Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes score for United while Spurs captain Christian Romero see red for a wild challenge.
Published On 7 Feb 2026
Manchester United profited from Tottenham captain Cristian Romero’s red card to stretch their perfect start under Michael Carrick to four games with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes on Saturday ended an eight-game winless run against Spurs for the Red Devils, who cemented their position in the Premier League’s top four.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
United close to within two points of third-placed Aston Villa and open up a five-point cushion over Liverpool in sixth.
A place in the top five is likely to secure a place in next season’s Champions League due to the strong performance of English sides in European competition.
Spurs’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through their league position have long since disappeared as another damaging defeat for Thomas Frank leaves Tottenham in 14th.
But there could be lasting consequences for Romero after his ill-discipline cost his side just days after a social media outburst aimed at the club’s hierarchy.
Frank said the Argentinian international had been “dealt with internally” after he described Tottenham’s threadbare squad as “disgraceful” following the closure of the transfer window.
Romero’s future as skipper had already been called into question and the 27-year-old will now be suspended for four matches after his second red card of the season and sixth of his Spurs career.
The centre-back lunged in to catch Casemiro on the ankle on 29 minutes after playing himself into trouble just outside the Tottenham box.
United had been the better side during the opening half hour even against 11 men and made their numerical advantage count.
Mbeumo stroked into the bottom corner for his third goal in four games since Carrick took charge after a clever corner involving Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo freed the Cameroon international at the edge of the box.
Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha had goals ruled out for offside as the home side dominated but had to wait until nine minutes from time to make the points safe.
Fernandes showed Romero how to lead from the front with another fine individual display.
The United captain prodded in Diogo Dalot’s cross at the back post for his 200th goal or assist in 314 games for the club.
Carrick said before the game that United cannot afford to rush their choice of a new permanent manager.
But the former midfielder, who enjoyed a stellar playing career at Old Trafford, is making his case for that job as he continues overseeing United’s stunning turnaround in fortunes since the departure of Ruben Amorim last month.
Fernandes had plenty of praise for Carrick in a post-match interview with TNT Sports.
“Michael has won everything here. He knows what it what it means for these fans, what it means for the club to win, and how much is needed to win in this football club,” United’s skipper said.
“So I think that’s something special to the team.”
Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario told TNT Sports that Romero had apologised to his teammates for getting sent off.
“Yeah, of course, he’s disappointed, because he knows that this card could have been avoidable, and so he apologised, our captain today,” he said.
“He made his mistake but we know the player he is and he’ll be back for sure, stronger, and he’s going to help us massively.”