Kyle Walker scored the first goal of the Premier League season at a sunny Old Trafford on Saturday after he had robbed England teammate Wayne Rooney of possession.
Unfortunately for the Tottenham Hotspur defender, his 22nd minute effort was into his own goal.
Manchester United’s priority was three points in their opening fixture but, as in so many matches last season, they looked like a team adjusting to the much-vaunted philosophy of manager Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman has overseen five signings in the close season and four were awarded debuts against Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
One, Sergio Romero, made a major contribution with two late saves to protect United’s lead.
The Argentina goalkeeper, signed on a free transfer two weeks ago, started ahead of substitute goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, while fellow stoppers David de Gea, Victor Valdes and Anders Lindegaard sat together in the directors’ box.
A fifth signing, Bastian Schweinsteiger, sat nearby on the bench until he replaced Michael Carrick to raptures on 60 minutes. The Germany captain is United’s first German first teamer.
By that time, United were ahead – though they scarcely deserved their lead given their mediocre opening to the game.
Tottenham were superior in the opening exchanges, provoking anxiety in the 75,261 crowd for all but the 3,000 visiting fans.
First chance came after just four minutes when the balletic Christian Eriksen controlled a looping ball over United’s defence from Harry Kane that the Dane volleyed over the cross bar.
United lost at home on the opening day last season to Swansea City, but Tottenham, defeated 3-0 in the equivalent fixture last term en route to a sixth-place finish, boasted superior movement from their front three of Kane, Mousa Dembele and Eriksen. They were dominant in possession until going behind.
United’s first threatening attacking move led to the goal via a counter attack started by Juan Mata.
Ashley Young fed a cross to Rooney, starting his 12th season as a United player, who hesitated with an open net in front of him.
Walker used his pace to close on Rooney and nicked possession off the United captain. In doing so, he put the ball into his own goal.
United were buoyed and immediately more assertive.
New signing Memphis showed occasional nice touches behind Rooney, while Mata probed, yet Tottenham’s sloppy play was their greatest threat and allowed United to break. Not that they took advantage.
Goal chances were limited though United improved as the game went on.
The popular Ander Herrera replaced Memphis after a quiet debut.
Soon after, Erik Lamela replaced Mousa Dembele, one of four Belgian Tottenham players who have played in the Dutch league.
He joined a game waking from a slumber, with United’s fans finding their voices as Young threatened on the left, though both goalkeepers were largely untested.
United struggled for goals last season and looked short of pace in attack with their 4-2-3-1 formation. Van Gaal intends to add a forward before the transfer window closes, with Barcelona’s Pedro the favourite to arrive.
United’s players wore black armbands in memory of Neville Neville, a United fan and father of former defenders Gary and Phillip Neville, who died this week.
The 20-times English champions have lacked a regular right-back since Gary Neville retired but there are hopes that Matteo Darmian, signed from Torino last month, will fill that position.
The Italian international looked assured before he was replaced by Antonio Valencia 10 minutes from time as United protected their slender lead.
Romero then produced two vital saves in the final minutes, first when a Kane header was deflected by the impressive Chris Smalling, then, in the 88th minute, from Eriksen as Tottenham pushed for an equaliser.
When the referee indicated four minutes of added time, it was the noisy visiting fans who roared their team on.
It was to no avail, much to the frustration of their Argentine manager, who had seen a compatriot shine.
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @NatSportUAE