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Tottenham player ratings v Manchester United: Wanyama dominates the midfield

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on May 14, 2017 in London, England. Tottenham Hotspur are playing their last ever home match at White Hart Lane after their 112 year stay at the stadium. Spurs will play at Wembley Stadium next season with a move to a newly built stadium for the 2018-19 campaign. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on May 14, 2017 in London, England. Tottenham Hotspur are playing their last ever home match at White Hart Lane after their 112 year stay at the stadium. Spurs will play at Wembley Stadium next season with a move to a newly built stadium for the 2018-19 campaign. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United in action with Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on May 14, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United in action with Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on May 14, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /

Victor Wanyama-9

Even if Wanyama hadn’t scored Tottenham’s opening goal, he would have been the Man of the Match. He was outstanding on the afternoon. His physical presence impeded United every time they considered mounting a sustained attack.

Interestingly, Wanyama’s offensive game has gotten better and better as the season’s progressed. I wasn’t surprised in the least to see him blast the ball into the back of the net. It’s as if he’s gotten more comfortable with Pochettino’s tactics and now feels as if he can seize his chances to run forward.

This is a significant long-term development for Spurs. It makes Wanyama just as dangerous moving forward as Eric Dier and Moussa Dembele. It just makes the club’s attack infinitely more dangerous.

Eric Dier-8

It hasn’t been a great season for Dier, but he’s played better lately. It’s no coincidence that his improved play coincides with his ability to play in his preferred position in the defensive midfield.

I suspect his activity in the middle of the park made Manchester United fans really want Mourinho to up his bid for the English midfielder. In particular, his defensive play would really help the Red Devils. As it stands, he’s still a Spur though. He wasn’t quite as good as Wanyama on the day, but he was easily one of his club’s top performers.

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