The unfortunate saga of Thomas Frank serves as a poignant reminder of what could have been, especially as Bryan Mbeumo capitalizes on Tottenham's missteps.
Thomas Frank, the head coach of Brentford, has much to reflect upon. Under his guidance, Bryan Mbeumo showcased his scoring prowess by netting 20 goals in the Premier League last season. When Frank took the managerial role at Tottenham, he had hoped to entice Mbeumo to join him in North London.
Instead, Mbeumo made the decision to transfer to Manchester United, and predictably, he, along with fellow teammate Bruno Fernandes, was instrumental in their team’s 2-0 win over Spurs. This season, Mbeumo has proven to be a thorn in Tottenham's side, finding the back of the net in both home and away matches against them.
In addition, Spurs had shown interest in acquiring Eberechi Eze, who ultimately ended up at Arsenal and went on to score a hat-trick against Tottenham. This narrative seems to encapsulate Frank’s tenure at Spurs—a tale colored by missed opportunities and what might have been. The defeat was exacerbated by the early dismissal of Cristian Romero, Spurs’ captain, who received a red card for a dangerous tackle on Casemiro. Critics of Frank might paint him as unlucky, but one can't help but notice the persistent challenges he faces.
Meanwhile, Michael Carrick appears to be thriving in his new role as manager. Unlike Ruben Amorim, who never managed to secure four consecutive victories during his time at United, Carrick achieved this milestone within just four games. Although Tottenham's loss of a player undoubtedly eased United’s path to victory, Carrick’s team displayed a refreshing sense of positivity that was often lacking under Amorim. "I believe Michael has the potential to be an exceptional manager, and he's proving it," expressed Fernandes, the captain of United. Last season, United suffered four defeats against Tottenham, but under Carrick, they managed to turn the tables.
Carrick, however, humbly dismissed any notions that he possesses a magical touch. Mbeumo’s goal resulted from a meticulously executed corner kick routine, one that was crafted by club analyst Kaita Hasegawa and Jonny Evans, who, although he didn’t play, contributed from the sidelines.
The tension on the sidelines turned towards Frank as he watched Romero's reckless challenge unfold. Romero’s dismissal came after the referee, Michael Oliver, deemed his tackle excessively forceful and a danger to his opponent. Frank noted, "He clearly aimed for the ball. Unfortunately, due to the rules, it results in a red card. He feels remorse for his actions and apologized to his teammates afterward."
Immediately following the red card, Frank was forced to adapt his strategy, pulling winger Wilson Odobert to introduce defender Radu Dragusin into the game. This change stripped some of Spurs' attacking momentum, leaving them short-handed as they sought to level the score.
It’s worth mentioning that Frank initially opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, placing Joao Palhinha in midfield, which indicated a bold approach. "The first thirty minutes showcased a commendable away performance," Frank remarked. However, the dynamics shifted dramatically once Romero was sent off. United seized this opportunity, showcasing high-paced, creative football that led to a staggering count of 13 long-range attempts.
In contrast to Amorim’s United, who struggled against Everton when they were down to ten men, Carrick’s squad quickly capitalized on Tottenham's disadvantage, partly thanks to Evans’ contributions. The goal from Fernandes came from a corner that was cleverly played along the byline to Kobbie Mainoo, who then set it up for Evans to score—marking his third goal in four matches under Carrick. Though Carrick maintained an unchanged lineup, he swapped Matheus Cunha for Mbeumo in the central role, allowing the former Brentford star to exploit his pace on the left wing right from the kickoff, threatening the opposition almost immediately.
In a twist of irony, just as Spurs made a triple substitution, United found the net again, with Fernandes nudging in a shot from Diogo Dalot’s deep cross. "Bruno consistently finds himself in pivotal moments and greatly influences the game," Carrick commented.
United could have extended their lead earlier, but they faced stiff resistance. "I am incredibly proud of my players for their resilience," Frank stated. "It's easy to fall apart in such situations." Despite facing adversity, Spurs held strong, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario making several crucial saves against attempts from Casemiro, Luke Shaw, Dalot, Amad Diallo, and substitute Benjamin Sesko. Carrick has granted his players the freedom to attempt shots from distance, which nearly paid off, with Casemiro playing a pivotal role in orchestrating their attacks.
This match marked a stark contrast to the dullness of the Europa League final, albeit not fully compensating for it. Both teams now find themselves fourth in the Premier League and Champions League, respectively, and it's becoming increasingly reasonable for United to assert that their position is legitimate. On the other hand, Tottenham may find themselves languishing at 15th in the Premier League standings come Sunday afternoon, having not secured a win in seven top-flight encounters and only managing two victories in their last sixteen matches. "We must confront the reality that we haven’t won enough in the Premier League," Frank admitted. "Yet, the only option is to persist, and that is exactly what we will do."
So, what do you think? Has Frank's luck finally run out, or is there still hope for his managerial career? Share your thoughts below!
