference to the boxing knock out video that had emerged earlier in the day.
Rooney is far better suited to playing that role, and was a constant thorn in Tottenham’s side all afternoon. He could well prove the difference in the race for top four if he continues in that position.
De Gea was protected
Too often this season David De Gea has been Manchester United’s hero, with defensive lapses a constant feature of the season at Old Trafford.
You wonder where United might be without their Spanish goalkeeper, but yesterday he was not called upon until the closing moments when Tottenham managed their first shot on target.
United were defensively solid yesterday, and bar an early overhit backpass from Phil Jones that De Gea had to turn behind for a corner, mistakes were limited.
Jones and Chris Smalling have been criticised at times this season, but they were able to keep Harry Kane – a man with 26 goals to his name this season – quiet all afternoon.
Tottenham didn’t show up
Bar the home victories against Chelsea and Arsenal this season, Tottenham’s recent record against the top sides looks to prove costly once again this season.
Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and now Manchester United have all beaten them on their travels this season, with perhaps the visit to Anfield the only time in which they put up something like a fight.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side had won the last two visits to Old Trafford prior to yesterday’s game, but they never got going and were comfortably beaten by half time.
