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Nick Potts
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Man United v Tottenham, Premier League

Man United took on Tottenham, with Jose Mourinho under pressure to get a positive result.

Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

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Kick off for the game is at 8pm.

We’re under way…

United almost get off to a great start.

Lingard heads the ball on and Fred finds himself in a promising position inside the box, but fires narrowly wide.

Interestingly, it looks like Herrera is playing alongside Jones and Small as part of a back three.

United have started well, so perhaps that idea has contributed in catching Spurs a little off guard.

Lucas Moura gets booked for a rash high boot on Phil Jones.

Tottenham have enjoyed a bit more possession and territory in recent minutes, but they have yet to create a clear-cut chance.

Big chance!

Danny Rose’s backpass towards Lloris is short.

Lukaku latches on to it, takes it round Lloris, but puts the finish from a tight angle just wide.

Shaw gets forward well down the left and finds space after being brilliantly picked out by Lingard.

The full-back’s low cross finds Lukaku, but the Belgian’s finish on the edge of the area is tame enough, allowing Lloris to make a fairly comfortable save.

Shortly thereafter, Herrera gets booked for taking out Moura.

United have been the better side so far.

Spurs have looked a little nervy and unsure of themselves on the ball, as epitomised by that stray Rose backpass a few minutes ago.

Harry Kane, meanwhile, has just been booked for an overzealous two-footed challenge on Valencia.

Chance for Spurs after Alli robs Matic of possession deep in United’s half.

The England star is then caught in two minds as to whether to shoot or play in Harry Kane. In the end, he does neither, as Smalling’s tackle prevents him from going any further.

Moments later, Lukaku heads a Fred cross a few inches wide, as the game threatens to really come alive following a slow start.

Controversy as Moura goes on a mazy run before seemingly being taken down by Jones.

Judging by replays, it looks a pretty clear penalty, but United breathe a sigh of relief as the ref waves play on.

Down the other end, Fred swivels away from Alderweireld, before curling an attempt from the edge of the area just wide.

Some nervy moments for Spurs.

Pogba’s shot from distance is parried away by Lloris.

Moments later, Matic gets on the end of Valencia’s cross, and the Serbian international’s effort deflects off Vertonghen and goes just wide.

Notwithstanding the stonewall penalty, United have been the better side.

The hosts have looked more threatening and have caused Spurs problems out wide especially.

Luke Shaw, in particular, has looked impressive with his raids down the left flank.

As I type, however, Moura plays it to Eriksen, who can’t quite get a hold of his shot on the edge of the box, meaning De Gea can make a fairly straightforward save.

Trippier’s cross falls to an unmarked Dele Alli, but Herrera makes an excellent last-ditch block to prevent him getting an attempt on target.

Moura was free in a more central position, and is visibly unimpressed with his team-mate for opting to take the shot on.

HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 0-0 TOTTENHAM

Half-time and it’s all square.

United had the best chance of the half, with Lukaku collecting Rose’s attempt at a backpass before steering the ball just wide.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, however, will have cause for complaint, after Phil Jones blatantly took down Lucas Moura in the box, but the referee failed to award a spot kick.

The quality of the football has not always been great — the first 20 minutes were particularly scrappy. But it’s been a tense and fascinating tactical battle nonetheless, with not too much between the teams so far.

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Old Trafford Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (centre) battles for the ball with Manchester United's Antonio Valencia (left) and Ander Herrera. Nick Potts Nick Potts Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (centre) battles for the ball with Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia (left) and Ander Herrera.Source: Nick Potts

Interesting stats from Sky.

United have had 10 shots to Tottenham’s two, and 53% possession, though only two of the Red Devils’ attempts have been on target.

The second half has begun…

More good play from Luke Shaw down the left.

The defender’s cross finds Pogba on the edge of the area and the World Cup winner’s attempt curls narrowly wide.

Spurs then break and De Gea has to parry away Kane’s cross-shot, with Moura lurking in the penalty area.

This game remains very finely balanced.

