Manchester United extended their winning run under head coach Michael Carrick with a two nil Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, February 7, keeping their push for a top four finish firmly on track.
The win marked United’s fourth straight league victory since Carrick returned to the dugout, with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and captain Bruno Fernandes proving decisive against a Spurs side reduced to ten men before the half hour mark.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero was sent off in the 29th minute for serious foul play after a reckless challenge on Casemiro, catching the Brazilian’s ankle with upturned studs. Referee had little hesitation in showing a straight red card, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb in Manchester.
United had already started on the front foot, with Casemiro testing goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from long range and Matheus Cunha curling an ambitious effort just wide. Fernandes also went close after being picked out by Amad, but his shot drifted off target.
The numerical advantage soon told. In the 38th minute, Fernandes delivered a clever corner down the byline to Kobbie Mainoo, whose lay off to the edge of the area was met by the onrushing Mbeumo, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.
Spurs survived further pressure before the break, with Vicario tipping Casemiro’s header over the crossbar to keep the deficit at one goal heading into half time.
United thought they had doubled their lead shortly after the restart when Amad tapped in, only for the offside flag to intervene. Fernandes later suffered the same fate in the build up to Cunha’s disallowed effort, as the home side continued to dominate possession and territory.
Tottenham did muster a rare threat through Xavi Simons, whose strike flashed wide, but United remained in control, forcing Vicario into action again through long range efforts from Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot.
The second goal finally arrived nine minutes from time. Dalot delivered a cross from the right and Fernandes ghosted in at the back post to divert the ball back across Vicario and into the net, calming any lingering nerves inside Old Trafford.
United could have added a third in stoppage time, but Benjamin Sesko headed tamely at the Spurs goalkeeper when well placed.
The result leaves Manchester United fourth on the table with 44 points from 25 matches, just three points behind second placed Manchester City. Tottenham remain down in 14th place and are now winless in seven league matches in 2026, with the threat of a relegation battle becoming increasingly real.
Romero will now serve a four match ban after becoming the first player this season to receive multiple red cards in the Premier League. His dismissal overshadowed what Thomas Frank described as a promising opening spell for his side.
Michael Carrick said, “When it goes to 10 men, it is a always tricky situation. I thought it was quite an open game in the first half at times, we looked dangerous right from the start which was pleasing.
“We Had a few issues where I thought Tottenham played some really good football first half. Going up against 10 men in the second half, I thought we managed it really well.
“Largely in control, always wanting the second goal to come along. When it did, that put is in a really good position. It was nice and it was nice to get players on the pitch, young Tyler coming on for his first game. All in all, it was really positive.”
Spurs boss Thomas Frank said, “I think the first 30 minutes were a good away performance at a difficult place, against a team with confidence in them and flow. Then after the red card, I am very proud of the players.
“For the resilience, staying in the game mentality, and still being a threat at times, trying to create something, I’m very proud of my players. Then, of course we just made the three offensive substitutions and then we conceded the second goal.
“I think in the last 60 or 70 minutes, we were playing with 10 men. They put everything into it. I’m very proud of the fans. You could hear them loud throughout the game.”
United now turn their attention to a midweek trip to West Ham United, while Tottenham face a daunting run with Newcastle United and Arsenal next on their fixture list.
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