Manchester United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Rodrigo Bentancur equalises as visitors fight back twice

Tottenham got here back from behind twice in a pulsating Premier League encounter to disclaim Manchester United a victory in entrance of latest co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

And he noticed Rasmus Hojlund drive United right into a third-minute lead.

But Ratcliffe’s pre-match assertion that United “normally do well against Spurs” wasn’t fairly borne out right here.

Brazilian striker Richarlison levelled along with his sixth aim in as many Premier League video games for the visitors, who have been with out three gamers, together with captain Son Heung-min – away with South Korea on the Asian Cup.

Marcus Rashford put the hosts forward earlier than the break, however Rodrigo Bentancur worn out the benefit a minute after the restart with a blistering shot, his first aim since April, throughout which period he has recovered from a cruciate knee ligament damage and an ankle drawback.

The remainder of the sport would have been an schooling for Ratcliffe, who sat subsequent to Sir Alex Ferguson within the administrators’ field. United had lower than 40% possession, 9 photographs towards Tottenham’s 16 and solely a 3rd of the visitors’ six on track.

A draw was not sufficient to take Tottenham above rivals Arsenal and into the highest 4. But it did permit them to keep up an eight-point benefit over their hosts, who may drop to tenth earlier than they’re subsequent in motion towards Wolves on 1 February.

Hojlund and Rashford’s uncommon double

Prior to this recreation, Hojlund and Rashford had solely scored 4 Premier League targets between them this season. Ratcliffe was privileged certainly, subsequently, to see each get on the scoresheet in his first 45 minutes as a returning ‘fan’. That the pair additionally had a major involvement within the different’s aim simply added to the sense of event.

It was solely in United’s final house recreation, towards Aston Villa on 26 December, that Hojlund broke his duck with a memorable late winner.

His newest effort smacked of somebody who’s having a surge of confidence. Hojlund wasted little time in blasting a shot excessive into the Tottenham aim after Destiny Udogie had stepped in to halt Rashford’s cost throughout the penalty space.

Rashford has achieved a lot that confidence shouldn’t be a difficulty. But he has been a shadow of the participant who broke the 30-goal mark for the primary time final season. There was a component of being not sure of himself when he delayed getting a shot away having discovered himself within the excellent place simply earlier than half-time. By then, although he had already discovered the online as soon as.

Bruno Fernandes was a major issue, spraying an outstanding go out to the England ahead. But it was Hojlund who then supplied the proper return go, which Tottenham’s defenders have been too gradual to react to as Rashford despatched his shot into the underside nook.

Midway by way of the second half, supervisor Erik ten Hag had an prolonged chat with Rashford throughout a break in play. It appeared extra tactical than an evaluation of the ahead’s newest wasted alternative as Pedro Porro matched him for pace throughout a fast chase into the Tottenham space earlier than the full-back outwitted his opponent as he tried to verify onto his proper foot.

When Rashford was ultimately changed by Antony three minutes from time, he didn’t appear completely happy, chuntering to himself as he took his seat.

Bentancur shines

Tottenham followers’ favorite Betancur had an eventful day as he works his method back from the ankle damage that adopted a month after his restoration from cruciate surgical procedure.

The Uruguayan had an early effort cleared off the road by Dalot after which earned himself a warning in ridiculous vogue as he kicked the ball away after a flag had gone up for an offside, ludicrously arguing he was giving the ball back to United when he had, in reality, despatched it yards away from the place it wanted to be.

His first aim for the reason that day he suffered his damage was a wonderful effort. Debutant Timo Werner supplied the go – a collectors’ merchandise given he solely managed one help in 21 league appearances throughout his closing season at Chelsea – and after that, Bentancur steadied himself earlier than belting a drive previous Africa Cup of Nations-bound Andre Onana at his close to put up.

A draw was the least Tottenham deserved, as £25m new arrival Radu Dragusin made his debut as a late substitute, though they’ll hope the damage that pressured off Micky van de Ven close to the tip is nothing greater than fatigue associated given the Dutchman was returning after a two-month absence with a hamstring damage.

After the sport, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou praised his gamers as he revealed that a few of his squad had struggled with sickness in the course of the week.

Dejan Kulusevski was a kind of who missed out as a result of he had been unwell and Postecoglou mentioned: “He struggled all week, he was desperate to play, Skippy [Oliver Skipp], Destiny [Udogie], two or three others struggled this week.

“It does not matter – these guys do not make excuses. If we did not play properly right now, they would not need me to make excuses.

“It was an enormous effort from the lads.”