MAN UNITED 1, TOTTENHAM 0
It was a case of Manchester United winning ugly at home to Tottenham as a late goal from substitute Anthony Martial ended their minor blip.
And Martial’s effort was not one of beauty, but highly effective to keep the Reds second and still within striking distance of their neighbours who are top of the Premier League.
Goalkeeper David De Gea’s long clearance was headed on by Romelu Lukaku to release Martial who raced clear to slot the ball low past keeper Hugo Lloris, his sixth of the season.
After picking up only one point from league games against Liverpool and Huddersfield Town, United could ill afford another slip and potentially be seven points adrift of City.
United manager Jose Mourinho admitted he would have had no complaints about his team’s display, even if they had not won.
He explained: “If the result had been 0-0 or 1-1, my feelings about the players and the team would have been the same. They players gave absolutely everything and played like it was the last ball of their careers.
“I am very happy we beat a very good team that I like. And the goal gave us two more points than 0-0.”
Spurs’ manager Mauricio Pochettino described it as a “painful” but was proud of the effort of his players saying he had no complaints about the performance. Spurs have lost 21 of their 26 Premier League visits to Old Trafford, winning only twice.
And he added Harry Kane’s absence was not the cause of the loss as he said: “Of course we missed Harry Kane who is one of the best strikers in the world.
“We didn’t lose because he was not here. You have to adapt and I am happy with the performance.”
United, who opted for three centre backs, made three changes from the side that was lost at Huddersfield Town.
Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Martial made way for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Eric Bailly and Marcus Rashford.
Spurs were without talisman Kane as the striker was ruled out though a hamstring strain. They had Dele Alli operating just behind Heung-min Son up front.
After a low-key opening, United created the first clear-cut chance in the 12th minute, a 30-yard free free kick from Rashford that keeper Hugo Lloris had to dive full length to push round the post for a corner.
Both sides matched one another tactically and it was a case of each cancelling out the other with little prospect of the stalemate being broken.
Spurs’ only sniff at goal came when David De Gea collided with team-mate Phil Jones as he went to catch a Ben Davies cross. The ball fell to Moussa Sissoko who blazed over from the edge of the box.
There was a rare moment of excitement early in the second half when Lloris failed to gather a low shot from Mkhitaryan.
The loose ball looked set to be converted by Rashford in the six-yard box only for Ben Davies to make a last-gasp clearance.
Spurs made a double change just after the hour as Son and Moussa Sissoko were replaced by Fernando Llorente and Mousa Dembele as they looked to find a route to goal.
United had a rare sight at goal when Antonio Valencia’s drive from Mkhitaryan’s corner narrowly cleared the crossbar.
The Reds made their first change mid-half when Mkhitaryan made way for Lingard. And a second quickly followed when Rashford came off to be replaced by Martial.
Sours had a great chance to snatch victory with 13 minutes left when Christian Eriksson’s lofted ball found Dele Alli who volleyed narrowly wide from six yards.
The game suddenly and belatedly ignited as Lukaku headed against the upright from Lingard’s cross.
United finally made the breakthrough in the 81st minute with a route one goal.
De Gea’s goal kick was headed on by Lukaku for Martial to break clear as he coolly slotted the ball low to the left of Lloris.
Lingard had a chance to score a second in the 90th minute when he beat Eriksson to burst through on goal only to blaze over.
In stoppage time, Ashley Young was replaced by Matteo Darmian, though that change was only to help run down the clock and waste time.