Gareth Bale is on course to give Tottenham a huge lift in the Premier League as he joined team training for the first time.
The 31-year-old Welshman, on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, appeared to be closer to returning to full fitness after the hamstring problem that has delayed his debut.
Bale has missed out on joining up with the Wales squad for their match against England on Thursday night to work on his conditioning.
He joined fellow new signing Carlos Vinicius as they prepare for the next Premier League game, at home to West Ham on October 18.
The Brazilian striker arrived last week on a season-long loan from Benfica, and looked in good shape as he linked up with his new teammates and boss Jose Mourinho.
Spurs were in fine form before the international break, thrashing Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford following a League Cup victory over Chelsea.
Manchester United v Tottenham player ratings
-

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 5: Screaming as his defence failed him in a frantic opening. What could any goalkeeper do in similar circumstances? Reuters -

Aaron Wan-Bissak - 3: Weak going forward once again. Started last season well; started this one dreadfully. AFP -

Eric Bailly - 1: Recalled for first league start of season. Was poor for Spurs' first goal and didn’t anticipate the run of Son for the second. It got even worse – his pass for Matic in the D with players around him led to another goal. Reuters -

Harry Maguire - 2: Terrible powerless header to nowhere which led to Spurs equaliser. Equally awful for second goal quickly after. Frequently out of position. Deflected the ball through his own legs for Spurs’ fourth. Reuters -

Luke Shaw - 2: Vulnerable for Spurs’ opener and struggled to defend - tackled his own goalkeeper at one point. Yellow carded after Lucas Moura got away from him after 84 minutes. Woeful in attack, in positioning and in defence. Reuters -

Nemanja Matic - 3: Like trying to stop the flow of the Amazon with a match. Didn’t control pass from Bailly for Spurs’ third. Usually well organised, not today against superb Spurs. Reuters -

Paul Pogba - 2: Lost too many 50/50s and completely outplayed by Ndombele and Hojbjerg in the middle. Gave away a penalty for the sixth. Pogba should be a stand out, but he’s been wholly inadequate so far this season. Reuters -

Bruno Fernandes - 3: Super pass to Martial that led to a United penalty on 29 seconds. Stroked ball into bottom right corner. And then it all went wrong. Sloppy in possession and taken off at half time. AFP -

Mason Greenwood - 4: Turned and shot from outside area after 23 minutes – and that was about it. Hardly affected the game and another reason why United need to strengthen in attack. AFP -

Marcus Rashford - 4: Another who had a good opening minute as he drove forward towards Aurier from the start. Also closed Hugo Lloris down frequently but was too peripheral as Tottenham completely bossed the game. AFP -

Anthony Martial - 3: Sent off after 29 minutes after he stupidly tapped the lamentable Lamela. His red card ruined the game – though United were a shambles before. High point was winning a penalty in an encouraging opening minute. AFP -

SUBS: Fred (on for Matic) - 4: Gave ball away too much – like the rest. Frustrated and struck a ball wide after an hour towards an advertising hoarding rather than his own player. Reuters -

Scott McTominay (on for Fernandes) - 5: Put a midfield shift in difficult circumstances, but still gave ball away too much. Limited. AFP -

Donny van de Beek (on for Greenwood) - 5: His agent wasn’t happy that he was a sub, but the player himself must wonder what he’s just walked into after being the only signing so far. Reuters -

TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 6: Faced a penalty in the first minute, which United scored. Hardly saw the ball after that. AFP -

Serge Aurier - 10: The Ivorian defender Spurs' best attacker. Supplied Son for his second goal and them rammed home the visitors' fifth to cap a superb performance. Reuters -

Davinson Sanchez - 7: Gave away a soft penalty after 29 seconds. Recovered well after that early setback and didn't give United's strikers a kick thereafter. Reuters -

Eric Dier - 7: Showed once again why his manager holds him in such high regard. Didn't put a foot wrong all game. Reuters -

Sergio Reguilon - 7: The Spanish left-back showed what a threat he is when let off the leash. Reuters -

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 8: The Dane destroyed United's midfield with his physicality. Reuters -

Tanguy Ndombele - 8: Equalised with a poacher's goal and was a colossus at both ends throughout. Without doubt the Frenchman's best performance in a Tottenham shirt. AFP -

Moussa Sissoko - 7: Dominated his opposite number Pogba. Nothing flashy but he didn't need to be with Ndombele running the show next to him. Reuters -

Son Heung-min - 9: Scared witless with his pace. Two clinical finishes and could have become the first top-flight player to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford since Dennis Bailey in 1992 but a rare poor first touch when through on goal let him down. He is simply unplayable in this sort of form. AFP -

Erik Lamela - 6: Won't be proud of his involvement in the incident that led to Anthony Martial's sending off. The theatrics undermined what was an excellent performance by the Argentine. Hooked at half time. AFP -

Harry Kane - 9: While managers squabble over his workload, the Tottenham striker just goes about his business. It was his quick-thinking that set Son on his way to put Spurs ahead and helped himself to another couple of goals for good measure. United fans will lament that they are reduced to talks to sign a 33-year-old Edinson Cavani instead of a prime Harry Kane. Reuters -

SUBS: Lucas Moura (on for Lamela) - 6: The Brazilian was lucky to avoid serious injury after Luke Shaw hacked him down as he raced clear. EPA -

Dele Alli (on for Ndombele) - 5: United had thrown in the towel long before Alli was introduced on 69 minutes. Reuters -

Ben Davies (on for Son) - 7: A rare foray forward saw the Welsh defender win a penalty at Pogba's expense for Spurs' sixth. Reuters
The Greatest Royal Rumble card
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto








