Goals from and Son Heung-min helped Tottenham battle back from 2-0 down at half-time to draw 2-2 with on Thursday night.
In a pivotal game in the top four race, first-half goals from and Marcus Rashford looked to have all but sealed a routine United victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, Spurs had other ideas, brilliantly earning a point to keep their faint Champions League hopes alive, while Erik ten Hag’s team were left to rue a wasted opportunity to virtually book their place in the competition for next season
Under new interim manager Ryan Mason, Tottenham looked transformed from Cristian Stellini’s side that lost 6-1 at Newcastle last Sunday, conceding five goals in the opening 21 minutes.
History looked like it might repeat itself for when Sancho opened the scoring after just seven minutes with a fabulous finish, with the home side’s defending leaving a lot to be desired.
The winger came close to a second later on but his deflected effort was cleared off the line by Ivan Perisic, while Fraser Forster made several good stops to deny Bruno Fernandes and Rashford.
Though United had the better of the ball, Richarlison and Perisic continually caused problems down the left-flank with the latter’s flicked header from a corner forcing David de Gea into a great save.
But just as it looked as if Spurs were getting back in the game, United hit back with Rashford finishing a quick counter just seconds after De Gea had denied Perisic from a one v one.
But whatever Mason said to his side at half-time appeared to do the trick with Clement Lenglet heading onto the bar from close range following a scramble in the box just minutes after the break.
They eventually got their goal in the 56th minute courtesy of a stunning, outside of the boot volley from Porro who was following up on Harry Kane’s blocked shot.
Once again, United looked to hit back instantly and should have restored their two-goal cushion when Fernandes weaved his way into the box but fired his shot into the crossbar before Forster saved from Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the rebound.
A now revitalised Spurs continued to press and probe United’s defence but lacked a clinical edge, with Eric Dier squandering the biggest chance when he, unmarked, headed wide from just a few yards out.
They found their finishing boots in the end however, with Son tapping home at the back post from Kane’s low cross with just over 10 minutes to go to set up a grandstand finish.
Both sides pushed for a winner but couldn’t generate too many meaningful chances, with Casemiro coming closest with his header sailing just over the bar.
The result means United remain fourth in the table but now two points behind Newcastle who thrashed Everton 4-1.
Tottenham have moved up to fifth, six points behind United having played two games more, and though their top four hopes are still slim they’ll have renewed hope for the rest of the run-in.
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