ClapIt was called the Mourinho derby by many and while we may not be doing it much of a service in that sense, it’s the sort of game that is going to be entertaining no matter how you try and build up to it.
As reported by BBC and Manchester Evening News this encounter certainly lived up to the hype that it had previously set itself, with the Red Devils coming out on top with a narrow 2-1 triumph over a poor Spurs side.
Jose derby clash intensifies
Marcus Rashford, who enjoyed one of his best games in a long time, opened the scoring early on with a lovely effort. Dele Alli, who is in great form since Mourinho arrived, scored the equaliser just before half time.
Early in the second half a penalty for the hosts gave Rashford the opportunity to secure a brace and he did so, with United eventually managing to hold onto the lead and seal a huge win.
An under pressure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was understandably pleased with his side’s ability to bounce back and secure the three points.
“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.”
A rebuilding project in the early stages
Jose Mourinho, on the other hand, understands that he’s still got a lot of work to do with this team.
“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.”
The games aren’t exactly going to get all too much easier for United and Ole, with a trip to the Etihad in order to face local rivals Manchester City coming up this weekend. Tottenham, you would think, will feel a little bit more comfortable with a home game against Burnley, but the Clarets always seem to pop up with a surprise or two.
For now, Jose’s former side will be the ones with the bragging rights.
