Three million views and counting: the 10-second Spurs clip that exposed Manchester United's midfield crisis
It is the clip everyone is talking about. By Monday morning, a 10-second video showing Tottenham passing through the Manchester United press and breaking up the pitch with ease had been viewed three million times on social media — a lightning rod for the frustrations of a fanbase enduring the club's worst start to a league season in 40 years.
United's return of six points from six Premier League games is the fewest they have gained at this stage of a season in four decades, and Saturday's 1-1 draw with 10-man Spurs at Old Trafford — Spurs forced to play on after Rodrigo Bentancur's red card, only for Dominic Solanke to snatch an injury-time equaliser — has only sharpened the scrutiny. Every shortcoming is now being examined in forensic detail. But what does the clip, and other similar instances in the game, actually reveal about Michael Carrick's United?
Breaking down the viral clip
The clip occurs in the 57th minute, with the score 0-0. Jan Paul van Hecke has the ball in the Spurs penalty area after receiving a short goal-kick from centre-back partner Marco Senesi. Six United players have stepped up and gone man-to-man to deploy a high press. But their four defenders are back on the halfway line, leaving a big gap between the United defence and midfield.
Crucially, United's left winger Matheus Cunha is standing too far away from Spurs right-back Archie Gray. Van Hecke is closed down but is able to make a straightforward pass into Gray's path — and Gray is already on the charge into the space in front of United's defence. With one pass out of their own penalty area, Spurs have left six United players trailing behind the ball.
Carrick can be seen gesturing to Cunha to chase back — but Gray is away. The full-back carries the ball all the way to United's defensive third, where he plays a square pass to the unmarked Conor Gallagher. United's central midfielders, Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo, are running back but cannot make up the ground in time.
"If you look at Tielemans and Mainoo getting back here, the two in midfield chasing back, it's a real struggle for them," said Sky Sports' Gary Neville on co-commentary.
Gallagher shuttles the ball onto Spurs left winger Savio, who takes a touch and then sees his shot blocked out for a corner by Leny Yoro. The immediate danger is averted — but the warning is not.
The wider problems it reflects
The clip does not exist in a vacuum. United have already suffered criticism this season for their fitness, their intensity out of possession and their lack of compactness, and the draw with Spurs is merely the latest exhibit.
"When you come back from the World Cup, you don't do lots of running. Just chill." That was the quote from Tielemans to Rio Ferdinand in pre-season when he was asked about training under Carrick in preparation for the upcoming campaign. It has been repeatedly referenced in these opening weeks given United have been out-run in every Premier League fixture so far — aside from the Manchester derby, when Manchester City had Phil Foden sent off in the first half.
Cunha himself admitted after the draw at Fulham before the international break: "They put in more energy than us, we cannot accept this." Neville was scathing of that showing from United, and on Saturday he was again critical of whether the Tielemans-Mainoo partnership is energetic enough for the Premier League.
Summer signing Carlos Baleba, whose start at the club has been disrupted by injury, came on as a substitute for Tielemans after United defended two Spurs corners which followed the viral clip. Could he provide the solution now he is returning to fitness? Perhaps — but the answer surely also requires a more joined-up approach from United's players out of possession, one that does not require a player to cover huge areas of grass on their own to prevent teams gaining territory as quickly and easily as Spurs did on Saturday.
Udogie spots the space early on
While one clip went viral, there were other examples of United's defensive set-up being stretched. Just 12 minutes into the match, Spurs had their first goal-kick. Again they went short, with Senesi passing to goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. Left-back Destiny Udogie was quickly on the run, realising Amad Diallo had given him space and was looking the other way — a near-identical situation to the Gray incident which would happen later in the match. On this occasion, though, Senesi turned back and declined to make the pass out to Udogie, who had raced into space behind the United midfield.
United's front six disconnect from the rest
The viral clip was not the only occasion United allowed a huge gap to open up between their defence and the rest of the team. Seven minutes before Gray was released, Bruno Fernandes closed down Kinsky to prevent him from passing to Van Hecke. But the plan from Spurs was there — and so was the opportunity provided by the big space behind Tielemans and Mainoo.
Cunha with his hands on his knees
There were worrying signs for United before the viral moment, too. Cunha looked like he was blowing a minute before the incident, when Kinsky opted to go long. Fatigue could be a significant factor in United being unable to effectively deploy their man-to-man high press — especially considering Cunha gives Gray too much space soon after, which allows Spurs to break up the pitch.
Baleba makes up the ground just in time
Into the 87th minute, with United 1-0 up, there was more caution in Cunha's positioning. The Brazilian is deeper than in previous set-ups for Spurs goal-kicks and is able to deny Van Hecke the option of playing a similar pass for Gray as previously. However, five other United players have pushed up on their opponents — leaving that space in behind them again. Remember: United have a one-goal lead against 10 men with less than four minutes of normal time remaining.
Fortunately for United, Baleba is on the pitch and has spotted the passing option for Van Hecke. The midfielder charges across the pitch to make the interception just in time, and United scramble to survive on that occasion. Ultimately, though, they concede an injury-time equaliser — fuelling further scrutiny of United's approach and performances this season.