Ryan Mason hails ‘outstanding’ Tottenham players after comeback draw with Manchester United

Ryan Mason praised his “outstanding” Tottenham side for fighting back to a 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Thursday night.

United went ahead early in the first half, needing just seven minutes to score through Jadon Sancho.

The away side doubled their lead just before half time as Marcus Rashford scored, but in the second half they threw away their advantage.

Pedro Porro scored early in the second period before Harry Kane – reportedly a target for United in the summer – teed up current team-mate Heung-min Son for a 79th minute equaliser.

After a 6-1 rout at the hands of Newcastle on Sunday, Mason had asked for a reaction from his players, and he acknowledged going down could have seen heads dropped.

“Pleased with the reaction at half time,” he told BT Sport. “I thought the second half we were outstanding. The character we showed off the back of what happened Sunday, and going 2-0 down at half-time.

“I’m very happy and I hope our fans and everyone can feel we are a team. We ran, we fought for each other. In the second half we could have scored more.

“We had our moments, sometimes in football goals change games. They scored a good first goal, there were maybe doubts in the players’ head. We were aggressive in the second half and played a lot of the game in their half, and that was very pleasing.

“I know I’ve got men who when they pull together, they’re a very strong team. It’s my job to inspire them.

“I was a player here. I know what it’s like when we’ve got the fans with us, and we’ve got to get the fans with us.

“I’ve got a team who are willing to fight.”

United remain in fourth place for the final Champions League spot, six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, and with two games in hand on the Londoners.