Man United's 'aggressive' display against Tottenham can be blueprint
Manchester United’s ‘aggressive, emotional’ display against Tottenham can be a blueprint for how Erik ten Hag wants to play, according to Lee Dixon – who praises ‘brilliant’ Lisandro Martinez for shackling Harry Kane
- Pundit Lee Dixon praised Manchester United’s performance in Tottenham win
- NBC coverage discussed how much of a blueprint display it was by Red Devils
- REPORT: Bruno Fernandes’ sweet strike and Fred’s deflected effort seal victory
- Click here for all your latest international Sports news from DailyMail.com
Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon hailed Manchester United’s display in their 2-0 win over Tottenham, explaining how the performance could be a blueprint for Erik ten Hag’s side.
United impressed as they overcame rivals Spurs thanks to second-half goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes.
The midfield duo were key to the Red Devils’ success at Old Trafford, but NBC pundit Dixon also pointed out that the whole team knew their responsibilities.
Manchester United impressed during their 2-0 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday evening
Ex-Arsenal defender Lee Dixon (R) was full of praise for the way Red Devils executed gameplan
When asked by co-commentator Peter Drury how much of a blueprint the victory was for United and how to play against Spurs, he replied: ‘United’s structure. Ten Hag has done a lot of work with where he wanted his midfield players to be.
‘The midfield was for me where it was won and lost,’ Dixon said.
‘Fred’s positioning, releasing Fernandes. I think that just put Tottenham on the back foot. They didn’t play particularly well but United didn’t let them.
Manager Erik ten Hag appears to be making his mark on a much-improved United team
‘I think [Raphael] Varane mentioned in his interview, mentioned aggression, they were really aggressive United, an emotion but you can’t play aggressive football with emotion if you don’t know what you’re doing, if you’re slightly off the gameplan, you have to be fully committed to it.’
United have lacked real identity and a particular style of play since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 but Ten Hag appears to be making his mark on a much-improved United team.
Antonio Conte’s Tottenham sat seven points ahead of them heading into the league encounter but United controlled the game and kept Spurs threatening attacks Harry Kane and Son Heung-min quiet.
Dixon singled out defender Lisandro Martinez (No. 6) for keeping Spurs star Harry Kane quiet
Dixon hailed Ten Hag’s side’s ‘aggression’ and singled out summer signing Lisandro Martinez for shackling Kane.
‘The start of the game was really important for United. They got into the game, they realized they were playing well and that they could release players in that midfield areas and create chances which enabled them to built that confidence up,’ Dixon added on NBC.
‘Then when you add aggression, add emotion, add fans who are behind it, and can see a plan, and a DNA and all the stuff we’ve talked about, you got a United performance that was very, very good.
‘Conte will be disappointed. Harry Kane was marshalled brilliantly by Martinez and they were a kind of a damp squib tonight.’
United sit in fifth place in the Premier League standings following victory over Spurs, eight points off leaders Arsenal.
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