Matthijs de Ligt salvaged a vital point for Manchester United with a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser as the Red Devils held Tottenham to a thrilling 2–2 draw in North London.

The late header extended United’s unbeaten run to five games and denied Spurs what would have been a memorable comeback victory.

Tottenham looked destined to snatch all three points after Richarlison’s stoppage-time header had turned the game on its head, only for De Ligt to rise highest from a corner moments later and nod home to stun the home crowd.

It was a cruel twist for Thomas Frank’s side, who had appeared on course for their fifth consecutive win over United.

The result keeps Spurs in third place in the Premier League table, while United remain in the hunt for a Champions League spot, sitting seventh.

The first half was largely controlled by Manchester United, who took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo. The winger capitalised on some hesitant defending to slot home after a slick counterattack, giving the Red Devils a 1–0 advantage at the break.

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The hosts were booed off at half-time for the second consecutive weekend, as frustration from supporters grew over the team’s inconsistent displays.

Frank’s substitutions would later prove both controversial and decisive. With his side struggling for ideas, the Tottenham boss replaced Xavi Simons with Mathys Tel in the 79th minute, a decision that drew loud boos from the stands.

But just five minutes later, Tel vindicated his manager’s gamble, spinning brilliantly inside the box before firing a deflected shot past Senne Lammens to level the game at 1–1.

Sensing momentum, the Spurs pushed forward in search of a winner. Their persistence was rewarded when Richarlison, who had endured a frustrating evening, rose highest in added time to head home from a cross and send the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into raptures.

However, jubilation quickly turned to disbelief. Deep into stoppage time, with United reduced to 10 men following an earlier dismissal, De Ligt met a well-delivered corner to nod past Lammens, silencing the home supporters and securing a share of the spoils for Erik ten Hag’s men.

For Tottenham, the draw will feel like an opportunity missed, especially after conceding from a set piece so late in the match.

As for United, the dramatic point further underscores their resilience under pressure and their steady resurgence in form.