Roberto De Zerbi was satisfied Tottenham show to Manchester United after fighting with 10 men for a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Dominic Solanke headed home in the second minute of added time to earn a point they were well-valued for after seeing a number of excellent chances go wrong against the Red Devils, who took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo.
Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card meant Spurs had to show even more spirit to get back into the game, and De Zerbi was content to take the positives despite their six-game winless start to the season.
De Zerbi told Sky Sports: “I think we played really well against a great team. We had a lot of chances to score in the first half. Three or four.
“The second half is normal to suffer against this quality. I am very happy because I have seen the right spirit and character.
“We suffered in the game, but all the situations in the game. I like the situation in which we found ourselves with the red card. We need this situation. We did not accept defeat. We did not accept defeat.”
“We have to react in every possible way. It’s a bad way, it’s not the right way. I kiss Bentancur in the dressing room. Football is character.”
“We win the game if we play as a team. We didn’t win this game playing as a team. Every game like today, we’re going to win a lot.”
De Zerbi: “There aren’t too many strikers better than Solanke”
De Zerbi praised goalscorer Solanke, who was selected as captain for the game at Old Trafford, insisting there are few better No9s in the league after opening his account for the season.
The Italian added: “He’s a good player for Tottenham. There aren’t too many strikers better than Solanke.
“He was captain today because he deserved it, especially at the moment because he’s suffering because Tottenham haven’t scored or won a game. He’s a great guy, a great player and we’re behind him.”
“We have to believe in ourselves and in this football way. If we believe, improve and play as a team, we will score many goals and win many games. If we do not play as a team, it is impossible.”