BBC·3 min read·medium

'I kissed Rodrigo' - Roberto de Zerbi praises Bentancur's red card against Manchester United

E
Emily Salley
'I kissed Rodrigo' - Roberto de Zerbi praises Bentancur's red card against Manchester United
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Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi praised Rodrigo Bentancur's 'character' following his red card for headbutting an opponent during a draw against Manchester United. Despite the disciplinary issue, the manager felt the incident provided a necessary spark for the team.

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Figure caption, Solanke scores in added time as 10-man Spurs draw with Man Utd

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi praised Rodrigo Bentancur after he was sent off in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United .

The Uruguay midfielder was shown a red card for headbutting Luke Shaw during a feisty 78th-minute melee when Spurs were trailing 1-0 at Old Trafford.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Tottenham managed to salvage a point as Dominic Solanke headed home in the second minute of added time.

Spurs remain winless in the Premier League this season after six games, but De Zerbi was thankful to Bentancur for providing a "spark" against United.

"I kiss Rodrigo and say thanks," De Zerbi 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."

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