Gea

Although Spurs hit the post with an attempt from Jermain Defoe after United's goalkeeper, David de Gea, had dealt poorly with a cross Sir Alex Ferguson's side led 2-0 by then.

Manchester United 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League match report 2011

Friedel – any sane person's nomination for the man of the match, ahead even of the startlingly impressive Danny Welbeck – had finished up on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat while De Gea could contemplate another victory earned despite his own callowness.

Tottenham's Brad Friedel is left naked but outshines David de Gea | Richard Williams 2011

There was no consolation for Tottenham but other clubs will have noted that De Gea, the 20-year-old newcomer, continues to have shaky moments, even if he could afford them on this occasion.

Manchester United 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League match report 2011

Five minutes later there was the hint of another embarrassment for De Gea when Rafael van der Vaart sensed that the Spaniard was about to dally on the ball and nipped in to stealit, only to trip his opponent as the goalkeeper stepped inside the Dutchman's lunge.

Tottenham's Brad Friedel is left naked but outshines David de Gea | Richard Williams 2011

Now De Gea was a virtual spectator as his team-mates surged forward, requiring Friedel to summon all his experience and solidity.

Tottenham's Brad Friedel is left naked but outshines David de Gea | Richard Williams 2011

In the other goalmouth David de Gea was still ruminating over his own contribution to the final minutes of the match, a missed catch that allowed Jermain Defoe to smack a volley against the woodwork followed by a fumble around the foot of the post from Tom Huddlestone's crashing 30-yarder.

Tottenham's Brad Friedel is left naked but outshines David de Gea | Richard Williams 2011

At 20, and making his home league debut last night, De Gea is the designated heir to Harry Gregg, Alex Stepney, Peter Schmeichel and Van der Sar and is under special scrutiny after making a hash of Edin Dzeko's 25-yard effort in the Community Shield and allowing Shane Long's shot to squirm under his body at The Hawthorns in his first Premier League match.

Tottenham's Brad Friedel is left naked but outshines David de Gea | Richard Williams 2011

If there was one criticism of Tottenham's performance, it was that they lacked presence in advanced positions and, without Peter Crouch, did not have anyone close enough to David de Gea to unnerve him when balls came into the penalty area.

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur: Five things we learned | Daniel Taylor 2011

Tame shots and easy saves were the routine for most of the remainder of the first period – Friedel from Young, De Gea first from a rare right-footed effort from Gareth Bale and then from Van der Vaart's half-hit drive from distance.

Tottenham's Brad Friedel is left naked but outshines David de Gea | Richard Williams 2011

De Gea's precise early clearance initiated a swift counterattack, the top of Ashley Young's head redirecting the ball to Wayne Rooney, who returned it for Young to play Welbeck into the Spurs penalty area.

Tottenham's Brad Friedel is left naked but outshines David de Gea | Richard Williams 2011