A short clip showing Tottenham Hotspur breaking through Manchester United's press at Old Trafford has gone viral, gathering three million views by Monday morning. The 10-second video has become a focal point for fan frustration as United's six points from their first six Premier League games is their fewest at this stage of a season in 40 years.
The moment occurs in the 57th minute with the score at 0-0. Jan Paul van Hecke receives a short goal-kick from Marco Senesi and is closed down by a high press from six United players. However, United's four defenders remain on the halfway line, leaving a large gap between defence and midfield. Matheus Cunha is too far from Archie Gray, who receives a simple pass and charges into the space ahead of United's defence. Carrick gestures for Cunha to track back, but Gray is already away and carries the ball into United's defensive third, where Conor Gallagher is left unmarked.
Gary Neville, commentating for Sky Sports, said it was a real struggle for United's central midfielders, Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo, to get back in time. The incident reflects wider concerns already raised this season over United's fitness, out-of-possession intensity and compactness. Tielemans' comment about not doing much running after the World Cup has been repeatedly referenced, as United have been out-run in every Premier League fixture so far apart from the Manchester derby.
Cunha admitted after the draw at Fulham that his side had been out-worked. "They put in more energy than us, we cannot accept this," he said. With every shortcoming now under heavy scrutiny, the viral clip has become a symbol of the issues facing United at the start of the campaign.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing