If we work on the basis that this tactical analysis was on point and that the Portuguese set up against Manchester United based upon the capacity of the players at his disposal. Harry Kane was understandably nowhere near match fitness, after a six-month-long absence, which left Spurs (not for the first time) without a designated striker.
What grated with a good few fans was the business of Spurs sitting so deep. Which is a fair enough gripe, but perhaps not on this occasion given that Kane was functioning at perhaps 30%, and that we were also lacking any assertiveness in midfield.
Had Mourinho embarked upon a more attacking strategy, then Manchester United would have had free rein when they regained possession. Don’t believe me or are just confused? Then let’s pull out the influence graphs again.
What midfield? Winks, Sissoko only contained United because they obeyed their instructions. As frustrating as it may have been to watch, you have to remember that football is war, not a chick flick. You may not be guaranteed a pretty plot and a happy ending.
You build a team from the back, but without a solid midfield, you are horribly exposed.
Here’s Manchester United’s influence graphic. Looking at that, does it make sense for Spurs to have spent much time out of their own half? Or is your desire to be entertained more important? Please…
In light of this information, Tottenham’s pursuit of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg makes a HUGE amount of sense for José Mourinho in his pursuit of stabilizing the current Spurs squad.
“Southampton see him as a player they have to sell in this market,” Castles said on the Transfer Window podcast. “They, I’m told, have three offers so far for the player, none of them are satisfactory, one extremely low at a financial level, and they have an offer of cash plus players in exchange, which I understand has come from Tottenham Hotspur.
This is not a deal Levy can allow to just fizzle out, or we will be watching many more games that don’t entertain you.