Tottenham got here from behind twice to attract 2-2 and deny Manchester United victory in entrance of the watching Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Previous Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund put Erik ten Hag’s staff in entrance with a strong early effort however Richarlison headed within the first equaliser and although Marcus Rashford restored United’s benefit, Rodrigo Bentancur levelled once more at first of the second half.
Scott McTominay headed over in stoppage time however neither aspect may discover a winner in an entertaining affair that showcased Ange Postecoglou’s passing recreation and the tempo of the house staff on the counter-attack. The draw strikes United up two locations to seventh. Spurs miss the prospect to overhaul Arsenal and keep fifth.
The way it performed out at Previous Trafford
Ratcliffe, whose partial takeover is anticipated to undergo subsequent month, was handled to a quick begin and a spectacular strike as Hojlund lit up Previous Trafford with a fierce end into the roof of the web. Rashford had been crowded out. Hojlund’s hit was emphatic.
Tottenham’s response was spectacular, Jonny Evans flicking debutant Timo Werner’s header huge and Diogo Dalot was required to clear Bentancur’s header off the road. The equaliser did come when Richarlison nodded in Pedro Porro’s left-wing nook.
The template was set by that stage – Spurs dominating possession, United threatening on the counter-attack. It made for an exciting recreation. Nonetheless within the first half, Future Udogie headed Rashford’s cross in opposition to his personal put up earlier than United took the lead as soon as extra.
Rashford’s intelligent one-two with Hojlund outmanoeuvred Porro and the end, low into the far nook, was too good for Guglielmo Vicario. There was time for Cristian Romero to go in opposition to the bar from one other Porro nook earlier than the half-time whistle.
Spurs wanted no encouragement to imagine they had been nonetheless in it – it was that type of recreation. And Bentancur levelled it inside a minute of the restart, with Ten Hag but to take his seat. Werner’s centre was collected well and dispatched excessive into Andre Onana’s web.
Manchester United have by no means misplaced a Premier League recreation at Previous Trafford when main at half-time however that document was in danger as Tottenham chased a 3rd. Ten Hag introduced McTominay on, looking for dynamism, whereas Lisandro Martinez made his return.
However the anticipated grandstand end didn’t fairly emerge. McTominay spurned the clearest alternative, heading Alejandro Garnacho’s cross over the bar when unmarked. The supporters at Previous Trafford are hoping for far more as soon as Ratcliffe’s impression is felt.
Postecoglou hails his gamers
“I am delighted. We played really well. Obviously, not the greatest of starts, being a goal down, particularly here, and knowing the situation Manchester United are in, in terms of needing a result,” Postecoglou advised Sky Sports activities afterwards.
“Their response was outstanding. Our football after that was really good and even before that, we were creating some good opportunities.
“We then acquired hit on one other transition however within the second half, we managed the sport. I could not be happier.
“We have had a really rough week off the field with quite a bit of illness and other things. This group of players has been outstanding.”
Within the press convention, Postecoglou confirmed that in addition to Dejan Kulusevski, who missed the match, Udogie and Oliver Skipp had additionally suffered diseases.
Romero was “probably two weeks ahead of schedule” after damage, whereas Micky van de Ven was pushed to the restrict on his return.
There was a particular phrase for Bentancur, who received the participant of the match award for his efficiency.
“To be honest, the initial diagnosis, he should still be out. But he came to me and said he wanted to help. It is a testament to his character. He was outstanding today.
“There have been two or three others who struggled a bit this week. Nevertheless it does not actually matter. These guys will not be going to make excuses.
“These guys are giving me everything, whether it is the guys who are out of position, have not played for a while or are coming back from injury.
“There have been a hell of loads of causes for us to not carry out at that stage. Even me, as somebody who likes to push the envelope, I’d have accepted that.”
Ten Hag frustrated by soft goals
“I feel we scored two nice objectives and we concede two very comfortable objectives,” said Ten Hag.
“The second objective from a objective kick, we should always defend the diagonal, it’s the equaliser and it’s no good however I’ve seen some good spells, two objectives but additionally another possibilities. You might be barely upset if you get the outcome.”
As with Postecoglou, preparations were disrupted due to injury as he revealed the reason why Aaron Wan-Bissaka lined up at left-back with Dalot on the right.
“We anticipated Luke Shaw and skilled with him however this morning he dropped out not match sufficient to start out so to alter then again and adapt our gameplan was an excessive amount of so we determined to place Wan-Bissaka [on the left].”
The Dutchman was frustrated to be denied a penalty for a challenge by Udogie on Garnacho. “What are you able to do? However I’m used to it, all season that’s the case.” And he also saw McTominay miss a header that he said he scores “10 out of 10” ordinarily.
However he was happy to see Hojlund and Rashford rating in the identical recreation for the primary time.
“I hope they keep going, there is progress, they are coming up with some routines and that is what you need, especially in the front line where a quick decision has to be made and in a split second you need the right decision so you need intuition.”
Have their struggles in entrance of objective affected confidence? “I think that counts for every team when your front players are not scoring,” he added. “It goes through the whole team, makes everyone insecure starting with the front players when they are not scoring.”
What’s subsequent?
Man Utd enter the two-week winter break earlier than dealing with an FA Cup fourth-round tie on January 27, with their opponents (Newport County or Eastleigh) but to be decided.
They return to Premier League obligation on February 1 when travelling to Wolves; kick-off 8.15pm.
Tottenham contest their respective FA Cup fourth-round tie in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on January 27, earlier than internet hosting Brentford within the Premier League on January 31; kick-off 7.30pm.