This was Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United realised

The first realisation of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United came on Wednesday night at Old Trafford.

His players worked in whirring synchronicity to totally dominate Tottenham Hotspur and hint at the potential to come.

United defended and attacked as a collective, pushing up at the back, pressing high at the front, and thriving off the atmosphere in the crowd. Each major moment on the pitch triggered a piercing response in the stands and that energy seemed to travel as if by osmosis to the leg muscles of Ten Hag’s team.

In the 91st minute, Luke Shaw bulldozed into a 50-50 challenge with Lucas Moura, won the ball, and dribbled up the touchline. Moura had come on nine minutes earlier but looked the more fatigued of the two men.

Antonio Conte has overseen Spurs’ best-ever start to a Premier League season but United’s performance last night drained their purpose. “We have to be honest; United decided to win,” said Conte rather neatly.

United seized their role as protagonists.

Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham: Player statistics, formations, xG

“I said to the lads in the dressing room, it was so enjoyable to watch it,” Ten Hag said.