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| Louis van Gaal needs to add more quality in the team |
IT was a low-key birthday bash for Louis van Gaal, who must have feared at times that a spirited Spurs were going to blow out his anniversary candles.
You trust the ordering of a celebration bottle of wine would have been a less stressful task than overseeing a sporadic opening-day display which at least yielded three points, unlike 12 months ago.
Then a defeat against Swansea City indicated that the Dutchman, who had conquered all back home in Holland, in Spain and in Germany, wasn’t going to enjoy such an easy ride in the Premier League.
It was a nervy affair to coincide with turning 64. ‘Will you still need me? Will you still feed me when I’m 64?’ sang The Beatles.
Only if you challenge for the title, will be Manchester United’s response.
United certainly didn’t appear the finished article and clearly there is still some transfer window business to be done before Van Gaal can rest more easily.
Spurs, ridiculously, had wanted this game moved back 24 hours to accommodate two eve-of-season friendlies in Germany. Yet they looked up for the task and with more sharpness in front of goal would have come away with some reward.
United have to sort out ‘keeper gate’, introduce a commanding central defender and ease the burden on Wayne Rooney.
David de Gea, involved in a Real Madrid impasse, sat in the stand as his replacement, Sergio Romero, distinguished himself with two late saves from a Harry Kane header and a Christian Eriksen drive.
Rooney, happy to head for the corner flag in added time instead of breaking towards goal, illustrated the tension which had gripped his side and their supporters.
Earlier, Rooney had clearly seen enough of United’s powder-puff start to the new season, his cheeks turning bright crimson as he yelled and gesticulated wildly at team-mates.
Spurs had once again eased their way towards Romero’s goal without any substantial challenges and the captain was furious. United’s early lethargy was in danger of piercing the pre-season optimism but Rooney, especially now that he has been restored to his favoured main striker’s role, was having none of that.
Within 60 seconds the wake up call had been heeded as United, with a touch of fortune, nudged themselves into an undeserved lead.
Juan Mata accepted a loose ball from Nabil Bentaleb, brought new boy Memphis Depay into play and when the Dutchman’s quick pass found Ashley Young in unfamiliar territory down the right Spurs were in trouble.
Pulled out of position Spurs had left Rooney alone, lurking with intent on the penalty spot. Before the England man could apply the vital touch, Kyle Walker, in attempting to rescue a desperate situation, could only prod past his keeper Michel Vorm.
Delight for Rooney despite not even being able to stake a claim to the dubious goals committee, a goal which would have brought him level with Denis Law’s Old Trafford league haul of 171 to place him third in the all-time list.
It had been tough on Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who should have gone ahead after five minutes when Kane brilliantly set up Eriksen only for the Dane to chip onto the roof of the net with Romero fearing the worst.
It was little wonder that thunderous applause from United fans greeted Bastian Schweinsteiger’s appearance on the touchline as he warmed up in the second half.
It did appear, though. that the German World Cup winner had enjoyed an excess of sauerkraut during the summer. His eventual entry was followed by a first yellow card after a clumsy, studded challenge on Nacer Chadli.
But, without doubt, a hopefully slimmed-down Schweinsteiger will provide more steel and nous in the United engine room.
Spurs provided the greater fluidity, with Eriksen pulling the strings, and manager Pochettino said: “We played the better football, had some chances and I’m pleased with the performance, but a mistake cost us.”
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