With both teams having the chance to move 2nd in the Premier League table, Tottenham and Man United were forced to share the points after a wild finish in N17.
In what was a replay of last season’s Europa League final, Manchester United came looking for revenge while Tottenham Hotspur aimed to extend their unbeaten record against the Manchester club.
Following last weekend’s woeful 0-1 defeat at home to Chelsea, Spurs responded midweek with a commanding 4-0 win over FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.
However, this time, Thomas Frank’s side were up against a United team unbeaten in 4 and carrying plenty of confidence.
There were some raised eyebrows before kick-off as Brennan Johnson started on the right with Mohammed Kudus absent from the squad, while Djed Spence replaced Destiny Udogie.
At the same time, Richarlison was deployed on the left despite Wilson Odobert’s strong midweek performance in what looked like Frank’s attempt to replicate Ange Postecoglou’s setup from the Europa League final.
First half: Tottenham 0-1 Man United
The opening stages were flat, with neither side doing much to excite the crowd. Still, Tottenham looked slightly better early on, given they were the first team in the Premier League this season to hold off this Manchester United team from having a shot on target in the first 15 minutes.
Spurs created the first real moment of danger when Johnson whipped in a teasing cross that begged to be headed home, but Richarlison somehow completely missed it.
There was still very little happening from both sides in the final third until United got the better of the dull start. Pape Sarr didn’t clear a loose ball, and it was worked back in by the United team before Amad Diallo crossed for Bryan Mbeumo, who headed past Guglielmo Vicario.
Tottenham struggled to break into the final third, not helped by the lack of attacking quality that left Xavi Simons, their only creative outlet, carrying the burden on his own. They entered the break trailing by one goal and with no shots on target.
Second half: Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United
Despite Wilson Odobert’s substitution at half-time being almost inevitable, it came as a bit of a surprise as he replaced Kolo Muani, rather than Richarlison.
The French U21 international almost had an immediate impact when he sent in a cross that Cristian Romero managed to flick goalwards, but Senne Lammens managed to keep it out. Moments later, the Belgian goalkeeper produced an even better save to deny Joao Palhinha’s volley.
With the hour mark crossed, Tottenham thought they equalised when Richarlison slipped in Brennan Johnson, who finished into the bottom left corner. However, it was ruled out for the Welshman being offside.
With seven minutes left, Spurs finally found their equaliser through their substitutes. Destiny Udogie, drilled a low ball across the box for Mathys Tel, who turned and hit a deflected shot into the top corner.
United almost got one back when Benjamin Sesko was sent through by Mason Mount, but Van de Ven produced a sensational sliding challenge to deny what looked like a certain goal.
However, the Manchester United forward injured himself in the process, and United were unfortunate to be reduced to ten men as Ruben Amorim had already used all of his substitutions.
The ten-man United side were definitely much easier to beat for Tottenham as they took the lead in stoppage time when Richarlison got the slightest touch to Odobert’s curling effort from the edge of the box.
However, fate thought it wasn’t fair to the Red Devils, so it handed them a last-second equaliser. Matthijs de Ligt headed home from Bruno Fernandes’ corner, with the ball crossing the line before Guglielmo Vicario could palm it back.
FT: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-2 MANCHESTER UNITED
Spurs Web man of the match: Wilson Odobert
What’s next for Spurs?
Both clubs will be happy and disappointed at the same time; United for the fact that they were in control for 83 minutes but then conceded back-to-back, and Spurs for falling short only in their final defensive act.
Thomas Frank will probably be more concerned about the 2 injuries than the 2 points dropped. While Kolo Muani’s substitution at half-time came as a surprise, Frank confirmed after the game that the French international had taken a knock, and Cristian Romero also had to be taken off late due to a minor issue.
With both these players selected to represent their respective countries in the international break that follows this fixture, Tottenham supporters will want them to be rested.
One can’t help but wonder what this team will look like by the time the international break ends, given Spurs are expecting key returns of Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, and Radu Dragușin, with two important back-to-back fixtures after the break.
Spurs have the North London Derby on 23rd November and then face Champions League title holders Paris Saint-Germain after that.