Frank should avoid ever starting those two £130k-a-week Tottenham stars in the same lineup again.h

Tottenham Hotspur created a celebratory mood late on in their chaotic Premier League meeting with Manchester United in N17. Two late goals had flipped the match in their favour and the home supporters were seconds away from celebrating all three points.

However, Matthijs de Ligt headed in a corner deep into stoppage time, leaving Thomas Frank’s side with only a draw.

Deflation swept around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite their attacking potential, this team remains inconsistent. They are third in the Premier League after 11 matches, but there are clear areas for improvement, both in mentality and in the final third.

Tottenham were below par in the first half. Although the performance lifted after half-time, it still wasn’t enough, as Ruben Amorim’s recent momentum continued.

Spurs’ Worst Performers vs Man Utd

This dramatic 2-2 draw highlighted Tottenham’s weaknesses. Frank’s side struggled badly to create chances in the first half and their record at home remains troubling. Since the start of last season, Spurs have won only 7 of 24 league matches on home soil.

Guglielmo Vicario could have done better in dealing with De Ligt’s late header. Pedro Porro also endured a difficult night defensively.

Randal Kolo Muani, withdrawn at half-time, hardly impacted the match. In 191 Premier League minutes this season, he has managed just one shot, without a goal or assist.

Ahead of Porro was Brennan Johnson. Full of pace and capable of goals, he still drifted in and out of proceedings.

But the bigger concern was on the left.

Frank Must Avoid One Spurs Pairing on the Left

Richarlison deserves credit for his instinctive flick that turned Wilson Odobert’s late strike into the net. Yet, for much of the game, he offered little. He did not resemble a player who can lead a title-chasing attack.

And behind him, Djed Spence struggled badly on the opposite flank to his natural side. Analysts described him playing left-back as “killing Tottenham on that flank” and leaving the team with “zero balance in possession.”

Had Mohammed Kudus been fit, perhaps Spence’s struggles would have been less exposed. But with Richarlison off-form, the left-hand side malfunctioned.

Richarlison’s late contribution concealed another ineffective display. There was effort, but little true end product. And Spence is simply not a left-back. The combination of the two offered neither rhythm nor fluency.

When Udogie and Odobert entered the pitch, the left became sharper, more direct and more effective.

This pairing cannot be fielded together again. Richarlison lacks the technical sharpness to link play in that zone, while Spence looks uncomfortable and unnatural on that side.

The Statistics Support It

Richarlison & Spence vs Man United

Stats Spence Richarlison

Minutes 90′ 90′
Goals 0 1
Assists 0 0
Touches 68 38
Shots (on target) 0 (0) 3 (1)
Accurate passes 33/42 (79%) 17/22 (77%)
Possession lost 16 9
Chances created 0 0
Crosses 0/2 0/0
Dribbles 0/2 0/1
Recoveries 5 1
Tackles won 3/3 1/2
Clearances 3 2
Duels won 4/11 4/10

Both players earn a combined £130k per week, but their performances did not justify being used together.

Alasdair Gold of football.london gave Spence a 6/10 and Richarlison a 7/10. Realistically, Tottenham are far more cohesive and dangerous with a different pairing on that side.

Richarlison could be in his final season, while Spence will be eyeing Porro’s spot at right-back after the Spaniard’s difficult outing. Regardless, tactical adjustments are needed after the international break.

Frank has the tools to succeed at Tottenham. Now he must get the key selection decisions right.