On British millionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s debut match at Old Trafford, United wasted a two-goal lead against Tottenham.
Tottenham twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe attending his first game since agreeing to a share takeover at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe’s agreement to buy a 25% stake and take control of soccer operations has given optimism to a club that has fallen from grace in the English game under its current owners, the Glazers. But it’s a long way back, and fans will continue to oppose the Americans’ involvement, no matter how minor, as Ratcliffe gets a firsthand view at the difficulty he faces in the draw with Spurs.
Ratcliffe, 71, grew up following United and sat next to previous manager Alex Ferguson in the directors’ box at Old Trafford. He barely had three minutes to celebrate when summer signing Rasmus Hojlund slammed home a shot into the roof of the net.
Richarlison equalised from a corner in the 19th minute, his sixth goal in as many Premier League games, but Marcus Rashford restored the hosts’ lead in the 40th following a one-two with Hojlund.
Cristian Romero struck the United crossbar in stoppage time, and Rodrigo Bentancur equalized for Spurs 49 seconds later, capitalizing on some shoddy home defending.
Ange Postecoglou’s visitors appeared to have the best chance of winning, but United escaped their tenth Premier League loss of the season in front of Ratcliffe and his INEOS crew.
From United’s standpoint, everything had started off well.
Andre Onana, in his final match before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, gathered a cross and put it wide to Alejandro Garnacho, who passed it to Bruno Fernandes.
The captain dropped Rashford behind to surge forward and then cut inside, with Destiny Udogie’s subsequent challenge sending the ball into Hojlund’s path rather than stopping the counterattack.
The 20-year-old Dane took the ball away from Spurs’ defenders, then steadied himself with another touch before hitting a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
Rashford attempted to score a second by meeting Christian Eriksen’s deep corner with an unorthodox volley across goal, but Spurs quickly awoke. Pedro Porro’s attempt was comfortably saved, but Jonny Evans had to be alert to prevent Spurs newcomer Timo Werner from causing difficulties with a looping header.
Diogo Dalot cleared Bentancur’s header from the subsequent set-piece, but United’s fate was sealed in the 19th minute with another corner kick. Porro swung in from the left, and Richarlison showed power in a packed six-yard box to glance home, extending Spurs’ league scoring streak to a club record 33 games.
United’s pressure persisted, resulting in a 40th-minute goal.
Rashford exchanged a one-two with Hojlund at the edge of the 18-yard box, then finished with a low shot into the bottom corner.
As he celebrated, the England forward made a talking gesture with his hand, as if to convey a message to those who questioned him. Rashford was denied another goal, but Spurs came near in stoppage time, with Romero springing himself to meet a corner and sending a header crashing off the crossbar.
Postecoglou’s team was not disheartened by the near-miss and pulled level moments later in the second half. Werner kept the ball on the left and sent it to Bentancur, who drove into the area, past Evans, and drew Spurs level.
Richarlison forced a low save from Onana, and Werner hooked over as the visitors attempted to score, but they were unable to convert on their several set-piece opportunities.
