Ratcliffe given immediate reality check as scale of Man Utd job laid bare

14 January 2024 , 19:33

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe watches on alongside Sir Dave Brailsford (Image: PA)

Sir Jim Ratcliffe said before the game buying a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United was the most exciting deal he has ever done.

‌After watching his first game from the Old Trafford directors’ box sat alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, you have to wonder whether he still feels the same. This is a long way from being the glory days of Eric Cantona and Co which Ratcliffe remembers so fondly from his days as a fan.

‌United look a team lacking in identity, playing on the break while looking horribly vulnerable in defence. The team needs as much work as the decaying old stadium. It was a good game yet that was as much because of Tottenham ’s attacking style and these days title-chasing teams think it is a bad result when they do not win at Old Trafford.

United’s point moves them up to the lofty heights of seventh in the table, eight points off a Champions League place and, incredibly, they have a goal difference of minus five. Even lowly Luton Town have scored as many goals as United this season.

Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford were on target but for long periods the home fans sat watching through their fingers whenever a Spurs cross went into the United box. Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who scored the visitors’ second leveller, was easily the best player on the pitch and no home player remotely came close to his level of performance.

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United full back Diogo Dalot was as good as anyone for the home side but this fixture once prompted Fergie to tell his players: “Lads, it’s Tottenham.” They used to blow them away as Spurs were a soft touch and yet now Ange Postecoglou has instilled a spirit and determination which may not deliver the title but they are making rapid progress.

‌You have to applaud their resilience as the visitors went behind after just three minutes. Bruno Fernandes ’ ball over the top found Rashford who swapped passes with Hojlund before the Denmark striker smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Timo Werner was lively and dangerous on his Tottenham debut (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Tottenham used to crumble when that happened. Instead, they came back and were the better team. New boy Timo Werner was lively and dangerous even if his finishing and shooting was as wayward as it was in his Chelsea days.

Werner saw one effort deflected wide by Jonny Evans while Bentancur saw another cleared off the line by Dalot. But the equaliser was coming. It duly arrived after 19 minutes. Pedro Porro’s corner found Richarlison and the Brazil striker glanced a header into the far corner.

‌Old Trafford was so quiet and flat. Alejandro Garnacho was having a ding-dong battle with Tottenham full back Destiny Udogie who had an amazing let-off when he headed against his own post with the United winger closing in behind him.

Rasmus Hojlund celebrates his goal (Paul Currie/REX/Shutterstock)

‌United were rather lucky to go back in front after 40m minutes when Rashford swapped passes with Hojlund, Rashford then nipped in front of Pedro Porro and steered into the far corner. Cristian Romero should have levelled again in first half injury time but headed against the bar from point blank range.

But the visitors did not have to wait much longer for an equaliser. It came 50 seconds after the restart - even before Erik ten Hag was out for the second half. Oliver Skipp drove forward, Werner squared it and Bentancur danced his way through the United defence, sidestepped Evans and then drove home.

‌The second half was shorter on chances but Tottenham probably edged it. However, United will be kicking themselves for not nicking it injury time as substitute Scott McTominay headed over from close range. It was a gift. Sadly for Ratcliffe, United have even lost their knack of scoring winners in Fergie time.

John Cross