Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen believes his side took their ‘foot off the gas’ in the second half of their draw against Tottenham on Thursday, which saw them throw away a two-goal lead. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho had both scored in a dominant first half display from United, but Erik ten Hag’s side were poor in the second half and Spurs quickly took a grip of the game.
Eriksen, Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were all substituted after the hour-mark and the Dane believes United paid the price for easing off, which allowed Spurs back into the game. He said: ‘I think we missed the last percentage of really taking the game and finishing it off. I think we took a bit of the gas off and that was our problem. I think it’s been that for a few games where we are sharp and coming ahead and [haven’t] kept it going. I think we lost a bit of energy, a bit of control and they got belief and it went the other way.’
United are still favourites to finish in the top four but Liverpool and Spurs are still in contention, while they face an in-form Aston Villa on Sunday. Eriksen says it’s vital United secure Champions League qualification as quickly as possible, adding: ‘There’s still a few games to go. We need to keep going and get the belief back to finish it off. We need to get it over the line.’