Manchester United oversaw a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in their opening game of the calendar year.
The Reds led twice at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, but Spurs were able to equalise both times and ensure that the points were shared between the two top-four rivals.
Erik ten Hag, again, will know that United’s performance was nowhere near the standard it should’ve been. Spurs travelled to Manchester with a depleted squad due to injuries and international absences yet the home side were unable to take advantage of matters or sway the tie in their favour.
Rashford, who has frequently come under fire for his showings this season, registered his fourth goal of the campaign when netting United’s second in the 40th minute, and club legend Roy Keane was impressed with the passage of play he saw leading up the finish.
Keane lauds Rashford for first-half goal
The England international played a one-two with fellow goalscorer Hojlund before readying himself and dispatching a strike straight into the bottom corner. In the Sky Sports studio, Keane reacted: “It was beautiful, a really good goal. This is what you want to see from Rashford. United winning the ball high up the pitch, pass[ing] it forward quickly, not overthinking it.
“Marcus here gets in this wide position, and I don’t know why more players don’t try one-twos anymore, it seems to be gone out of the game. Lovely quick play. It was Marcus at his best, and I loved this; it was so simple but done quickly in the attacking third. We need to see more of it.”
