“I Couldn’t Breathe”: Guglielmo Vicario Singles Out the Man Utd Star Who “Shocked” Him
Old Trafford, February 7, 2026 — While the headlines from Manchester United’s 2-0 demolition of Tottenham have focused on Sir Alex Ferguson’s praise and Bruno Fernandes’ captaincy, Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has provided a haunting insight into what it’s actually like to face Michael Carrick’s rejuvenated Red Devils.
Despite making eight saves and keeping the scoreline respectable for over an hour, the Italian shot-stopper admitted he was left “shocked” by the relentless aggression of one particular United player.
“I Was Just Receiving Shots”
Speaking to the media in the tunnel after the match, a visibly exhausted Vicario didn’t hold back when describing the pressure coming from the United midfield and attack.
> “Throughout the whole 90 minutes, I was just receiving shots from his angle,” Vicario said, referencing the barrage of attacks. “You couldn’t breathe at that particular moment. I have seen such dangerously aggressive Manchester United players before in clips, but to feel that intensity… it was shocking.”
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The “Dangerously Aggressive” Man: Bryan Mbeumo
While many expected Vicario to name Bruno Fernandes, sources close to the Spurs camp suggest his comments were aimed primarily at Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroonian international, who joined United to lead the line in Carrick’s new-look system, was a constant thorn in the side of the 10-man Tottenham defense.
Mbeumo didn’t just score the opening goal; he registered 7 shots on target, forced three world-class saves from Vicario, and relentlessly pressed the Spurs backline from the first whistle.
The Mbeumo Menace:
* 38th Minute: Scores a clinical side-foot finish from a clever corner routine.
* 55th Minute: Unleashes a “thunderbolt” from 20 yards that Vicario tips onto the crossbar.
* Total Shots: 9 (7 on target).
* Distance Covered: 11.4km (highest of any forward on the pitch).
A Return to the “Fergie Way”?
Vicario’s comment about seeing “such dangerously aggressive players before” is a nod to the iconic United teams of the 90s and 2000s—teams that specialized in suffocating opponents at Old Trafford.
Under Michael Carrick, United has transitioned from a side that sat back and countered to a “high-velocity” machine. The 2-0 scoreline, according to pundits, flattered Tottenham, as Vicario’s 8.0 match rating was the only thing preventing a historic rout.
The Vicario Save Reel (vs. Man Utd)
| Minute | Action | Result |
|—|—|—|
| 12′ | Close-range Casemiro header | Point-blank save |
| 44′ | Luke Shaw long-range effort | Pushed wide |
| 55′ | Mbeumo volley | Tip over bar |
| 72′ | Diogo Dalot low drive | Leg save |
The Verdict: A “New” Old Trafford
For Vicario, the experience was a wake-up call. “We knew they were in good form, but the way they hunt the ball now is different,” the keeper added. “They make the pitch feel very small.”
As United moves into the top four and prepares for a title charge in 2026, the rest of the Premier League is beginning to share Vicario’s sentiment: Old Trafford is once again a place where opponents find it very, very hard to breathe.
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