Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult start to 2026 rolled on as they slipped to a comfortable 2-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, extending their wait for a league win.
The turning point came just before the half-hour mark when captain Cristian Romero was sent off following a reckless challenge on Casemiro. The dismissal handed the momentum firmly to United, who capitalised quickly through Bryan Mbeumo’s opener. From there, Spurs struggled to regain control, with the hosts dictating the tempo for much of the match. Bruno Fernandes eventually sealed the result late on, ensuring Michael Carrick maintained his perfect record as interim manager.
Romero’s red card has again put his reliability under scrutiny. The Argentine defender had already attracted attention during the week after an outspoken social media post criticising the club’s squad depth. His latest dismissal his second of the season leaves Tottenham without their captain for key upcoming fixtures against Newcastle, Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.
With Spurs already short of defensive options, the suspension could not come at a worse time. Manager Thomas Frank showed faith by starting Romero, but the decision backfired as the team paid the price.
For Tottenham, discipline and consistency remain major concerns as their struggles continue to mount.
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