Manchester United was able to share the spoils with their hosts, Tottenham Hotspurs, in the Premier League after playing 1-1 draw in a keenly contested affair.
Both teams are looking for qualifications for European places, respectively. Man Utd was trailing before leveling the tie through Bruno Hernadez’s penalty after Paul Pogba, who was a second-half substitute, was hauled down clumsily in the box by Eric Dier.
The Frenchman returned to action for the first time since 26 December, having been out with an ankle injury after surgery. His introduction changed the tie that the White was dominating while looking for the second goal to kill off the game. The game also brought to bear the partnership between Pogba and Hernadez, which looked dazzling from his introduction. Provided Pogba is fit; he could be the final piece of the jigsaw for the Red Devils that doesn’t have a recognizable starting eleven at the moment.
Pogba demonstrated his creativity to make a difference as United battle for a place in the top four.
David de Gea couldn’t stop Steven Bergwijn from putting the host into the lead with a powerful 27th-minute drive. Fernadez penalty was a relief for the visitors in the cavernous spaces of the deserted Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – as the match was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Manchester continued from where they stopped after the goal and almost got the second. Spurs, however, survived a last-minute scare when referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot again when Dier collided with Fernandes. The video assistant quickly overruled his decision.
During the game which De Gea and Hugo Lloris made some superb saves, it was evident that Premier League actions have been missed.
The result leaves United in fifth place, four ahead of Spurs. The Red Devils have gone 11 games unbeaten in all competitions.
Spurs are currently in eighth place, six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the chase for Champions League places.
‘A strange penalty’ – Jose Mourinho
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 after the game, Spurs coach Jose Mourinho described the penalty as strange. Mourinho, who rues the absence of Dele Alli and Lucas Moura, was trying to look for a nice word lauded his lads for being compact and organized.
While nothing that the had the game under control, the former Man Utd coach admitted that the last 15 minutes was difficult for the team.
“Lucas and Dele are players we need, and we could feel that today when you look to their bench and then to ours the difference in attacking options. Hopefully, they will be back for West Ham because at this moment, it is very, very important to change players.
On the penalty, the Portuguese said VAR us a different position while Pogba and the referee did their jobs.
Watch the highlight below.
