5 talking points as Rashford ends drought but Spurs fight back twice at Man Utd

14 January 2024 , 18:26

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Manchester United played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in a clash that saw the hosts surrender the lead twice.

Erik ten Hag's men welcomed the north Londoners to Old Trafford knowing a win was essential if they were to keep their hopes of European football of some kind next season alive. Things got off to a stellar start thanks to Rasmus Hojlund.

The expensive summer signing smashed the hosts in front inside three minutes in front of part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who was in attendance for the first time since his purchase of 25 per cent of the club was confirmed on Christmas Eve. It was a lead that didn't last long, with Richarlison heading in Spurs' equaliser a quarter of an hour later.

Destiny Udogie nearly gifted United the lead once again when he tried to head a cross back to Vicario but instead rattled the frame of his own goal. The Red Devils didn't need to curse their luck for long, as Marcus Rashford arrowed him a precise finish into the bottom corner to restore United's lead.

The strike marked Rashford's first goal at Old Trafford in more than 16 hours worth of football. 54 seconds into the second-half and it was cancelled out, with Rodrigo Bentancur making his way into the penalty area unchallenged before firing beyond Andre Onana.

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Old Trafford was lifted just after the hour mark when Lisandro Martinez made his first appearance since sustaining injury in September. The Argentina international was brought on in place of Jonny Evans.

Scott McTominay had a chance to snatch it right at the death, but the Scotland international headed over the bar with 30 seconds to spare, much to the dismay of the home crowd.

Mirror Football has analysed five talking points from this hard-fought contest where the spoils were shared.

Hojlund's screamer

It didn't take long for Rasmus Hojlund to fire Man Utd in front (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

So much has been made of Rasmus Hojlund's struggles in front of goal so far this term. It took the £72million man until Boxing Day before he netted his first, but took him just two minutes against Spurs to get his second.

The former Atalanta striker now has two goals in two successive games at Old Trafford after his winner against Aston Villa last time out. That was a stellar strike, but this was one was even better.

It looked as if the young Dane had actually got in the way of Marcus Rashford during what was a promising chance, but the ball eventually found itself at the feet of Hojlund and he made no mistake, scoring in emphatic fashion.

The 20-year-old lashed home a thunderous left-footed strike that left Guglielmo Vicario with no chance. Hojlund handed United the kind of start he'd have been dreaming of when he went to bed on Saturday night.

Richarlison's fine form continues

Richarlison jumped highest to nod Spurs level

Spurs ramped the pressure right up on United from the moment they fell behind and after 15 minutes of promising attacking play, the visitors drew level. It was their in-form forward who found the back of the net, with Richarlison rising highest from an inviting corner.

The Brazilian jumped higher than Aaron Wan-Bissaka to glance his headed effort into the bottom corner, leaving both Andre Onana and Diogo Dalot rooted on the goal-line, helplessly watching as it nestled into the back of the net.

The ex-Everton man now has six goals in his last six games, with his effort also extending Spurs' run of scoring at least one goal in their last 33 games - which marks the longest run in the club's recent history.

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Rashford breaks home duck

Marcus Rashford bagged his first home goal of the season

For the first time since May of last year, Rashford scored a goal in front of the Old Trafford faithful and some goal it was. United's No.10 linked up with Hojlund, getting the better of Pedro Porro before arrowing a calm finish beyond Vicario.

The goal came at a time when Spurs were undeniably on top, but Rashford was giving Porro headaches throughout the contest and it was only a matter of time before the 26-year-old struck.

United's attackers have struggled so desperately for goals so far this term, particularly in the first-half when before kick-off the Red Devils had scored just once. However, their main men were on form inside the opening 45 minutes this time and they had the strikes to show for it.

Werner's first outing

Timo Werner got an assist on his Spurs debut after setting up Rodrigo Bentancur's goal (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Former Chelsea flop Timo Werner was thrust into the thick of things straight away just four days after his loan from Red Bull Leipzig was confirmed.

The Germany international had played 17 minutes across the last two months coming into the game, but Postecoglou wasted little time in blooding him into the Spurs set-up. Werner certainly didn't display any nerves, with the forward letting one effort fly from range early on - but it flew high and wide of Onana's goal.

The Leipzig loanee was also on the end of some crunching tackles from Dalot, who was tasked with dealing with Werner for United instead of usual right-back Wan-Bissaka, who started this game out on the left.

Werner arguably should have done better with his second attempt on goal, but could only drag his left-footed effort wide of the upright. However, he did have an assist to show for himself, playing the ball into Rodrigo Bentancur's path for Spurs' second. It means he has more assists at Old Trafford than United winger Antony this term.

What this means for the table

Tottenham remain in fifth as a result of the draw, while United move up to seventh.

With the honours remaining even and both sides taking a point from the contest, only one of them moves up the table. United move two places up into seventh, leapfrogging both Brighton and Chelsea.

The result, of course does nothing for Ten Hag's sides dismal goal difference, with the Red Devils still boasting a record of minus five.

As for Spurs, they remain in fifth, level on points with fourth-placed north London rivals Arsenal. Postecoglou's side have played one game more and have an inferior goal difference to their arch enemies.

While a point was probably the fairest outcome, both teams will come away from this frustrated, knowing they had the chances to leave with more.

Josh O'Brien

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