Bruno Fernandes’ late penalty denied Jose Mourinho victory against his former team as Manchester United claimed a 1-1 draw against Tottenham on their return to Premier League action.
After a three-month period without any professional football, two of the top-four challengers went head-to-head in a showpiece match in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Inside the empty Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, all 22 players took a knee in tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and applauded NHS workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
Paul Pogba, who hadn’t made an appearance since Boxing Day due to injury, was only on the bench but Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford were both named in their side’s respective lineups.
The first 20 minutes represented a quiet opening to the game, with both teams keen to get a feel for the strange conditions. But it was Spurs who struck the first blow.
Steven Bergwijn capitalised on a loose ball after Man United lost possession in midfield and the Dutchman’s bamboozled Harry Maguire with a mazy run before firing at David De Gea, who palmed the ball into his net in a manner which would have left the Spaniard cursing in frustration.
That goal gave Spurs a new lease of confidence as they countered with pace and direction with United struggling to make an impression in the final third.
De Gea redeemed himself with a fine save to deny Heung-min Son as Spurs went into the break deservedly in front.
Solskjaer reacted just after the hour mark, with Spurs pressing for a second which would surely kill off United, by sending on Paul Pogba for his first appearance since Boxing Day along with Mason Greenwood.
The visitors looked rejuvenated by the change in balance, with Pogba immediately looking to link up with Bruno Fernandes. The pair combined to set up Anthony Martial for a chance, only for Davinson Sanchez to produce a crucial block.
It was Martial who had a chance to equalise minutes later and this time the Frenchman did everything right, with a sweetly-struck effort towards the top corner. But Hugo Lloris threw out his glove to tip it just over the bar.
But United finally made it count and it was Pogba who was the architect. The midfielder danced by Eric Dier on the byline and won a penalty after a clumsy challenge from the centre-back. Up stepped Fernandes to slot into the corner and United looked favourites to win it.
In the final minute of normal time, referee Jonathan Moss pointed to the spot after Dier was adjudged to have fouled Fernandes. But VAR correctly overturned the decision to come to a furious Mourinho’s rescue as the spoils were shared.
