Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou chaos can benefit Manchester United

As the full-time whistle ended a thrilling contest on the south coast, the window of opportunity creaked open for Manchester United.

A few short weeks ago Spurs were flying high at the top of the league and Ange Postecoglou was flavour of the month. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s future came under scrutiny and United were lurching from one crisis and poor performance to another with the Dutchman struggling to repeat last season’s heroics.

Postecoglou even fired a subtle dig at Ten Hag when grilled by the media about his unwavering style of play. He said: "In the broad church of football philosophies, I have stayed really strict to one religion. I went into a library of football books and got stuck on one section that was about attacking football.

ALSO READ: 'I would love': Man City coach Pep Guardiola gives Kevin De Bruyne injury update

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola sent World Champion reminder to shocked Man City players at half-time vs Everton

"It's the only space I feel comfortable in. If you asked me to set up a team to get a point by playing defensive football I could probably do it but I wouldn't have anywhere near the conviction as if you asked me to try and win 3-0.

"I actually understand what people are saying about that night [against Chelsea]. If I was on the outside I would be saying the same thing. But this is the test for me, isn't it? The number of times I hear managers saying: "I would like to play this way but I don't have the players. I just think: 'Just do it mate…"

Fast forward to the present and Tottenham’s hectic style has played into United’s hands. The mentality of attack, attack, attack was never going to be sustainable, with Spurs now fifth in the table.

Tottenham’s gung-ho style proved their downfall