Manchester United vs. Tottenham: Score, Reaction for 2016 Premier League Match

Henrikh Mkhitaryan struck in the first half to help Manchester United to a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Armenia international was superb throughout, but his day ended in miserable fashion when he was forced off on a stretcher following a tackle from Tottenham left-back Danny Rose.

United's Twitter account relayed an image of Mkhitaryan receiving treatment for his injury:

Even without their creative talisman, United saw the game out and moved to within three points of fifth-placed Spurs. The Red Devils are still sixth but are just six points off the top four.

United boss Jose Mourinho stuck the same side he used against Everton, with Mkhitaryan, Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera in support of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Former Spurs man Michael Carrick started at the base of midfield, per the club:

Meanwhile, Tottenham welcomed back key man Toby Alderweireld in the heart of defence, per the club's Twitter account:

United started brightly by crafting a chance inside the first 90 seconds. A flowing move included terrific work between Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic that helped tee up Pogba for a shooting chance, but Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved well.

Mkhitaryan was again influential after 20 minutes, when he met a smart pass from Carrick with a thunderous low drive. Spurs only survived thanks to an excellent block by Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen.

Spurs couldn't keep an increasingly lively Mkhitaryan quiet for long, though. They were put under pressure when Harry Kane lazily gave the ball away, and United pounced.

Herrera released Mkhitaryan, who sped towards Lloris before emphatically smashing a high shot past the French stopper and into the roof of the net. In the process, the Armenian playmaker made history in England's top flight, according to Match of the Day:

The creative maestro has revitalised United's attack recently—a fact summed up by Squawka:

United should have had a second when Antonio Valencia's cross fell to Ibrahimovic in the box on another rapid break, but the Swedish striker's scuffed shot gave Lloris the chance to save at his near post.

Spurs needed a response, and it nearly came from the boot of Heung-Min Son after the South Korean forward flashed a shot at goal that United's David De Gea had to be alert to tip over. It was the closest Tottenham came to getting a goal back before the break.

The second half's start was cagey and slow-paced. Spurs found it particularly difficult to get behind United and weren't making inroads in the final third, per Squawka:

The visitors were instead forced into long shots, with Christian Eriksen stinging De Gea's palms from outside the box.

The Denmark international soon put United under more pressure when his whipped free-kick found Victor Wanyama unmarked in front of goal. Inexplicably, the midfielder headed back across goal, perhaps not realising how much space he was in.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino needed to change things and turned to Moussa Sissoko in place of Son. The powerful Frenchman gave United full-back Matteo Darmian a torrid time, although the Londoners couldn't capitalise on his raiding runs.

United had to get more proactive, and Pogba tried to provide the inspiration with a stunning free-kick, but he struck the bar. The world's most expensive player was again involved when Mkhitaryan teed him up to shoot, but Lloris clawed the effort away.

United couldn't maintain the pressure, though, and Sissoko continued to cause problems at the other end. Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News felt it was too much of a gamble to keep the struggling Darmian on:

Sissoko and Kane combined to win a free-kick that Eriksen swept low at goal, but De Gea made a nifty save. Tottenham's latest attack on the right at least finally prompted United into a change.

Mourinho introduced Marcus Rashford for Martial in the 72nd minute, perhaps feeling the 19-year-old would do more work tracking back to support an overwhelmed Darmian.

United's low moment came in the final 10 minutes, when Rose's challenge injured Mkhitaryan, who was replaced by centre-back Eric Bailly.

The extra defender helped the Red Devils protect their clean sheet without too much fuss.

Post-Match Reaction

Mourinho gave MUTV (h/t Luckhurst) some positive news about Mkhitaryan's injury:

The United gaffer also provided additional information about when the match-winner will be back in action (h/t Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News):

Pochettino was disappointed by his team's inability to match United in the final third:

Spurs lost valuable points in the title race, but they are still well-placed in the battle for a top-four spot.

United played better, but their creative inspiration all came from Mkhitaryan. Mourinho and Co. need him back as soon as possible.