Manchester United vs Tottenham- Ugly win gets United off the mark

Last updated : 10 August 2015 By DSG

The opening day of the Premier league brings with it feelings of excitement and expectation

This seasons curtain raiser saw Tottenham Hotspur take on a new look Manchester United at Old Trafford

New signings Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Sergio Romero all made their debuts, with the summers other big signing, Bastian Schweinsteiger, left on the bench

David De Gea, who has been at the centre of a transfer storm, was left out of the squad altogether.

United, donning their new Adidas armour for the first time, had less than the dream start they were hoping for

Last seasons surprise package and PFA Young Player of the Year, Harry Kane, picked up the ball just outside the area and produced an inventive scooped pass through to Christian Eriksen

Eriksen's first touch was perfect, yet his left footed shot cleared the bar as well as Romero and dropped onto the top of the net

Manchester United's defence continued to look less than watertight as Tottenham continued to find gaps at ease, looking far more likely to score the first goal

However, towards the first quarter of the match United created their first chance

Memphis breaks away from the Tottenham midfield and slides in Ashley Young, who's low pass finds Wayne Rooney in acres of space in front of the Tottenham goal

Kyle Walker, whom had been Spurs best player, caught the dawdling Rooney, yet saw his attempted tackle trickle into the corner of his own net

Tottenham's slice of misfortune kick started United into action

Rooney, Memphis and Young looked more energetic on the ball and began to pull Tottenham's defence apart and create mores chances of their own

The first half flattened as it drew to a close and Walker's own goal remained the difference as the two teams headed down the tunnel.

The second half continued much in the same vein as the first one ended, both teams continued to try and hold possession in the middle of the pitch, with potential moves breaking down long before they reached the oppositions area

The Red Devils new number seven Depay long shot was the closest we saw to an opportunity, however the Dutchman's effort sailed harmlessly over the bar

World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger took to the stage amidst a flurry of substitutions, replacing Michael Carrick

Schweinsteiger soon took control, dictating the play of his team mates with a point of the finger

The ex-Bayern captain is Manchester United's first German player to make it to the first team

It was Schweinsteiger who initiated United best opportunity of the half, spraying a 40-yard pass to Rooney, who's eventual cross reached Young, forcing a good stop from the blind sided Vorm as his shot travels through a sea of legs.

Tottenham's final five minutes mirrored their first, creating a flurry of opportunities

However, United's new shot stopper produced several impressive stops to secure the three points

Whilst this United team did not live up to the promise and hype pre kick off, Louis Van Gaal will be happy with the structured efficiency of his side which has seen his team start this campaign far better the season before

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Source: DSG