United 1 - 0 Tottenham

Photo: Getty Images

Phew. We absolutely needed those three points, especially given that we've got another very tough game away to Chelsea in a week. We didn't really set the world alight but neither did Tottenham and I thought we were a tad better than them overall. Much fuss was made about Kane missing the game but reporters seem to forget that we've already had a few injuries this season and no one really felt sorry for us. If Tottenham cannot play without Kane, it's their problem. We've had Pogba missing for more than a month now plus a few other key players. 

We started the game brightly but faded after the first 10 minutes. Neither team had a good chance to open the score. In fact, I cannot really recall either keeper making a save.  United were much better during the second half and created three decent chances in a space of a minute. But we really clicked when Lingard and Martial came on. Lingard delivered a great cross that Lukaku headed against the post and a few minutes later Lukaku headed the ball into Martial's path who finished past the Spurs goalie. Lingard had a great chance to put the game to bed but blasted over the bar and let us fans suffer the final few minutes of the game...covering our eyes whenever Spurs approached our box.

I thought Jones, Bailly, Smalling, Valencia and Young were excellent today. Rashford, Herrera and Mkhitaryan were too quiet and Lukaku only burst into life when Martial came on the field. Matic did well but I can't understand how he was given the man of the match award. I actually thought Valencia was our best player today, followed by Ashley Young. 

Delighted we won such an important game and kept our 100% record at Old Trafford this season. We haven't yet conceded a goal in the PL at home either. It is essential we turn our stadium into the place our opponents used to fear years ago and we seem to be doing just that. Was it a great performance? Of course not but it's the points that count. Benfica next.