Tottenham 4-3 Man United PLAYER RATINGS: Which big-money flop was PATHETIC? Who showed composure far beyond his years for Spurs? And which United defender was all at sea?

Ange Postecoglou moved one step closer to his ambition of ending Tottenham‘s trophy drought with a dramatic EFL Cup quarter-final win over Man United.

With Marcus Rashford once again left out for the visitors, United travelled down to north London on Thursday looking to build on their momentum in the competition.

Ultimately though individual errors would prove costly for Ruben Amorim‘s side, with Dominic Solanke capitalising on a poor parry from Altay Bayindir to give his side the lead.

Spurs were not immune from mistakes however, despite racing out of the traps with a pair of goals early in the second half, as two errors from Fraser Forster gave United hopes of a comeback.

But which big-money flop was pathetic? Who showed composure far beyond his years for Spurs? And which United defender was all at sea? 

Mail Sport’s JAMES SHARPE was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to give his expert analysis on both teams.

Tottenham 4-2-3-1

Fraser Forster – 4.5

Oh dear. Had nothing to do for most of the game then dallied for too long on the ball to gift United a second goal – and hope. 

Pedro Porro – 7 

Got a piece of Ange’s mind after the Rangers game and was benched against Saints but was impressive here, his swerving shot forcing the parried save from the United keeper for Tottenham’s opener.

Radu Dragusin – 7 

Tottenham’s only fit centre back is built like a viking and defends like one too. Strong, physical, headed everything away and easily wrestled Hojlund off the ball whenever danger lurked.

Archie Gray – 7.5 

The 18-year-old has played in every position across the back line this season, as well as in midfield, and you can see why. Composure on the ball far beyond his years.

Fraser Forster gifted United two goals to allow them back into the game in the second half

Full back Djed Spence has been impressive since he broke into the team two games ago

Djed Spence – 7.5

Waited two-and-a-half years for his first start at Southampton, nailed that, and backed it up again here. Had Mazraoui on toast all game and played a superb ball to Solanke for the third.

Pape Matar Sarr – 6.5 

The weaker of Spurs’ midfield pivot. Created a couple of chances but was booked for a foul on Fernandes as United looked to break against Tottenham’s high line.

Yves Bissouma – 8 

A dynamic performance from the Spurs midfielder. An excellent block to deny Eriksen an equaliser, made five tackles and created two chances in the first half alone.

Dejan Kulusevski – 8 

Four goals in his four games after Maddison’s blocked cross dropped to him 47 second after the restart. Forced a smart save from Bayindir in the first half too. Looked dangerous every time he got the ball.

Yves Bissouma put in a dynamic performance in midfield, blocking five efforts and creating two for his own side

Dejan Kulusevski netted again here and now has four goals in four games for Tottenham

James Maddison is brimming with confidence and is strutting around with his classic swagger

James Maddison – 7

Brimming with confidence after his brace against Saints and strolled around with that classic Madders swagger. His cross forced the fluffed clearance for Kulusevski’s goal.

Heung-min Son – 7.5

A real collector’s item for the Spurs skipper as he curled in Tottenham’s fourth straight from a corner. Had played in Maddison in the build-up to the second too. 

Dominic Solanke – 9 

Reacted quickest to pounce on Porro’s parried shot to put Tottenham ahead and then left Martinez for dead for his second. Always puts in a shift, easy to see why Ange loves him.

SUBS

Bergvall (for Maddison, 79min) 6

Johnson (for Solanke, 90min) N/A

Reguilon (for Spence, 91min) N/A

MANAGER: Ange Postecoglou – 6.5

Put out a strong side but should have made earlier subs when United started to make a comeback.

Manchester United 3-4-2-1

Altay Bayindir – 4.5

Palmed Porro’s swerving shot straight to Solanke and then flapped at Son’s corner and watched it sail over his head. 

Leny Yoro – 6 

The 19-year-old was probably the pick of the United back line but, let’s be honest, that’s not saying much. Made a few decent tackles but nothing more.

Victor Lindelof – 5.5 

Blighted with injury throughout his United career and left the field in tears after another one. Headed straight down the tunnel.

Altay Bayindir was at fault for two of Tottenham’s goals as he disappointed with his chance

Leny Yoro was the pick of the United back line in the capital, but that is not saying much

Lisandro Martinez – 5 

Sensational in United’s win in the Manchester derby but all at sea here. Fluffed clearance dropped to Kulusevski for the second and then got dominated by Solanke for the third.

Noussair Mazraoui – 5.5 

Doesn’t look like a wing back, Spence was far too quick for him most of the night and fittingly got booked for bringing him down.

Christian Eriksen – 6

Went close in the first half with a blocked and fizzed a free-kick on to the roof of the net but not enough to make his mark on the game.

Manuel Ugarte – 6.5

A fine line between being a physical presence and clumsy oaf and too often he fell the wrong side of the line with two bumbling fouls on Maddison but did well to block a dangerous Kulusevski cross and made a ton of tackles. 6.5

Diogo Dalot – 6.5

United’s most natural wing-back and looks like he’ll thrive with the extra attacking responsibilities under Amorim. Always got forward and created frequent chances.

Antony was repeatedly shrugged off the ball with ease – Marcus Rashford can’t be this bad

There was a lot of arm waving from Bruno Fernandes and he was eventually booked late on

Antony – 4.5 

An early Bissouma cruncher set the marker. Robbed of the ball three times, always shrugged off it with ease. A pathetic attempt at a tackle on Spence. What does he offer? Rashford can’t be this bad, surely.

Bruno Fernandes – 5.5

Lots of arm-waving and over-reacting, as per, which finally got him booked by the referee for complaining about Tottenham’s fourth for a foul on the keeper that never was. 

Rasmus Hojlund – 5 

Barely had a sniff. Couldn’t get on the end of Fernandes’ good cross, got outmuscled by Dragusin and snatched at the attempts he did have.

SUBS

Jonny Evans (for Lindelof, 45min) 6

Amad (for Antony, 55min) 7

Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 56min) 7

Mainoo (for Eriksen, 56) 6

Garnacho (for Ugarte, 71min) 6

Not used: Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro,

MANAGER: Ruben Amorim – 6.5 

Ruthless again in leaving Rashford out again but made too many changes and game only changed after the subs.