Manchester United extended a flawless run under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, beating 10-man Tottenham 2-0 at Old Trafford and closing the gap on Manchester City. Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo supplied the goals, while Cristian Romero’s early dismissal left Spurs facing an uphill task in a match that deepened concern around their league position.
The result moved Manchester United to within three points of second-placed Manchester City, who travel to Liverpool on Sunday. Tottenham’s defeat could prove costly, as West Ham’s meeting with Burnley means Spurs may finish Saturday only six points above the relegation zone, adding extra pressure on a squad already short on confidence.
The game’s key flashpoint arrived in the 29th minute, when
Spurs captain Cristian Romero received a straight red card. Romero went into a challenge with his studs raised and caught Casemiro’s ankle, giving the referee little option. Tottenham were already under pressure, and the dismissal forced a defensive reshuffle that allowed Manchester United to control territory.
Before the sending-off, Manchester United had threatened through Casemiro and Matheus Cunha, who both went close during an assertive opening spell. Tottenham struggled to create clear opportunities of their own. Manchester United’s midfield pressed aggressively, kept Spurs deep, and pinned the visitors back inside their half for long periods even before Romero left the pitch.
Manchester United took advantage of the extra player with a well-worked corner routine in the 38th minute. Bruno Fernandes delivered the set piece short down the byline to Kobbie Mainoo. Mainoo laid the ball back towards the edge of the area, where Bryan Mbeumo arrived unmarked and guided a composed first-time finish beyond Guglielmo Vicario.
Guglielmo Vicario kept Tottenham in touch before the break by tipping Casemiro’s powerful header over the crossbar. After half-time, Manchester United believed they had increased their lead twice, but efforts from Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha were ruled out for offside. Both incidents underlined Tottenham’s defensive problems and Manchester United’s control of attacking spaces.
Manchester United Premier League pressure sealed by late second goal
As Tottenham tired, Manchester United’s full-backs joined attacks with greater freedom, testing Vicario from distance. Luke Shaw drilled one long-range strike that the goalkeeper pushed aside, while Diogo Dalot forced another sharp save. These chances showed Tottenham’s difficulty closing shooters down on the edge of the box with a player fewer.
The decisive second goal arrived in the 81st minute from another cross into the area. Diogo Dalot swung a searching ball towards substitute Benjamin Sesko, who only just failed to connect. The loose ball reached Bruno Fernandes at the far post, and the captain reacted quickly, steering a first-time finish across Vicario and inside the far corner.
200Games taken to reach 200 goal involvements for Man Utd in the Premier League era: 295Wayne Rooney (133G, 67A) 314Bruno Fernandes (104G, 96A) 339Cristiano Ronaldo (144G, 56A) 393David Beckham (85G, 115A) 424Ryan Giggs (90G, 111A) 564Paul Scholes (138G, pic.twitter.com/vjX3JxaBJsOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 7, 2026
Benjamin Sesko almost added further gloss in stoppage time, meeting a cross with a close-range header that went straight at Vicario. Manchester United were rarely threatened at the other end, with Tottenham limited to occasional breaks. The home side managed the closing stages calmly, protecting the clean sheet and ensuring Spurs could not mount any late response.
Manchester United Premier League streak and Fernandes milestone
Manchester United’s latest victory means the team have now won four Premier League matches in succession. It is the first time they have produced such a sequence since February 2024, when Erik ten Hag was in charge. Their current eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions, featuring five wins and three draws, is their longest since January and February 2022 under Ralf Rangnick.
Bruno Fernandes’ goal carried major historical significance for Manchester United. The strike took Fernandes to 200 goal involvements for the club in all competitions, comprising 104 goals and 96 assists, achieved in just 314 games. Within the Premier League era, only Wayne Rooney, who needed 295 matches, reached that benchmark for Manchester United in fewer appearances.
On the disciplinary side, Tottenham captain Cristian Romero reached an unwanted landmark. Romero became the first player to be sent off twice in this Premier League campaign. Since joining Spurs in 2021, Romero has been dismissed four times in the competition, more than any other player in that period and level with Younes Kaboul for the most red cards for Tottenham.
Manchester United’s win under Michael Carrick tightened the race near the top while leaving Tottenham glancing anxiously towards the lower reaches. The performance highlighted Manchester United’s growing stability, a ruthless display from Bruno Fernandes, and costly indiscipline from Cristian Romero, with both clubs now awaiting Sunday’s results to gauge the full impact on the table.
