Tottenham midfielder Benjamin Stambouli enjoyed his battle with Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney in Sunday's 0-0 draw.
It was the Frenchman's first league start at White Hart Lane.
"The coach asked us to go to war," Stambouli said.
"I was asked to man-mark Rooney. He is very strong - a legend in England. But you can't spend the 90 minutes watching him. If you let these players express themselves, you are dead.
"Even while being man-marked, he was playing everything one-touch. He sees everything. Keeping him quiet is complicated. If you did not see much of him, all the better!"