Despite leading twice, Man Utd were still held to a 2-2 draw by visiting Tottenham in round 21 of the Premier League.
On the day billionaire Jim Ratcliffe visited Old Trafford for the first time since taking over football operations, Man Utd did not enjoy complete joy. Striker Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring early, but centre-forward Richarlison equalised in the first half with a header from a set-piece. Man Utd took the lead again through Marcus Rashford, but a loose defence cost the home side two points from Rodrigo Bentancur's close-range strike.
Striker Richarlison (left) headed the equalizer for Tottenham against Man Utd at Old Trafford, Manchester, round 21 of the Premier League on the evening of January 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Before this match, Man Utd had only scored two goals in the first half at home in the Premier League. So many people were surprised when they opened the scoring in the third minute, thanks to striker Hojlund, who had only scored one goal in the tournament. After the ball bounced off Rashford's shot, the Danish striker fired a left-footed shot from more than 10 meters away into the near corner, giving goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario no chance to save.
Tottenham responded shortly after, from a left corner, when defender Pedro Porro crossed for Richarlison to head home an unmarked equaliser. Defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka appeared to be at fault for failing to keep up with the visiting striker.
The two teams played an exciting back-and-forth game after that. At one point, seeing the midfield was unstable, coach Erik ten Hag sent midfielder Casemiro out to warm up. The Old Trafford crowd enthusiastically chanted his name after about four months of absence. However, the Brazilian midfielder did not play a single minute in this match.
However, Man Utd still took the lead once again, also from a rather shaky play. Hojlund exchanged passes with Rashford in the penalty area on the left, allowing the English striker to put the ball into the far corner to score. It was the first time both Man Utd strikers scored in a Premier League match this season.
Hojlund celebrates opening the score for Man Utd. Photo: Reuters
However, the defense became a burden for Man Utd when they conceded a goal in the first minute of the second half from a familiar play. New signing Timo Werner escaped down the left, then passed back to the second line for Bentancur to rush in without anyone marking him. Ai comfortably led the ball down the left penalty area, then shot high, leaving Andre Onana unable to react.
The second half was much less exciting, with both teams seemingly exhausted. Coach Ten Hag brought on centre-back Lisandro Martinez after a four-month absence, helping the home side's defence to play more solidly. However, up front, the "Red Devils" rarely got the ball into the visitors' penalty area. Their best chance came in the final minute, when Alejandro Garnacho crossed from the left for Scott McTominay to head in an open position, but the ball went just over the bar. He and coach Ten Hag both held their heads in regret after this situation.
The draw was enough to help Man Utd climb two places to seventh in the Premier League, eight points behind fourth-placed Arsenal. The Red Devils' next match is in the FA Cup on January 28, while Tottenham host Man City two days before that.
Hoang An
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