Football Features

    Player ratings as Tottenham twice come from behind to earn a point at Old Trafford

    By James Amey

    Published: 18:48, 14 January 2024

    Manchester United and Tottenham played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. 

    Manchester United made the most of being on top in the first half. However, a completely different Spurs side came out after the interval to make it three consecutive Premier League draws away at ‘Big Six’ sides this season.

    Rasmus Højlund opened the scoring for Manchester United after just three minutes, smashing the ball past Vicario to score in back-to-back Premier League games. It takes his total to seven goals across all competitions this season.

    The visitors came back into the game and were rewarded with an equaliser from Richarlison, who headed in after an inch perfect delivery from Pedro Porro.

    Once again, like many of their trips to Manchester, Spurs found themselves behind before the break as Marcus Rashford finally found the back of the net at Old Trafford.

    However, just 50 seconds into the second half Ange Postecoglou’s side were level. Timo Werner cut inside to find Rodrigo Bentancur in the box, who took the ball on his left foot and lifted his finish past Andre Onana to secure his side an important point in the race for the top four.

    Here’s how the players rated at Old Trafford:

    Man Utd 

    Andre Onana – 6 – Making his final appearance before jetting off to join his international teammates for Afcon. Beaten at his near post by Bentancur, just one minute into the second half.

    Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7 – Booked for a late challenge on Brennan Johnson in the first half, but made some important tackles and clearances and gave Johnson very little space.

    Raphael Varane – 7 – Didn’t put a foot wrong in defence, making a joint-high five clearances for his side.

    Jonny Evans – 7 – Flicked Werner’s header past the post in the first half and was a ball magnet in the second, getting on the end and clearing countless Pedro Porro corners before being replaced by the returning Lisandro Martinez.

    Diogo Dalot – 8 – Cleared the ball off the line from Bentancur’s header in the first half and stuck to his task well at right-back against both Timo Werner and Destiny Udogie. Won 100% of his duels (9/9), won possession more times (8) and made more tackles (6) than any of his teammates and was defensively flawless.

    Christian Eriksen – 5 – Game seemed to pass him by. Uncharacteristically wasteful in possession before being replaced before the hour.

    Kobbie Mainoo – 7 – A level head on such young shoulders where nothing seems to faze him. Easily got out of tough situations on multiple occasions, looking like he has played the game for years.

    Alejandro Garnacho – 6 – Started brightly, enjoying a good battle with Destiny Udogie and running at the full-back whenever he could, but went missing for big chunks of the game.

    Bruno Fernandes – 6 – Started the move for Manchester United’s opening goal with a fantastic pass to find Rashford, wasteful on occasion but kept United ticking over.

    Marcus Rashford – 7 – Terrorised Pedro Porro now the left-hand side, driving at the Tottenham defence as Man Utd’s main attacking outlet. Rewarded with his first goal at Old Trafford since May with a smart finish that gave Vicario no chance.

    Rasmus Hojlund – 8 – Rocketed the ball past Vicario after just three minutes to make it goals in back-to-back Premier League games, becoming Manchester United’s top goalscorer across all competitions so far this season. Added an assist later in the first half for Marcus Rashford. His confidence is growing as he settles into life in England and will only get better.

    His opener was Manchester United’s earliest Premier League goal at Old Trafford (02:32) since December 2020 against Leeds (01:07, Scott McTominay).

    Substitutes:

    Scott McTominay (for Eriksen 58′) -6 – Bought on to steady the ship after Spurs’ impressive start to the second half.

    Lisandro Martinez (for Evans 63′) -6 – Made his first appearance since September.

    Antony (for Rashford 88′) -N/A – A late sub.

    Tottenham 

    Guglielmo Vicario – 7 – Had no chance with either of Manchester United’s first half goals, but commanded his area well.

    Pedro Porro – 8 – Struggled with Rashford at times in the first half, before a vast improvement defensively in the second. His deliveries from corners caused Man Utd all sorts of problems, providing the assist for Richarlison. He should have set up another, too, when Romero saw his header crash back off the crossbar. Porro has now provided more assists than any other Tottenham defender in a single Premier League season (7). Meanwhile, no defender has provided more assists across Europe’s top five leagues in 2023/24 (level with Kieran Trippier).

    Cristian Romero – 9 – Sensational. Spurs’ captain was aggressive, composed on the ball. He played some fantastic passes between the lines and timed his challenges perfectly all evening. A Rolls Royce of a defender that Spurs will be delighted to have back.

    Micky van de Ven – 7 – Gave everyone a scare when he went down with what turned out to be cramp, having settled straight perfectly back into the Spurs defence after spending so long out injured.

    Destiny Udogie – 8 – Another young player that has an incredible future. Strong, fast and a constant threat going forward, as well as being excellent when defending one-on-one. Was lucky not to score an own goal after heading the ball onto his own post.

    Rodrigo Bentancur – 8 – Thought he had scored in the first half when his header was cleared off the line and did finally find the back of the net just one minute into the second with a smart lifted finish past Onana. The key in midfield, constantly looking to receive the ball between the lines and drive Spurs forward.

    Oliver Skipp – 6 – Played a fantastic first time ball to put Werner away in the first half. Never stopped running, chasing down and pressing.

    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 5 – Needlessly gave away possession time after time and was lucky not to be punished with his sloppiness.

    Brennan Johnson – 4 – Overhit too many crosses when in dangerous positions and his decision making was poor. Tottenham’s weak link in attack and should be been taken off in the second half.

    Richarlison – 7 – Has been a completely different player since returning from surgery, full of confidence and back in the goals. He made it six in his last six games in the Premier League with a deft flick header into the corner to bring Spurs level in the first half.

    Since the start of December, no player has scored more goals in the Premier League than the Brazilian. His six goals in his last six Premier League games is as many as he’d netted in his last 47 combined appearances beforehand.

    Timo Werner – 7 – An impressive debut, showing how he will be a threat in Ange’s system. Fired in some dangerous balls and marked his first Spurs appearance with an assist less than a minute into the second period.

    Substitutes:

    Bryan Gil (for Werner 80′) – N/A – A late sub.

    Radu Dragusin (for Skipp 85′) – N/A – A late sub.

    Emerson Royal (for Van de Ven 89′) – N/A – A late sub.

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