Manchester United kept their strong run going under interim boss Michael Carrick, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the Premier League on February 7, 2026. In front of a full Old Trafford, played the day after the 68th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, United made it four straight league wins. Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes got the goals, and Spurs were hurt badly by an early red card for captain Cristian Romero.
The result keeps United inside the top four and just three points off second-place Manchester City, a big sign of progress after a rough stretch earlier in the season. Tottenham, now led by Thomas Frank, stayed winless in the Premier League in 2026 and sits 14th after another frustrating night.
Romero Sent Off and the Match Swings
The key moment came in the 29th minute when Cristian Romero saw a straight red for a dangerous challenge on Casemiro. The tackle was high and reckless, and the referee had little choice but to send him off. That left Tottenham with 10 men for over an hour, and United took control from there.
Before the dismissal, both teams had chances, but United looked sharper in the final third. Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario made several important stops to keep it level early on.
Mbeumo Strikes from a Smart Corner Routine
United made the extra man count in the 38th minute with a set-piece goal. From a corner, Bruno Fernandes played a low pass toward Kobbie Mainoo at the near post. Mainoo helped it on with a quick flick, and the ball ran to Bryan Mbeumo in space near the penalty spot. Mbeumo stayed calm and swept a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner.
It was Mbeumo’s ninth goal of the season, and it matched United’s pressure. The crowd lifted even more, and Tottenham struggled to put together any real threat before halftime.
United Stay on Top, Fernandes Finishes It
United controlled the second half, keeping the ball and pushing Tottenham back. Amad Diallo and others saw attempts chalked off for offside or tight calls, but the home side didn’t lose their rhythm. Tottenham tried to change the game with substitutions, including bringing on Mathys Tel, yet they rarely got close to the United goal.
The second goal arrived in the 81st minute. Diogo Dalot sent in a sharp cross from the right, and Bruno Fernandes ghosted in at the back post. He finished first time, guiding it past Vicario to make it 2-0. Fernandes capped a standout performancetoo match his influence.
At the other end, United stayed solid. Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire led a calm back line that limited Spurs to very little. When the final whistle went, Old Trafford celebrated another confident win under Carrick.
Match Highlights
- 29′: Cristian Romero is sent off for a reckless challenge on Casemiro.
- 38′: Bryan Mbeumo scores from a set-piece move to make it 1-0.
- Second half: United control the ball, with a few efforts ruled out for offside.
- 81′: Bruno Fernandes makes it 2-0, finishing at the back post from Dalot’s cross.
- Tottenham didn’t manage a shot on target after going down to 10 men.
United’s sharp set pieces and smart game management stood out, while Tottenham’s discipline and lack of attack were hard to ignore.
Manchester United Team Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Possession | 62% |
| Shots | 18 |
| Shots on Target | 7 |
| Corners | 9 |
| Fouls | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 (Amad 45′) |
| Red Cards | 0 |
| Pass Accuracy | 88% |
United’s edge in possession and chances showed how much they controlled the match, especially after the red card.
Tottenham Hotspur Team Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Possession | 38% |
| Shots | 6 |
| Shots on Target | 1 |
| Corners | 3 |
| Fouls | 14 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 |
| Red Cards | 1 (Romero 29′) |
| Pass Accuracy | 79% |
Tottenham’s numbers tell the story of a tough night after Romero’s dismissal, with limited threat and too much defending to do.
Carrick praised his side’s focus after the match and pointed to their discipline once they went ahead. Frank, on the other hand, faced more pressure as Tottenham’s form and organization continue to raise concerns.
For Manchester United, the win adds belief going into the next run of fixtures. For Tottenham, it’s another reminder that results won’t change until the mistakes do.
