Man Utd 2-0 Spurs
Giggs: 44, 67
Half-Time: 1-0
Att: 55,281
Ref: P E Alcock (Redhill)
The outstanding Ryan Giggs was on hand to score two cracking goals, one in each half, against a Tottenham side featuring German star Jurgen Klinsmann, and new Italian signing Nicola Berti, both of whom were non-existent.
In a game that was not pretty to watch, but saw United win their ninth match in ten games, hot-shot Andy Cole brought out a great save from Espen Baardsen, deputising for the injured Ian Walker in the Spurs goal after just two minutes, but apart from the goals the game failed to materialise.
Passes went astray more often than not as the first half brought about very few chances, despite the lively Andy Cole causing all sorts of problems in the Spurs defence.
The only salvation came about in glamour boy David Beckham, when his looping cross was dropped by Baardsen under pressure from Teddy Sheringham and Giggs was on hand to drive in from 16 yards.
Most teams would have been happy to have gone in at half-time leading, but Alex Ferguson must have been furious with the performance, from a team probably suffering with lethargy after the 5-3 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup. However, Spurs seemed to have responded under the guidance of Christian Gross, seeking to prize the North Londoers' away from the relegation zone.
The second half saw a Teddy Sheringham's 20-yard shot saved by Baardsen, but it was Beckham and Giggs who gave United some breathing space for United's second. Beckham's cross from the right in the 67th minute was met by Giggs who slotted in a rare headed goal - his sixth strike of the season.
In truth, it was a stroll after that for a United side superior in every department. Spurs boss Gross, can at least take solace in the fact that his side's passion and commitment, so fragile this season, could not be faulted. Nicola Berti, the former Italian international signed by Spurs on a free transfer from Inter Milan in midweek, fared little better.
The midfield man blasted one shot over the bar in the 82nd minute but apart from that was virtually anonymous on a disappointing debut. In the end it was a match which did not really tell us anything new. United are marching to the title and Spurs will struggle to stay in the Premiership.
Manchester United:
Schmeichel, Neville, Irwin, Johnsen, Pallister, Beckham, Cole, Sheringham, Giggs, Scholes, Solskjaer.
Subs Not Used: Butt, McClair, Berg, Clegg, Pilkington.
Tottenham Hotspurs:
Baardsen, Calderwood, Fox (Brady 77), Carr, Vega, Wilson, Domingues, Campbell, Clemence (Sinton 54), Klinsmann, Berti.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Mabbutt, Mahorn.
Booked: Klinsmann
Go to Fixture.