Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has shared his thoughts following a dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester United, a result that left the North London club both encouraged and frustrated, particularly after Matthijs de Ligt’s stoppage-time equalizer in the 96th minute.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Frank was open about his mixed feelings, highlighting the positives in his side’s performance while acknowledging the disappointment of conceding so late.
Frank was quick to praise the resilience and focus of his team in the second half. He emphasized that Tottenham stuck to the game plan, maintained their structure, and continued to believe, even under pressure. “The very big positive from this game is our performance, especially the second half. We stuck to the game plan, maintained structure, stayed in the game, kept doing the right things and kept believing,” he said.
Frank referenced the Chelsea game and other recent home results, noting that Spurs have had a hard time securing wins at home this season. The ability of the team to maintain focus, fight back, and even take a 2-1 lead before the late equalizer was, in his eyes, a significant positive. He admitted it was disappointing to concede a goal so late, especially with an 11 versus 10 advantage, but reminded fans that moments like these are part of football.
The Spurs boss also highlighted the impact of his substitutes, a point he has stressed throughout the season. “It is not necessarily just the 11 starters. The players coming on make a big difference, and the squad throughout the season is the most important thing,” Frank explained.
He acknowledged the challenge posed by injuries to key attacking players but stressed that this is why a squad must be ready to step up. “It is difficult, but that is why you have a squad that can step up and make it work. My job is to make it work. I don’t know any coach who wouldn’t want his best players on the pitch, but today was a good step forward,” he said.
Crosses into the box were another area Frank felt his team improved in. He noted that Tottenham had good opportunities, citing a first-half chance for Richarlison, who missed a free header. “In open play, we need to exploit the gaps better, especially around the center-backs.
There were good opportunities in the box for crosses,” he said. Frank also gave praise to Xavi Simons, who continues to develop his game at Spurs. “He had a good game against Copenhagen, and today he worked hard, won second balls, got involved in the right actions. He’s getting closer to a high level,” Frank said, noting that the Dutch midfielder is showing steady improvement.
Despite the late goal, Frank highlighted the defensive discipline of both teams. He said the match was a good display of two evenly matched sides committed to defending well, with Spurs conceding only a handful of shots. “On paper, it was an unbelievable defensive performance, which is why the performance can be seen positively,” he noted.
Looking ahead to the international break, Frank was upbeat about Tottenham’s standing in the Premier League. Sitting third in the table, he took satisfaction in how his squad is competing despite injuries and the challenges of balancing domestic and European commitments.
“There are always things to improve, but the second-half reaction, the mentality, and the focus to keep going were very impressive. It is something we can build on. We have a lot we want to do better, but there are positives in the performance that give us confidence moving forward,” he concluded.
Frank’s reflections make it clear that while the result was frustrating, the performance provided a platform for optimism. The team’s resilience, the impact of substitutes, and key players stepping up under pressure are elements Frank will likely focus on refining as Tottenham looks to consolidate their strong start to the season and navigate the challenges ahead.
The match underscored both the potential and the areas for growth in Frank’s squad, offering a clear picture of what is working well and what still needs attention as Spurs aim to maintain momentum in both the Premier League and European competitions.
