Published on 14/01/2024
Tottenham came from behind twice to draw 2-2 and deny Manchester United victory in front of the watching Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund put Erik ten Hag’s team in front with a powerful early effort but Richarlison headed in the first equaliser and though Marcus Rashford restored United’s advantage, Rodrigo Bentancur levelled again at the start of the second half.
Scott McTominay headed over in stoppage time but neither side could find a winner in an entertaining affair that showcased Ange Postecoglou’s passing game and the pace of the home team on the counter-attack. The draw moves United up two places to seventh. Spurs miss the chance to overtake Arsenal and stay fifth.
Man Utd:Onana (6), Wan-Bissaka (7), Varane (6), Evans (6), Dalot (6), Eriksen (6), Mainoo (6), Garnacho (6), Bruno Fernandes (7), Rashford (7), Hojlund (7).
Subs: McTominay (6), Martinez (6), Antony (n/a).
Tottenham: Vicario (6), Porro (7), Skipp (7), Romero (7), Udogie (6), Van de Ven (6), Bentancur (8), Hojbjerg (7), Johnson (6), Richarlison (7), Werner (6).
Subs: Gil (n/a), Dragusin (n/a), Emerson Royal (n/a).
Player of the match: Rodrigo Bentancur.
Ratcliffe, whose partial takeover is expected to go through next month, was treated to a fast start and a spectacular strike as Hojlund lit up Old Trafford with a fierce finish into the roof of the net. Rashford had been crowded out. Hojlund’s hit was emphatic.
Tottenham’s response was impressive, Jonny Evans flicking debutant Timo Werner’s header wide and Diogo Dalot was required to clear Bentancur’s header off the line. The equaliser did come when Richarlison nodded in Pedro Porro’s left-wing corner.
The template was set by that stage – Spurs dominating possession, United threatening on the counter-attack. It made for a thrilling game. Still in the first half, Destiny Udogie headed Rashford’s cross against his own post before United took the lead once more.
Rashford’s clever one-two with Hojlund outmanoeuvred Porro and the finish, low into the far corner, was too good for Guglielmo Vicario. There was time for Cristian Romero to head against the bar from another Porro corner before the half-time whistle.
