Report: United keep CL hopes alive as Spurs stutter late on

MACHESTER United kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive while maintaining their unbeaten run of 11 consecutive games courtesy of a 1-1 draw on the road to Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night.

This second fixture of the day signalled the start to the first full weekend of Premier League matches since the season resumed on Wednesday following the suspension imposed in mid-March due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

United, lagging behind for most of the encounter before drawing parity through a well-taken Bruno Fernandes penalty in the 81st minute in this one, displayed good form before the unscheduled break as they went on an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions including three draws.

Pictures: Tottenham vs Manchester United - Manchester Evening News

Jose Mourinho’s Spurs, on the other hand, were already showing signs of frailty having failed to win their last six games in all competitions, making it seven after their latest showing. With that Mourinho, against his former employer, failed to close the gap to the top four. Steve Bergwijn’s 26th-minute opener appeared set to give The Special One what would have been an uber-delightful victory over United.

This was until United were rewarded for an improved second-half display with an equaliser after Paul Pogba, on as a substitute as he returned after a long injury lay-off, produced a burst into the box that drew a rash challenge from Eric Dier. Step up Fernandes and the Portuguese playmaker who turned over to United from Sporting CP in January, showed excellent composure to fire home from 12 yards out and sending Hugo Lloris in the wrong direction. 

It appeared the Portuguese would have the chance to score again from the spot when the referee adjudged he had been fouled by Dier, but a VAR check reversed the on-field call. Ultimately, the Red Devils held on handsomely to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 games ahead of their tie against Sheffield United in the league on Wednesday, as part of a clogged fixture schedule. Here, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will hope to continue their purple patch ahead of edging closer and closer towards conforming their place in next season’s flagship Europen club cup competition.

Do you think Manchester United put on a worthy showing tonight? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.