Matthijs de Ligt struck in the 96th minute to rescue a 2-2 draw for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur, ensuring the Red Devils extended their unbeaten run in this fixture to eight matches.

Separated by just four points at the end of last season — and level on goal difference ahead of kick-off — both sides looked evenly matched in a cautious opening spell that produced little early goalmouth action. The cagey nature of the encounter echoed their meeting in May’s UEFA Europa League final, a scenario that initially suited a Spurs side who had conceded six of their eight Premier League goals this season before half-time.

Despite a quiet start, United capitalised on Tottenham’s first lapse of concentration around the half-hour mark. The hosts failed to clear a sustained United attack, allowing the visitors to recycle possession out wide. Amad Diallo floated a teasing cross to the back post, where Bryan Mbeumo rose superbly to nod home at the near post — his fifth goal in nine appearances against Spurs.

That opener left Tottenham with an uphill task, particularly given they had recovered just two points from losing positions this campaign. Determined to respond, Spurs came out firing after the break, only to be frustrated by visiting goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The Belgian produced two excellent saves — first to deny Cristian Romero’s inventive flick and then to push away João Palhinha’s low volley.

The home fans thought they had their equaliser just past the hour when Brennan Johnson coolly slotted into the bottom corner, but VAR intervened to rule the goal out for offside. Moments later, Bruno Fernandes went close for United on the counter, blazing over after being played through by Amad.

Tottenham finally found their breakthrough through substitute Mathys Tel, who made an immediate impact. Just five minutes after coming on, the French forward met Destiny Udogie’s cross, turned sharply away from De Ligt, and fired home with the aid of a deflection to level the scores.

The game then descended into chaos. United’s Benjamin Šeško was denied a clear chance by a superb Micky van de Ven tackle before suffering an injury that left the visitors to finish the match with ten men. Spurs appeared to have completed the turnaround when a late corner broke to Wilson Odobert, whose shot was expertly redirected into the corner by Richarlison.

However, the drama wasn’t over. Deep into stoppage time, United forced a corner of their own. Fernandes delivered perfectly to the back post, where De Ligt rose highest to power in a header and snatch a last-gasp point — preserving United’s five-match unbeaten run in all competitions and denying Tottenham what had seemed a certain victory.