United were supposed to compete for his signature all summer, but instead chose Rasmus Hojlund, an unproven Premier League player who arrived wounded from Atalanta. Tottenham, on the other hand, appear to be in deeper difficulties after finally getting what they wanted for their main asset and deciding it was money they didn’t need to reinvest.
One thing was absent from new manager Ange Postecoglou’s home debut, despite the raw energy and attacking flair of a new-look squad under the Australian. A leader.
Richarlison is battling to replace Kane’s vacuum in the absence of any deadline-busting effort from Daniel Levy. After trying to conceal his
Tottenham in trouble as struggling Richarlison pleads for ‘patience’ after Man Utd win (Image: GETTY)
“I think the fans will have to be a little patient,” Richarlison explained. “It’s not easy to replace an idol like Harry Kane, and it takes time.” Whether you like it or not, they’re going to miss him if I don’t score.
“He’s a guy who has over 200 goals for the club.” As an example, try to score as many goals as possible while wearing a Tottenham shirt. That’s why Tottenham paid a high price for me.
“That’s why they put me here; now it’s up to me to do the job; I understand my responsibilities.” “I know the coach trusts me because he hit my chest.” Tottenham deserves credit for getting to where they are.
Tottenham in trouble as struggling Richarlison pleads for ‘patience’ after Man Utd win (Image: GETTY)
It had the United captain looking forlornly for the assistant’s flag to reprieve him. Erik Ten Hag can at least point to the imminent return of Hojlund from injury as a solution to his goalscoring problems.
Saving a late delve into the transfer market – with Romelu Lukaku again being linked with a move despite Tottenham’s earlier denials – Postecoglou will just have to stick with the misfiring Richarlison who has managed just three goals in 37 Premier League games.
“We’ve been training and during training I’ve been doing well, scoring goals,” Richarlison insisted. “I think it’s a matter of time for the goals to come out, there’s the harmony.
“Little by little, we’re getting along. James Maddison is a great player, and little by little I’m gaining rapport with him. But the important thing is that we won the three points.”