It was the game neither manager dared to lose and in the end they didn’t.
That said, a draw does little to ease the pressure on Michael Carrick or Roberto de Zerbi. Manchester United have just one league win from six outings so far whilst Spurs are winless still, albeit they moved off the bottom of the table after this point.
Spurs came out the traps much quicker than their hosts. A tame Dominic Solanke effort failed to punish Senne Lammens, before Mohammed Kudus wastefully fired wide after a sprightly counter.
The anguish was written all over the face of manager Roberto de Zerbi as the Italian gesticulated on the touchline at his side’s profligacy.
Another fine chance arrived just on the cusp of half-time as Conor Gallagher ghosted into the area only to fluff his lines when through on goal.
The home players were greeted to a few boos as they trudged down the tunnel at the break. The theme of the game continued in the second half with United disjointed and Spurs continuing to dominate although Solanke blazed over from a Savio centre.
Perhaps predictably, that wastefulness was indeed punished when Bryan Mbeumo fired home from the left hand side of the penalty box with just under 20 minutes left with what was a rare attempt at goal for United.
A major flashpoint then arrived when Spurs were reduced to ten men after a fiery coming together between Rodrigo Bentancur and Luke Shaw. The former was shown a red card for appearing to headbutt Shaw, who reacted angrily to a rash challenge on him by the Uruguayan.
Just when it looked as though the hosts would see out the win Solanke eventually came good as he got the slightest of contact on a Sandro Tonali cross into the box and saw the ball nestle in the far corner.
Carrick said post-match: “It was a mixed game. We found it tough to start with. For a number of reasons, we were not quite there. You could see it was a challenging time.
“But the lads grew into the game, in the second half I thought we were better in everything. To get the game as we wanted it, in such a good position – we should see it through. We have to manage those situations. That’s two late goals which have hurt us, and things look very different. That’s the reality.”
De Zerbi reflected: “We suffered in the game. I like the situation we were in with the red card. We need this situation. We have not accepted the defeat. We have to react in all ways we can. It is a bad way, it is not the right way. I kiss Rodrigo Bentancur in the dressing room. Football is character.
“We win the game if we play as a team. We didn’t win this game playing as a team. If we play every game like we did today, we will win many games.”
