Tottenham vs United Player Ratings

By FOX SPORTS staff

Under heavy snowfall, United took the lead in the 25th minute through Premier League top scorer Robin Van Persie, who rose highest to power a header home following Tom Cleverley's accurate cross.

Spurs worked hard to score the equaliser and thereafter dominated large parts of the game, but a mixture of good goalkeeping by David De Gea and wasteful finishing by the home side frustrated Andre Villas-Boas' men.

However, just when it seemed like Sir Alex Ferguson's men would be heading for yet another win, Dempsey popped up in the right place at the right time to fire home Aaron Lennon's cross as Spurs earned a valuable point off the Red Devils.

Here, FOXSPORTSASIA.com rates the players who took to the pitch at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham Hotspur

Hugo Lloris - 7

Lloris was nearly a spectator in goal during the second half, but he was stable and reliable when called upon, and he cannot be faulted for Van Persie's goal.

Kyle Walker - 7

Lennon was able to concentrate on attack only because he knew he need not worry too much over his defensive duties with the reliable Walker behind him on the right flank. Walker made several important tackles to win back possession and did well to support the attack with his overlapping runs.

Steven Caulker - 7

Caulker put in a stable, if unspectacular, shift in defence for Spurs and made several crucial important interceptions during the game to stop United's attacks.

Michael Dawson - 7.5

Villas-Boas will be thanking his lucky stars that he decided to keep Dawson at Spurs as the 29-year-old put in yet another solid shift in defence to nullify United's attack.

Kyle Naughton (64' off) - 6.5

Naughton will be slightly disappointed with his performance for Spurs as he found himself caught out of position several times. However, he did manage to deliver several good crosses from the left flank.

Scott Parker (80' off) - 7.5

Parker showed no signs of rust from having missed the first half of the season through injury as he put in a lionhearted performance in the middle of the pitch for Spurs. The former Charlton player flew into the tackles and drove forward with purpose often.

Mousa Dembele - 8

The Belgian international was another standout player for Spurs as he constantly troubled the United defence with his precise passing and powerful runs into the box.

Aaron Lennon - 8.5

Possibly Spurs' best player of the night, Lennon absolutely dominated the right flank and gave Evra a torrid time throughout the game, often using his pace and quick feet to go past the Frenchman. Lennon also created numerous goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates and was involved in the build-up to Spurs' equalising goal.

Gareth Bale - 7.5

Bale often used his pace to great effect on the left flank to get past Rafael and delivered quite a few dangerous crosses into the box. The Welsh winger also created several good goalscoring opportunities for himself but failed to find the target.

Clint Dempsey - 6.5

Dempsey provided an attacking thrust for Spurs through the middle but his constant wastefulness in front of goal nearly proved costly for his side. The American had numerous opportunities to score but he often dawdled too long on the ball, allowing United's defence to recover and make the tackle. However, due credit must be given to Dempsey for his determination as he made amends for all his misses with a well-taken goal which rescued a point for Spurs.

Jermain Defoe - 6.5

It was not one of Defoe's best shifts in front of goal as the England international missed several gilt-edged chances to score. However, Defoe proved to be a real handful for United's defence whenever he had the ball at his feet and tested De Gea on several occasions.

Substitutions

Benoit Assou-Ekotto (64' on) - 6

Assou-Ekotto came on to provide a bit more of an attacking thrust but he failed to make a real impact for Spurs despite his fresh legs.

Tom Huddlestone (80' on) - N/A

Manchester United

David De Gea - 7.5

De Gea deserves credit for keeping United in the game as he made numerous saves to keep Spurs from scoring. His best save of the game came when he instinctively stuck out a leg to block Dempsey's shot from close range after the American had gone through on goal.

Rafael - 6.5

Rafael failed to really contain Bale and allowed the Welsh winger to get the better of him on numerous times. Ferguson will also be disappointed that Rafael did not get up to support the attack more often.

Nemanja Vidic - 7

Vidic was stable in the heart of defence for United, dominant in the air, quick on his feet and was nearly unbeatable one on one.

Rio Ferdinand - 7.5

Ferdinand used all his experience to lead the United backline in the face of relentless Spurs attacking pressure and made quite a number of important tackles to stop the likes of Defoe and Dempsey from testing De Gea in goal.

Patrice Evra - 5

Evra had shown signs of improvement in recent times, but he was made to look all of his 31 years of age in this game by the speedy Lennon, who tore past him too easily on too many occasions.

Michael Carrick - 7.5

One of the most underrated players in United ranks, Carrick was once again the metronomic figure in midfield for the Red Devils, effectively linking attack and defence and showed great tactical awareness to cover for his defence whenever they were caught out of position.

Phil Jones - 7.5

There were several eyebrows raised when Jones' name appeared on United's team-sheet, but he paid off Ferguson's gamble on him with an energetic display in midfield for his side. The 20-year-old kept the ball well under pressure and used possession very well.

Tom Cleverley (75' off) - 7

Cleverley showed great tenacity and bravery as he flew into the tackles to win the ball for United in the middle of the pitch. However, he still needs to improve on his distribution of the ball as he gave away possession needlessly too many times.

Shinji Kagawa (62' off) - 6

Kagawa showed some neat touches in the final third but he was otherwise virtually anonymous in attack. The former Borussia Dortmund player was also guilty of conceding a few needless fouls as he failed to get to grips with the pace of the game.

Robin van Persie - 8

Van Persie did his former side Arsenal, fighting with Spurs for a spot in the top four, a huge favour as he scored his 18th Premier League goal of the season with a fantastic header to put United in the lead. The Dutchman rarely gave the ball whenever he received it and was a constant threat to Spurs' backline.

Danny Welbeck - 7

Welbeck worked hard up front to put himself about and put some serious pressure on Spurs' defence. He however failed to really provide an attacking spark for United and looked devoid of ideas when he had the ball in advanced positions.

Substitutions

Wayne Rooney (62' on) - 7

Rooney came on and certainly made his presence felt as he launched a number of counter-attacks for United. He showed great strength to hold the ball up in the final third and linked up well with the midfield. The England international could also have earned his side a penalty after he forced Caulker to bring him down in the box late in the second half.

Antonio Valencia (75' on) - 6

It was an underwhelming substitute performance by Valencia who failed to threaten Spurs' defence but did decently well defensively.