Manchester United needed the three points – Mourinho

“The goalkeeper wasn’t the man of the match – that was Mkhitaryan and he deserves that – but it could be him, too, and also the post”.

The United goalscorer put in a man-of-the-match performance but unfortunately didn’t see the whole game through after he was stretchered off with minutes to go after twisting his ankle following a foul by Danny Rose.

His injury is expected to keep him out of at least United’s next two games and Mkhitaryan admitted he needed to get used to the way of the Premier League.

Though the win leaves them six points behind Manchester City – who were humbled 4-2 at Leicester on Saturday – and a further seven behind league leaders Chelsea the momentum being created by the Red Devils bodes well as the packed holiday schedule approaches. “We played very well”.

Initial struggles following Mkhitaryan’s summer move from Borussia Dortmund have been forgotten in recent matches, with the 27-year-old flourishing when finally given the nod.

With the pace and quality from the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford out wide and Mkhitaryan’s probing runs behind Ibrahimovic, it all looks a better fit for United and so Mata could have a real fight on his hands. And the pace and quick-thinking he showed for his goal was something United has been lacking.

France midfielder Pogba left the Spurs crossbar shuddering with an arcing 25-yard free-kick and then stung Lloris’s palms with a crisp shot following a one-two with Herrera.

Progress to the EFL Cup semi-finals and Europa League knockout stages has been tempered by poor results in the Premier League, if promising displays.

£100 million signing Paul Pogba came close to scoring twice, denied in the first half by a brilliant Lloris save and once in the second by the upright when his brilliant free kick left the Spurs free kick stranded.

The result gave the Red Devils their first home victory in the league since September, while Spurs’ winless run on the road in all competitions now stretches to eight matches.

“Well, I think it was an even game, very competitive”, Pochettino said. We competed here, in a hard game.

United always look better with Carrick’s elegance in midfield and, defensively, it should not be overlooked Mourinho is having to make do without three-quarters of his first-choice back four.