Manchester United have endured a torrid first half against Tottenham in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag’s team were looking for a response after frustrating draws in consecutive campaigns but got off to a nightmare start when Spurs opened the scoring inside three minutes.
Micky van de Ven’s scintillating solo run saw the Spurs centre-back charge forward to tee up Brennan Johnson, who tapped home to score for the fourth game running in all competitions.
Ange Postecoglou’s visitors were well on top during the opening exchanges and the Red Devils’ setbacks continued to come. Bruno Fernandes was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on James Maddison, reducing the home side to 10 men before half-time.
The Portugal international slipped as he challenged Maddison, though an outstretched leg caught the midfielder high and Chris Kavanagh brandished the red.
Fernandes is just the fourth Manchester United captain to be sent off in a Premier League game at Old Trafford after Roy Keane in April 2001 (v Manchester City), Nemanja Vidic in March 2014 (v Liverpool) and Wayne Rooney in September 2014 (v West Ham).
To compound Manchester United’s misery, Kobbie Mainoo has been withdrawn just before the interval with an injury. Mason Mount has come on as his replacement.
It looks a long road back for Ten Hag’s team as things stand…
