Roberto De Zerbi praises Rodrigo Bentancur for showing character after Old Trafford red card

Spurs fought back to earn a dramatic 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, despite playing the final stages with 10 men.

Bryan Mbeumo gave the hosts the lead in the 73rd minute before Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off five minutes later for headbutting Luke Shaw after a heated confrontation.

Yet Dominic Solanke headed home a stoppage-time equaliser to secure a precious point for the still-winless Spurs.

De Zerbi particularly appreciated Bentancur's reaction, despite it earning a red card.

"I kiss Rodrigo and say thanks," the Italian said in his post-match press conference.

"In that moment, maybe with 10 players, we played with more courage, more energy. For a long time Tottenham played without this blood, this character."

"I kissed Bentancur in the dressing room because we need this type of reaction, this character. Football is character.

"I liked the situation with the red card. We need at this moment the situation, not to bring a red card but we need to not accept the defeat."

The manager felt the display marked a significant step forward for his team.

"Today has been the game where for the first time this season we showed we are a team," De Zerbi said.

"We played for the teammates, we played together, we stayed inside of the game in every situation, and we attacked as a team and defended as a team.

"I'm very happy because I've seen the right spirit, the right character and I want to start from this character, this reaction, this behaviour."

Looking ahead, De Zerbi stressed the work still required for the group to reach their potential.

"Now the target is to build the team. We are a great group of players, but we are not a team yet, and to be a team is to play for the teammates, suffer together, attack together," he said.

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