De Ligt at the end as Utd rescue point
A header in the 6th minute of injury time from Matthijs de Ligt preserved Man Utd’s unbeaten run going at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this morning. Yet again, the reds had been leading at half-time, only to let the home side back into the game. There is still much to work on at the back.
It was equally frustrating for the hosts who looked set to record their first home win of the season. There was boos at half-time, until strikes from Mathys Tels and Richarlison in the first minute of injury time. They were able to keep up their unbeaten run against the reds though.
Both managers made three changes from last weekend. Rubem Amorim brought in Harry Maguire, Patrick Dorgu, and Noussair Mazraoui from the side who drew at Forest. Benjamin Sesko, Diogo Dalot, and Leny Yoro all dropped to the bench. Jack Fletcher, son of Darren Fletcher, was on the bench to keep up their academy run. Thomas Frank brought in Richarlison, Joao Paulinha, and Djed Spense into the side from the Champions League win over FC Copenhagen. Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogie, and Rodrigo Bentancur missed out.
Bryan Mbeumo was the nominated striker and he was left frustrated twice in the opening seven minutes. He was flagged offside when he looked to be on. Neither of these were checked by VAR. Both teams were struggling to really get a grip on the game and create a chance of note though.
Mattheus Cunha drew the first save of the game on 20 minutes when he controlled a loose ball before drawing a save out of Gugliemo Vicario. Mbeumo might have been in a better position though. There was a penalty shout from the resulting corner, but VAR cleared it.
It was just after the half hour when the away side struck for the lead. Tottenham were unable to clear properly and United got control of the ball. Cunha’s cross was headed out, but Amad Diallo was able to retrieve it and cross into Mbeumo. The newly named player of the month met it with a deft header to the left of Vicario for his fifth goal of the season. Not that his former boss at Brentford would have been too happy about it.
Spurs tried to respond before half-time, but too often their final ball was overhit. Despite having two strikers in Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani, neither were able to the necessary service to threaten the visitors back-line.
Frank changed up his attack at the break, but it was United who almost went further in front. A gorgeous ball from Bruno Fernandes found Patrick Dorgu down the left. He found Cunha who’s low cross was missed by everyone.
From having a quiet afternoon, Senne Lammens was then called into action twice in the space of a few minutes. He somehow got a hand to a flick from Christian Romero to tip it away before parrying a shot from Joao Paulinha from close range.
Brennan Johnson had the ball in the net as he did in the Europa League Final but he was offside on this occasion. VAR then cleared Harry Maguire of an accidential handball as Spurs amped up the pressure.
Amorim responded to this by emptying his bench as some players received knocks and to switch his system.
It was Spurs changes that levelled up the game though. Destiny Udogie found Mathys Tel who produced a decent first touch before holding off Matthijs de Ligt and shooting past Lammens.
Benjamin Sesko almost put Utd back in front at the other end only to see Micky van de Ven produce a an excellent last minute block to deny him. Sesko picked up a knock in this exchange and had to go off meaning that the reds were now down to ten men having made all their subs.
As the game entered injury time, the home side found themselves in front. A shot from Wilson Odobert came in from the edge of the area that Lammens looked to have had in control. Richarlison produced a flick to divert it away from the keeper and send the stadium into raptures.
Incredibly it was not finished however. A corner was swung in and De Ligt found himself in room at the back post to steer his header past Vicario for the last action of the game.
Again the debate of whether it is a sign of resilience or weakness in the side. United were in second place in the table prior to the Spurs intervention, but the side keeps on going. Due to the international break, United don’t play again until Everton at home on Monday 24th at 20:00. Tottenham have the North London derby the day before.
Tottenham: Gugliemo Vicario, Pedro Porro (Destiny Udogie 67), Christian Romero (Kevin Danso 88), Micky van de Ven, Djed Spense, Joao Paulinha (Rodrigo Bentancur 79), Pape Sarr, Brennan Johnson, Xavi Simmons (Mathys Tels 79), Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani (Wilson Odobert 46).
Subs not used: Antonin Kinsky, Dane Scarlett, Yusuf Akhamrich, James Rowswell.
Booked: Brennan Johnson (29), Christian Romero (34), Joao Paulinha (75), Richarlison (90+2)
Sent off: None
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire (Leny Yoro 72), Luke Shaw, Noussair Mazraoui (Benjamin Sesko 58), Patrick Dorgu (Diogo Dalot 80), Casemiro (Manuel Ugarte 72), Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Mattheus Cunha (Mason Mount 72), Bryan Mbuemo.
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Joshua Zirkzee, Ayden Heaven, Jack Fletcher.
Booked: Patrick Dorgu (79)
Sent off: None
Referee: Samuel Beckett
Attendence: 61,210
Simply Red Man of the Match: Bryan Mbeumo
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