Erik ten Hag subs sent Manchester United a transfer reminder during Tottenham match

A tale of two halves

At half-time, this looked like a case of how many for Manchester United? They had dominated the game, created chances and defended resolutely. What on earth happened?

This was a disaster of a second half. It was a woeful collapse against a team whose confidence was shredded. Newcastle stripped the belief from Tottenham a week ago and now it was time for United to finish the job, but they dithered and lost ground in the race for third.

United started the second half badly and never recovered. It was sloppy, it was slow and it was half-hearted at times. Pedro Porro's goal gave Tottenham some of their belief back and they should have been level before Son-Heung Min scored.

READ MORE: United player ratings vs Tottenham

They couldn't keep the ball and were overwhelmed by the desire of the hosts. The equaliser summed up so many of the problems. As United cleared their lines, Tyrell Malacia sauntered too far up the pitch, leaving Harry Kane in space behind him. You usually get punished when that happens.

This should have been a statement away win for a side who haven't always convinced on the road this season. Instead, it was another dent to their own confidence on their travels. Fulham remain the only team in the top 12 that they've beaten this season and even that came in the 93rd minute. They have to improve on that record.

Next week it is a tricky trip to Brighton. Nobody of a United persuasion will head to the Amex with too much confidence of landing what would be their biggest away win of the season.

The subs don't work

Erik ten Hag turned to his bench in waves at Tottenham but what the two double substitutions had in common was that they made United worse.

The first call to take off a lively