10-man Tottenham snatch last-gasp point against Man United at Old Trafford

Manchester United 1

Tottenham Hotspur 1

DOMINIC SOLANKE CAPITALISED on weak Manchester United defending as winless Tottenham recovered from Rodrigo Bentancur’s dismissal to snatch a late 1-1 draw as boos filled Old Trafford once again.

Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi led the bookmakers’ sack race odds heading into the weekend, with the Red Devils’ five-point return from five games now their joint worst start to a Premier League campaign.

Tottenham’s record was even worse having failed to win a match, and Bryan Mbeumo looked set to punish their latest wasteful display when turning to expertly fire home in the second half.

Bentancur’s sending-off for headbutting Luke Shaw increased the incline on Spurs’ uphill battle, but United failed to beat 10 men like against Manchester City in their last Premier League outing on home soil.

Sandro Tonali was allowed to send over a stoppage-time cross which Solanke glanced home following some woeful defending by Lisandro Martinez, who scored a calamitous own goal against Fulham last time out.

Boos greeted the final whistle, just as they had at half-time, as the Red Devils’ wait for a top-flight victory extended to a fourth match and Spurs showed mental strength that should mean their winless run ends soon enough.

In truth, it could have been so much better for Tottenham on a day they dominated early on.

All United had to cheer in the first half was rivals City’s guilty verdict, with Senne Lammens forced to produce an important third-minute save after his pass was cut out and skipper Solanke had an effort on goal.

Spluttering United continued to invite on De Zerbi’s purposeful visitors and Mohammed Kudus fizzed narrowly wide from a Savio cutback.

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Home fans were growing restless, meaning Matheus Cunha’s call for further backing irked some. Amad Diallo could have taken away some of the Old Trafford edginess had he beaten Antonin Kinsky on the break, but Carrick’s side continued to struggle after that point.

The first half was summed up when comedic Red Devils defending gave Conor Gallagher a chance that profligate Spurs failed to capitalise on, with boos greeting the half-time whistle.

Tottenham continued in careless fashion as Solanke turned over a Savio cross from close range, with a Youri Tielemans goal ruled out at the other end as Cunha cut back after the ball went out.

Both managers made changes in a bid to change the dynamics, including United introducing debutant Carlos Baleba, as play swung from end to end.

Bruno Fernandes failed with an audacious effort and Kobbie Mainoo produced a key challenge to turn a
Savio attempt over.

The opening goal felt like it could be vital and it arrived through a rare moment of United quality. Cunha played the ball to Mbeumo, who turned sharply and slammed home a low strike in front of the Stretford End in the 73rd minute.

It was a gut punch for Spurs compounded five minutes later.

Bentancur’s overzealous challenge drew a furious reaction from Shaw. The home left-back’s shove on the Spurs substitute led to a headbutt and a red card for the Uruguay international.

Shaw was booked along with Jan Paul van Hecke as tensions boiled over between the benches, with Mbeumo bursting through only to be denied by Kinsky as the hosts sought to settle any nerves.

Tottenham appeared to be running out of ideas, only for Martinez to be found wanting when a stoppage-time Tonali cross came in and Solanke got a touch that secured De Zerbi’s men a share of the spoils. Little wonder the Argentina international held his heads in his hands.

Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.