Man utd toothless without a rush
The only striker that started the game in the 2-0 victory of Crystal Palace at Manchester United in Old Trafford scored both goals. Jean-Philippe Mateta showed what a real center-forward can do and which is still missing the side of Ruben Amorim.
There are countless problems at United, wing-backs that cannot create, defenders are too smart and a heavy midfield, but it was the sight of Kobbie Mainoo who played in the front that the obvious contrast between the two teams emphasized on Sunday .
The teenager from the position had his moments early. He had a good chance of Alejandro Garnaacho and then hit the post itself. But that was it. The problem that Mateta caused the defenders on the other side of the field was another matter.
United just looks toothless. They are 16 games since they led during the break. The only goal of the first half they scored in all competitions in all their competitions was the penalty of Bruno Fernandes in the defeat against Brighton. On this occasion the second half was probably even worse.
What the decision is to go with Mainoo says about Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee is a matter for speculation. But both struggled when they came up and looked completely without confidence. United Limp on but they remain a difficult watch.
There is few indications to suggest that everyone who has been left in the club, given the departure of Marcus Rashford, has the family tree to change things. To the transfer market then? Afterwards, Amorim seems more concerned about throwing good money after bad.
“We try to improve the team without making the mistakes from the past, try to balance the urgency of the moment.” United needs help. But the question is not only whether they can afford the right striker. It is as if they can really afford to wait.
Spence gets up to be counted for the Salah test
Djed Spence takes an arc. The Tottenham defender, who played out of position on the left, did a good job on Sunday at the Marsshalling Bryan Mbeumo. Next? Mohamed Salah.
The statistics show that he won eight of his 10 duels in the Gtech and nobody won more tackles in a spurs shirt. Impressive. But there were also the other moments that made a difference – how he used his strength to carry the bees of the ball to win a throw how he forced Mbeumo to return instead of crossing, his recovery pace to A Brentford to be concluded on that side …
After he was not eligible in the midweek and was injured against Leicester, this was a timely return to the team – and underlined the full -back of the progress that Spurs made.
“He has been excellent since he came to the team,” said Postecoglou afterwards. “He loves the challenge to take on the elite. Bryan is above that, especially here. You can see that he loves that challenge. That was another reason why we kept Micky [van de Ven] On ice cream. He will be important for us until Destiny returns. “
He will certainly be important on Thursday, in the Carabao Cup semi-final in Liverpool, when he has to contain the top artist of this season, Salah … Peter Smith
No home comfort for Brentford at the moment
The Fort van Brentford has been conquered more than usual in recent weeks – they are now Winless in six at home in all competitions, with their loss to track their fifth defeat in that run.
Perhaps the early kick-off on Sunday is not ideal for generating an intimidating atmosphere, but since he had previously had this campaign the best home record in the competition, Brentford has struggled in West London lately.
Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool have included in that run, so they have confronted with heavy opposition – but this weekend Thomas Frank will stay behind after thinking about how his side would not make long spells in the last third count of Spurs.
Thirty -seven crosses, 48 touches in the box and 2.29xg has been added to nothing.
Days against West Ham and Leicester are the next and Frank will hope for a positive return of those competitions, so that they can take advantage of their next home game, against Everton, and return to picking up important points at their head office Smith
'Nobody does better than Jean-Philippe Mateta'
If you had asked football fans a year ago if Jean-Philippe Mateta was one of the best attackers in the Premier League, they would have just laughed and call you a fool.
His turnout under Oliver Glasner has been phenomenal. Manchester United can only want to have a striker who has such power, athletics and ruthless goal period. He lets defenders defend with his movement and pure brutal power when in full current is a delight to see-as identified by his breathtaking 80-year run from one end of the field to the other in the first half where he Four left united defenders in his wake.
Matetas Two goals in Old Trafford names his count since 23 February last year to 23 goals. Only Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland have scored more. He is now under that company. Lewis Jones
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