MAN UNITED 0-1 TOTTENHAM (KANE 50)

Tottenham take the lead to silence the majority of the Old Trafford crowd and it’s Harry Kane’s first goal at Old Trafford.

The striker beats Jones to the header from Trippier’s corner and steers it past De Gea.

MAN UNITED 0-2 TOTTENHAM (MOURA 53)

United are in serious trouble now.

Trippier’s plays a good ball down the line to Eriksen.

The Dane’s cross finds Moura, who produces an emphatic first-time finish to leave De Gea with no chance.

In between those two goals, Lukaku dispossessed Dembele in the Spurs man’s own area.

However, Lloris produced a decent save to deny the Belgian international.

Spurs have been that bit more clinical than United so far.

United have made an attacking change in response to that second Spurs goal.

Herrera has gone off, with Alexis Sanchez coming on in his stead.

Presumably that means United will revert to a different formation to their previous three-at-the-back strategy.

Another change for United. Lindelof, who was dropped following his display in the Brighton game, comes on.

The Sweden international replaces Phil Jones, who is running awkwardly and appears to be in pain as he goes off.

It will be interesting to see how United will respond to those two goals.

The first half was comfortably their best display of the season, but they failed to capitalise when they were on top.

As I type, Lingard gets on the end of a Lukaku knock down, but Alderweireld does enough to put him off and the attempt goes well over.

This game doesn’t feel over by any means yet.

Amid all that action, United made a final attacking change.

Fellaini comes on for Matic, with the hosts desperately in need of a goal.

Almost three! Lindelof’s backpass is short in an uncannily similar moment to Rose’s first-half mishap.

Alli gets the ball, takes it partially round De Gea, but the Spanish goalkeeper recovers well to make the save.

Moments later, Harry Kane misses a gilt-edged chance, as his header from close range goes just wide.

It feels as if this game could just as easily end with a stirring comeback or Tottenham running riot on the counter attack.

Sanchez runs down the touchline, but Alderweireld makes a well-timed tackle.

The Belgian international, who has only played sporadically for Tottenham in recent months, has looked remarkably assured and far from rusty tonight.

Mourinho must be wishing he had signed him in the transfer window.

Trippier appears to have taken a knock and is replaced by Serge Aurier.

Meanwhile, Rose is booked for cynically dragging back Pogba.

Spurs still don’t look entirely comfortable — you get the sense that if United get one back in the next few minutes, they might wilt.

As I type, Lingard’s shot from Lukaku’s pull back deflects off Dembele and goes over.

Spurs make a change. Rose has taken a knock and is replaced by Ben Davies.

Less than 10 minutes of normal time remain.

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Old Trafford Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (second right) scores his side's first goal of the game. Nick Potts Nick Potts Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (second right) scores his side’s first goal of the game.Source: Nick Potts

MAN UNITED 0-3 TOTTENHAM (MOURA 85)

Moura wraps up the game and the man-of-the-match award.

Spurs break and Kane plays it to him.

The Brazilian still has plenty of work to do. He takes it past Smalling before hammering the ball into the corner of the net.

This game is all but over and the home fans know it.

They have seen enough and are making a hasty exit before the final whistle.

Spurs make a final change.

Harry Kane, whose brilliant first goal was a crucial moment, is replaced by Harry Winks.

It’s good to see the young midfielder playing again, having missed a considerable portion of last season with a long-term injury.

Alexis Sanchez’s curling free kick from the edge of the area is saved comfortably by Lloris.

There will be five minutes of stoppage time.

Moura runs through on the counter-attack again, but Lindelof uses his strength well to shrug him off the ball.

The ex-PSG star has been a constant thorn in the hosts’ side tonight, and he’s just been deservedly confirmed as the official man of the match. 

It’s very rare to see Old Trafford so empty before the final whistle.

It will be interesting to hear the crowd’s reaction when the ref does blow it up and puts United out of their misery.

FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 0-3 TOTTENHAM

Mourinho looks emotional at the final whistle.

Interestingly, he stands in front of the fans long after his players have departed and applauds the home fans.

Right, that’s all from me, but we’ll have plenty more reaction to follow.

You can read our match report here.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

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