Dejan Kulusevski made Premier League history with a decisive display for Tottenham Hotspur during the club’s 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United in September.

The Sweden international created nine chances for his teammates, the most of any opposition Premier League player at Old Trafford since Opta began recording this detailed data in 2003. Chelsea’s Florent Malouda is the only other player in the last two decades to have teed up more than six shots at the iconic venue.

According to Kulusevski, setting a new landmark in this impressive – if niche – statistical category was a conscious objective. “There was a record there that I broke,” the 24-year-old told the Swedish publication Aftonbladet during the October international break. “It was my plan all along to do it and I’m glad I did. When the team plays well, I play well.”

Despite his record-breaking creative figures, none of Kulusevski’s nine key passes were converted into goals. The former Juventus forward did find the net himself, making it 2-0 three minutes into the second half by tapping in Brennan Johnson’s deflected cross beyond Andre Onana.

Spurs played more than half of the contest with the upper hand after Bruno Fernandes was sent off for lunging at James Maddison. But as boss Ange Postecoglou rightly pointed out post-game, the visitors “probably should have been out of sight by that stage”.

Kulusevski created half of the 12 shots which Tottenham rattled off while United had a full complement of players. The hosts, by comparison, had been able to muster just three efforts collectively. Fernandes was the most prolific creator in the Premier League last season, per FBref, but is only responsible for six key passes this season – less than Kulusevski’s tally against the Red Devils alone.

“It was great fun to play in a legendary arena and I played exactly as I wanted,” Kulusevski grinned when looking back on that hefty victory. “And [we] played football that not only I want to play but the whole team.”

United’s Victor Lindelof watched the carnage unfold from the Old Trafford substitutes’ bench. The Swedish centre-back put club loyalties aside to hail his compatriot as a “role model for many” ahead of the national team’s UEFA Nations League fixtures this month.

“I think Dejan is a fantastically talented footballer,” Lindelof continued. “He runs as much as he wants. It is a treat to see him play football and that he is here. These players also get to see what it takes to play at the highest level.”

READ THE LATEST TOTTENHAM NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP