Manchester United have kept their unbeaten run going by the skin of their teeth. The Red Devils drew 2-2 away to Tottenham Hotspur, and it took a late goal from Matthijs de Ligt to secure the point and extend the unbeaten run to five games.
Indeed, the Dutchman’s strike in the 96th minute was enough to bail his side out of yet another defeat under Ruben Amorim, although they had previously led in the game.
Bryan Mbeumo scored a header which put United 1-0 up at halftime.
However, Spurs struck back after lots of pressure in the second half. First, Mathys Tel fired home, with his effort flicking off De Ligt’s foot and into the back of Senne Lammens’ goal.
Richarlison thought he had won it in the 91st minute with a clever header, before United’s number four cancelled his goal out moments later.
It was a largely uninspiring performance from United. They played an incredibly passive game, happy to let Spurs dominate the ball. In total, Amorim’s side had just five shots, with the only two that were on target ending up in the back of the net.
Their first goalscorer, Mbeumo, continued his fine form in front of goal.
Bryan Mbeumo’s stats vs. Spurs
October’s Premier League player of the month is off the mark in November. Mbeumo has been one of the signings of the season, and now has seven goals and assists in just 12 games for the Red Devils.
His strike on Saturday lunchtime away to Spurs was one of good centre-forward play and a deft touch.
The United number 19 got in between two Lilywhites defenders, before glancing his header home into the back of the net.
That was not Mbeumo’s only positive contribution against Spurs, though. He was a constant problem for the opposition defence, having 44 touches and making three passes into the final third.
The attacker was excellent off the ball, too, and made four recoveries.
As well as the 26-year-old played against Spurs, however, there was a United player who arguably outshone him.
United’s standout player vs. Spurs
United’s draw away to Spurs was certainly frustrating. Amorim was critical of his side post-match, explaining that “we should do better, be more aggressive, feel the environment in the stadium, the three points were there.”
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However, one player, like Mbeumo, who stood out, was Amad. It was a different role for the Ivorian from the start today, operating as the right number 10 rather than at wing-back.
However, he was his usual energetic self, posing a threat going forward and worked hard defensively.
In fact, it was the attacker’s cross from which Mbeumo scored. What a delightful ball it was, too. Amad picked the ball up just inside the Spurs’ penalty area, lifting his cross from a standing position to the back post for his teammate to guide home.
That was one of two chances he created, on an afternoon where he also played four passes into Spurs’ third.
Touches
48
Passes completed
23/32
Duels won
7
Ball recoveries
5
Passes into final third
4
Chances created
2
Assists
1
Amad’s excellent performance certainly stood out, with journalist Liam Canning saying it was an “unbelievable” showing from the Ivorian attacker, while lauding him as the actual man of the match.
There is certainly a case to be made that Amad is becoming Amorim’s new version of Bruno Fernandes. Often, it is the Portuguese attacker who has shouldered the creative burden at United. Yet, it has been different this season, with the captain’s three assists matched by Amad.
A reason for that could be the role United’s manager uses his skipper in. A number 10 by trade, Fernandes now plays deeper in the pivot, and with their number 16 operating high and wide at wing-back or in the pockets as a number 10. He is certainly far more involved in the final third.
This is not a bad thing for United, who have relied solely on Fernandes for too many years. But, Amad is certainly taking up more creative responsibility, and is slowly becoming their new version of Fernandes.
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