Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg says ‘we’ve not even started’ after Manchester United win

Tottenham Hotspur enforcer Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg warns rivals ‘we’ve not even started’ after he and his team mates humiliate Manchester United in record-equalling win at Old Trafford

  • Dominant midfielder insists Spurs are still ‘by far not where we want to be’
  • The Dane was ranked No 1 for a raft of performance match statistics on Sunday
  • He took 116 touches, completed 100 passes and regained possession six times
  • Former Southampton star has been described as a complete midfield ‘enforcer’ 

Tottenham Hotspur have not come close to reaching their potential despite their 6-1 demolition of Manchester United, according to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

The Danish enforcer was credited with seizing control of the midfield at Old Trafford, which created the platform for strikers Harry Kane and Son Heung-min to run riot.

United had no answer to Hojbjerg’s strength and power as he ranked number one for a raft of performance statistics, including touches, passes and possession gained.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg dominated the midfield in Spurs’  demolition of Manchester United

He even set up Serge Aurier for the fifth goal, arrowing a pass into the penalty area for the onrushing full back.

‘In the end the result is only three points like any other win, but I think mentally it is a good step and good proof that we are heading in the right direction,’ said Hojbjerg, who has started all four of Spurs’ Premier League fixtures this season after Jose Mourinho signed from Southampton for £15 million in August.

‘But we are by far not where we want to be. We are on the right way and we are working hard and most importantly we are working in the same direction and that is very powerful.’

Spurs celebrated a record-breaking win at Old Trafford, ruthlessly punishing their hosts

Spurs celebrated a record-breaking win at Old Trafford, ruthlessly punishing their hosts

‘The word for me is: character,’ added Hojbjerg, who was deployed at Old Trafford alongside Moussa Sissoko and behind the more creative Tanguy Ndombele with Kane, Son and Erik Lamela ahead of them. ‘It shows that there is only one thing we are going for and that is to win every single game we are playing.

The game ended in United’s joint heaviest Premier League defeat, having previously shipped six in the top tier versus Southampton in 1966 and against rivals Manchester City back in October 2011.

And Hojbjerg’s contribution, which included, 116 touches, 100 successful passes and regaining possession six times, did not go unnoticed. He was picked out by Jermaine Jenas on BBC MOTD2 as an integral part of a tough and well-balanced Spurs midfield.

‘It was a dominant performance,’ said the former Spurs man. ‘He ran that midfield. There was not a Manchester United player who could get near him. He is thinking ‘I am the enforcer in here and I am going to have an impact’.’

Hojbjerg has already made four starts for Tottenham in the Premier League this season

Hojbjerg has already made four starts for Tottenham in the Premier League this season