United blitz Spurs with rousing second-half display

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Manchester United delivered a vibrant second-half performance to beat Tottenham 3-0 yesterday and make it two wins from two in the Premier League.

Tottenham, seeking a first win at Old Trafford since 1989, kept the scoreline blank in the first half, with American goalkeeper Brad Friedel marking his Spurs debut with a full-stretch save from Tom Cleverley's well-struck shot.

United turned up the heat after the break and Danny Welbeck broke the deadlock in the 61st when he headed in Cleverley's precise right-wing cross.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp responded with a double substitution on the 74th but two minutes later, Welbeck set up Brazilian midfielder Anderson to stroke home the second goal.

Fast game

Substitute Ryan Giggs crossed for Wayne Rooney to head in the third in the 87th to wrap up the win and leave the defending champions on six points from two games, behind league leaders and cross-city rivals Manchester City on goal difference.

"The second-half performance was absolutely fantastic," United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports. "It was a fast game in the first half, it was end-to-end. Tottenham had a lot of possession, but in the second half we just took off."

Tottenham were playing their first game of the season after their opener was postponed in the wake of the London riots.

Redknapp chose not to select Chelsea transfer target Luka Modric in his squad, but said afterward he expected the Croatian playmaker to stay at the club.

"For sure, he's a fantastic professional," Redknapp said. "We need him back playing.

"We need one or two more players. We've got good footballers but we just lack a spine to the team. I know who we need and if the chairman can help me bring them in we'll be fine."