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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
James Robson

Tottenham player ratings vs Man United: Fred haunts Rodrigo Bentancur with Kulusevski Spurs’ main menace

Tottenham suffered a major setback in their fight for Champions League football, after losing 3-2 to Manchester United on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the Red Devils’ hero with a hat-trick at Old Trafford.

That was in spite of a Harry Kane penalty and an own goal from Harry Maguire, both of which levelled the scores as Spurs were made to fight for the chance to stake a claim for fourth.

James Robson was at Old Trafford to rate the visiting players...

Hugo Lloris - 6

Not a lot he could do about any of Ronaldo’s goals. Let down by his defence.

Cristian Romero - 6

Got stuck in with some meaty challenges as he chased after United’s mobile attack – but part of a Spurs defence that looked susceptible on the break.

Eric Dier - 7

Unlucky not to find the back of the net when Diogo Dalot headed his effort off the line. Escaped conceding a penalty when Ronaldo’s shot struck his arm.

Ben Davies - 6

Struggled with United’s movement and caught out on occasion when his communication could have been better.

Matt Doherty - 6

Got up well in support of Kulusevski to help Spurs overload on that side. But could not stop Sancho’s influence.

Rodrigo Bentancur - 5

Taken out of the game far too easily in the build-up to Ronaldo’s goal when a flick from Fred left him stranded. That felt typical on a day when he was left chasing a lot of shadows.

(PA)

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 7

Snapped into tackles to force United to keep their distance from goal and create a platform for Spurs to attack.

Sergio Reguilon - 7

Sloppy in playing Sancho onside for United’s second goal – but made up for that with his run and cross, which forced Maguire to turn into his own net.

Dejan Kulusevski - 8

A performance full of menace, which United never got to grips with. It was his cross that led to Kane’s penalty and his runs stretched Telles to breaking point.

Heung-min Son - 7

Picked up dangerous areas and cut holes in United’s defence with his intelligent passing. Should have done better with one second-half chance.

Harry Kane - 6

Fired Spurs back into the game from the spot – but then cost them an almost certain goal when getting in the way of a Kulusevski chance. Much of his best work was deep.

Subs

Lucas Moura (Kulusevski, 78’) - 5

Could not match Kulusevski’s effect.

Steven Bergwijn - (Davies, 87’) - N/A

Harry Winks - (Bentancur, 87’) - N/A

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