Premier League: Matthijs de Ligt's Late Header Earns Draw for United

Manchester United salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling Premier League encounter at Old Trafford, with Matthijs de Ligt netting a last-minute equaliser. The match prevented either side from securing second place in the league table.

Tottenham looked poised for victory after a comeback that saw them take the lead late in the game. Mathys Tel had initially levelled the score for Tottenham after they had gone behind, and Richarlison's header in the 91st minute appeared to have sealed the deal for the visitors. However, De Ligt's powerful header in the dying moments extended United's unbeaten streak to five matches.

Following this draw, both teams now sit on 18 points from 11 matches. Tottenham remains in third position, while Manchester United occupies seventh place, separated by goal difference. This game marked an eighth consecutive match without a victory for United against Spurs.

The previous meeting between the teams was significant, with Tottenham claiming a 1-0 win in the Europa League final last May, a result that ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club and secured their place in the Champions League, while Manchester United missed out on European competition.

Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United manager, has been using extra training time to build momentum at the club after a tough first season. Bryan Mbeumo, who joined United from Brentford for £65 million in July, has been a standout performer and was named Premier League Player of the Month for October. He continued his excellent form by scoring his fourth goal in as many matches, connecting with a cross from Amad Diallo in the 32nd minute.

Tottenham faced scrutiny after their lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in their last London derby. However, they showed marked improvement in the second half against United after a disappointing first period. Senne Lammens, Tottenham's goalkeeper, made two vital saves, first denying Cristian Romero and later stopping Joao Palhinha's effort. A potential equaliser by Brennan Johnston was ruled out for offside.

As the match progressed, Tottenham's attacking momentum began to wane, leading to frustration among fans when manager Thomas Frank opted to substitute Xavi Simons. Nevertheless, Frank's changes ultimately influenced the match's flow. Destiny Udogie assisted Tel's deflected shot, which found the top corner, while Wilson Odobert, who came on as a substitute, set up Richarlison’s header that initially gave Tottenham the lead.

Richarlison's celebration was highly emotional, as he removed his shirt and was visibly moved. However, his joy was short-lived when United equalised shortly thereafter. De Ligt took advantage of poor marking at the back post, scoring from a corner delivered by Bruno Fernandes, his header proving too strong for Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and allowing United to secure an important point.