Brian Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes scored for United, while Spurs captain Christian Romero was red for a rough challenge.
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Manchester United benefited from Tottenham captain Cristian Romero’s red card with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford in the Premier League, extending their perfect start under manager Michael Carrick to four games.
Goals from Brian Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes on Saturday ended the Red Devils’ eight-game winless run against Spurs and cemented their place in the Premier League’s top four.
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United are now within two points of third-placed Aston Villa and have extended their lead over sixth-placed Liverpool to five points.
With England’s team performing well in European competitions, a top-five finish will likely secure them a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Spurs’ hopes of climbing the league table and qualifying for the Champions League are long gone, with another injury to Thomas Frank leaving Tottenham in 14th place.
But days after a social media outburst aimed at the club’s hierarchy, Romero’s indiscipline has taken a toll on the team, and there could be a lasting impact on Romero.
Frank said it had been “addressed internally” after the Argentine international described Tottenham’s poor team as “disgraceful” after the transfer window closed.
Romero’s future as captain is already in doubt, with the 27-year-old suspended for four games after receiving his second red card of the season and sixth of his Spurs career.
The centre-back found himself in a pinch in front of Tottenham’s box in the 29th minute, before darting out to catch Casemiro’s ankle.
In the first 30 minutes, United had the upper hand even with 11 men and had a numerical advantage.
Mbeumo connected Fernandes and Koby Mainou with a deft corner kick, freeing the Cameroon international on the edge of the box and firing his third goal in four games under Carrick into the bottom corner.
Goals from Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha were ruled out for offside as the home side had the upper hand, but they had to wait until nine minutes left before the points were safe.
Fernandes showed Romero how to lead from the front with another brilliant individual play.
The United captain curled in Diogo Dalot’s cross at the back post for his 200th goal or assist in 314 games for the club.
Carrick said before the match that United could not rush into choosing a new permanent manager.
But the former midfielder, who enjoyed a glittering playing career at Old Trafford, is insistent on taking the job, having continued to oversee United’s remarkable turnaround in fortunes since Ruben Amorim left last month.
Fernandes was full of praise for Carrick in his post-match interview with TNT Sports.
“The energy is different because we are winning games and when you win games everything gets brighter,” Fernandez said.
“Michael came in with the right idea of giving the players more responsibility and freedom to make decisions on the pitch. I was always convinced that Michael could be a great manager and he is showing that.”
Meanwhile, it was Frank and his side’s second Premier League win in 16 seasons.
“I think it was a good performance away for the first 30 minutes,” Frank told TNT Sports after the game.
“I’m very proud of the players, their resilience, their staying in the game, their mentality to continue to be a threat at times, their willingness to create something. I’m very proud of them.”
Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario told TNT Sports that Romero had apologized to his teammates for the red card.
“Yeah, of course he’s disappointed. He knew this card could have been avoided, so he apologized,” he said.
“He made a mistake, but we know what kind of player he is. He will definitely come back stronger and help us a lot.”
