Mauricio Pochettino: 'Manchester United defeat was an even game'

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has hinted that he believes a draw would have been the fairest result in his side's Premier League clash with Manchester United this afternoon.

Spurs fell to just their second league defeat of the season courtesy of a solitary Henrikh Mkhitaryan goal at Old Trafford, missing their chance to move into the top four.

Pochettino admitted that his side were not at their best, but does not believe that there was much to separate the two teams.

"Well, I think it was an even game, very competitive," he told reporters.

"I think we are a little bit disappointed. Disappointed with the result at the end, not our performance. We can play better but I think we competed here in a difficult game.

"Now [we need] to try and improve. We need to be ready on Wednesday for another game, but I think it was an even game."

Spurs remain fifth in the table as a result of the defeat, now 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.