De Zerbi hails Bentancur’s resolve after Tottenham midfielder’s red card at Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi praised Rodrigo Bentancur for refusing to accept defeat after the midfielder was sent off during his side’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Bentancur was dismissed in the 78th minute, five minutes after Bryan Mbeumo had put Manchester United ahead, for headbutting Luke Shaw following a heated confrontation.

Tottenham were reduced to 10 players for the closing stages but rescued a point when Dominic Solanke headed in an equaliser during stoppage time. The result means Spurs remain without a win.

De Zerbi said Bentancur’s reaction showed the determination he wants to see from his players, even though it led to the midfielder’s dismissal.

“I kiss Rodrigo and say thanks,” the Italian said at his post-match news 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.”

The Tottenham manager said he had embraced Bentancur in the dressing room after the match and explained why he valued the incident’s underlying attitude.

“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.”

De Zerbi viewed the performance as an important development for a side he believes had previously lacked the required unity and intensity.

“Today has been the game where for the first time this season we showed we are a team,” he 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.”

Although encouraged by the display at Old Trafford, De Zerbi said Tottenham still had work to do before they could become the finished team he wants.

“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.