De Zerbi Thanks Bentancur After Red Card in Spurs' 1-1 Draw at Manchester United
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi praised Rodrigo Bentancur's red-card reaction as Spurs salvaged a 1-1 draw at Manchester United, with Dominic Solanke equalising in stoppage time.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi said he kissed and thanked Rodrigo Bentancur after the midfielder was sent off in a 1-1 Premier League draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Bentancur received a red card in the 78th minute for headbutting Luke Shaw during a melee that began when Shaw reacted to a reckless challenge by the Uruguayan. Referee Stuart Attwell dismissed the substitute after players separated the pair.
Despite playing with 10 men while trailing 1-0, Tottenham equalised through Dominic Solanke's header in the second minute of added time. De Zerbi told Sky Sports he "liked" the red-card situation because it showed the character and reaction his side needed, though he acknowledged Bentancur made a mistake. He added that with 10 players Spurs played with more courage and energy, and said for a long time Tottenham had lacked that blood and character.
The result leaves Tottenham winless after six league games, with three points, and in the relegation zone. It is only the fourth time the club have failed to win each of their opening six matches of a league season, after 2008-09, 1955-56 and 1912-13. Spurs have scored just three goals, fewer than any top-flight side except 19th-placed Coventry, despite spending over £250m on 10 summer signings.
De Zerbi said the Old Trafford performance was the first time this season Tottenham played as a team, attacking and defending together. Supporters may take encouragement from the fluid, high-tempo first-half display that troubled United. Some fans have suggested the display could be a turning point, though that remains opinion rather than a verified outcome.
Tottenham are set to travel to Marbella on Sunday for a warm-weather training camp aimed at helping the new-look squad bond. De Zerbi said the target is to build the team, describing the group as great players who are not yet a team. Spurs face newly promoted Coventry on Monday, 19 October before visiting Chelsea the following Saturday.
