Manchester United 1 Spurs 0: Five things we learnt as Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s strike seals vital three points for Jose Mourinho
Resurgent forward netted the winner, tormented the Spurs defence... But left the pitch with an injury late on
JOSE MOURINHO'S decision to finally put Henrikh Mkhitaryan in his starting XI has been reaping the rewards this week.
The Armenian forward, 26, netted the winner in Sunday's game against Tottenham - the fourth goal he has been involved in in his last four games.
But what else can we take away from the clash at Old Trafford?
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We take a look at five things to take away from the game, including that man Mkhitaryan.
1. OH MKHI, YOU'RE SO FINE...
IT'S taken long enough, but finally it would appear Mkhitaryan is a first-team regular at Manchester United.
And for fans, it's been a long time coming.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward netting in the 29th-minute of the game at Old Trafford to give his side the lead against Tottenham.
Mkhitaryan became the first Armenian to ever score in then Premier League - and on the back of being involved in four goals in his last four games, it would appear he has finally set to play an integral role under Jose Mourinho.
Worryingly for United, the resurgent forward was taken off in the final ten minutes with an injury sustained in a heavy tackle with Danny Rose.
2. HARDLY A UNITED BACK FOUR
THERE were two or three occasions in the first half where Man United showed a complete lack of discipline in setting up for set-pieces.
Having given up half a dozen free-kicks in dangerous areas in the first half, the players looked less than enthusiastic to defend them.
Fortunately they escaped unharmed during those moments, and Mkhitaryan's goal against the run of play really knocked the stuffing out of Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham and swung the game in their favour.
On top of that, you can't help but feel United throw together a makeshift back four game after game...
After all, Antonio Valencia at right-back, Matteo Darmian on the left with Marcos Rojo in the middle doesn't exactly scream solidity.
That said, a clean sheet is a clean sheet, but perhaps more of a scathing indictment of Tottenham's lack of continued threat in front of goal...
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3. SPEED LIMIT
IT'S no secret that Anthony Martial may be incredibly quick, but in reality, United lack a yard of pace in their XI.
Every time the home side attempted to start a break, they'd get the ball to the French forward, but with Kyle Walker marking him, the English full-back was more than quick enough to hold his own.
On one or two occasions, a lovely threaded through-ball from midfield spelled danger for the Spurs back four, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic lacked the pace to get on the end of it, with Danny Rose mopping up far too comfortably on one occasion.
A quicker forward such as Marcus Rashford, who was on the bench, would have easily got the ball and a real chance to score... And kill the game off in the process.
4. POGBA SET(-PIECE) IN HIS WAYS
IT'S easy to forget just how good Paul Pogba was during his Juventus days given how indifferent his form at Man United has been since his £109million switch in the summer.
The Frenchman was a true set-piece specialist in Serie A... And he showed just why today.
Pogba lined up a free-kick from all of 25-30 yards and rattled the ball against the bar, with goalkeeper Lloris absolutely stranded.
The entire ground thought the ball was in; he was just a matter of millimetres away from that being the case.
Call that one a sighter, but had there been another opportunity in this game, you'd put your mortgage on him making the net bulge...
5. FINISH THEM
CHANCE after chance came. Chance after chance went just as quickly...
Once again Mr Mourinho was left exasperated by his side's inability to find that all-important second goal.
Pogba and Ibrahimovic were just two players to miss gilt-edged chances, as the mood around the ground grew ever tenser, with not a soul forgetting just what happened against Everton last week.
Fortunately for United, their profligacy in front of goal didn't come back to haunt them... This time.