Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Five things that went gone for the Red Devils

For the reigning champions, the season is going from bad to worse now. United came to this game on the back of a six match winning streak in all competitions hoping to close the gap at the top of the table;  but after today’s defeat, realistically their chances of retaining the title have gone from negligent to almost impossible.

Manchester United started and ended the game on an excellent tempo, but for the rest of the hour in between, Spurs were clearly the better side. They made the most of the chances that came their way and on the whole, deserved the three points in the end. Here’s five important points from United’s perspective.

1. Moyes needs to settle on a steady defense line

David Moyes, after exactly six months in charge, is still unsure of what his best team is, and is still changing the back line every few games. While it is perfectly alright to try permutations and combinations, changing it every few games isn’t. Vidic has been trying his utmost to organize the back line, but he needs a settled full back with him to control the game from the back. Evans has put in honest hard working shifts, and Moyes should look to give him a run of a few games now to settle in with Vidic.

2. United need a new left back

It may sound extremely cruel on Evra, but tonight’s game showed just how much age has caught up with him. Lennon pushed Evra hard the whole game, and was literally running rings around him. Evra is an attack minded player, and while he links up well going forward his defensive frailties are starting to show now. He has that worrying penchant to just switch off for a moment or two and allow the opposite winger to get behind him, and Lennon achieved that several times today. Had a couple of Lennon’s crosses gone to the right man today, the score line would have made a shameful reading. Moyes needs to assess his options in the market for a left back, and soon.