Spurs edge United in truly low-quality mid-table clash

Towards the end of Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, with the game still in the balance, both Brennan Johnson and Patrick Dorgu lost theirs.

- MIGUEL DELANEY

The two players careered into each other, leaving them both on the floor.

It was a moment to sum up what must have been one of the worst Premier League matches ever played, relative to the cost of both squads. This isn’t to criticise either player, or any of the players, or even the managers.

It is just the peculiar context that both clubs find themselves in, with the match preceded by a Spurs supporters protest against the ownership. Their team at least got a win that matters more to them, with Ange Postecoglou talking about how “it was important for us” (and certainly for him). But it’s hard to know what any of it means for United. Maybe nothing. That’s what the season has become.

Their Premier League campaign is another write-off, perhaps worse than 2021-22 and the most pronounced since 1988-89. Sir Alex Ferguson’s early United finished 11th that season, with a mere 45 goals in 38 games. Right now, it’s 15th and 28 in 25. This defeat was actually the 10th game in the Premier League that United haven’t scored in. That’s 40 per cent of their matches.

You can see why Ruben Amorim wanted to come at the end of the season rather than midway through it.

It has been said on these pages before, but there’s an argument to just totally write the campaign off and use it positively as preparation for next term.

It’s hard not to think like that when the situation has somehow got worse. Having necessarily reduced the numbers in their squad over the transfer window despite badly needing reinforcements, United now have both Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo injured for lengthy spells. Amad, who has been one of the few sources of hope this season, is now expected to miss the rest of it. Amorim spoke hopefully that Mainoo may only miss weeks rather than months.