Live Commentary: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur - as it happened

Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United recorded a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday night's Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

Dele Alli had cancelled out Rashford's opener to leave the two teams level at the interval, but the England forward struck a second from the penalty spot in the 49th minute to secure an important three points.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.

9.26pmThat is just about it from me tonight, but I shall leave you with the match report from what was an important win for the Red Devils. Thanks for joining us, see you next time!

9.24pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with United running out 2-1 winners courtesy of a double from Rashford. It is an unhappy return for Mourinho as the Red Devils collect all three points. Huge night for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!

FULL TIME:

90+5 minMAN UNITED 2-1 TOTTENHAM

SAVE!

90+4 minDe Gea is down to keep out a low strike from Alli.

90+4 minRashford breaks into the Tottenham box, but the attacker is crowded out!

90+4 minFred releases Shaw as United break forward, but the offside flag is raised!

90+3 minTime is running out for Tottenham, who have been poor tonight when taking everything into consideration. United are on the verge of picking up a huge three points.

90+2 minWe are into the second of four additional minutes at Old Trafford.

90+1 minLindelof does well to deal with a low cross from Son as Tottenham threaten in a wide position. We will soon find out how much time will be added at the end of the 90.

SAVE!

89 minDe Gea is down to keep out a low strike from Ndombele.

89 minThere is still time for something to happen in the final stages of this match, and it would be fair to assume that there will be at least four minutes of added time at Old Trafford.

87 minMAN UNITED SUB! Shaw replaces Lingard for the home side.

86 minTOTTENHAM SUB! Lo Celso replaces Sissoko for the away side.

SAVE!

85 minComfortable for De Gea to keep out a strike from Aurier.

84 minLittle over five minutes of the second period remaining, and United currently have the ball in Tottenham's half of the field. At the moment, the Red Devils are heading into sixth spot, but a win could take them fifth if Wolves fail to beat West Ham tonight.

82 minNot too much to report at Old Trafford, which has been the case for a little while. There has not really been a response from Tottenham, but there is still plenty of time left here.

80 minMAN UNITED SUB! Pereira replaces Greenwood for the home side.

78 minLittle over 10 minutes of the second period remaining and not too much is happening at the moment. Pereira is still waiting to enter the field for the home side here.

76 minAndreas Pereira looks to be the player coming on for United, but the Brazilian is still standing on the touchline as this match, which is delicately poised, continues to advance.

74 minUnited appear to have preparing a change, and Lingard might be the player to leave the field as the Englishman has struggled to make an impact in the first 74 minutes.

72 minYou do get the feeling that there will be more chances in the final stages of this match, especially with Mourinho bringing two, fresh players onto the field. Still no movement on the home side's bench, though, as we head for the final 15 minutes of normal time.

70 minTOTTENHAM SUB! Ndombele replaces Winks for the away side.

70 minTottenham can break clear through Sissoko, but the Frenchman's final pass is poor, allowing United to recover the ball. Spurs will soon make their second change here.

69 minStill no movement on the United bench, and there is not too much available for Solskjaer so it would not be a surprise if he kept it the same for the next few minutes at least.

SAVE!

68 minSmart save from the Tottenham goalkeeper to keep out a low strike from James!

67 minSlight problem for Tottenham here as Winks goes down holding his ankle, although it does appear that the England international will be able to continue here.

65 minTOTTENHAM SUB! Eriksen replaces Lucas for the away side.

65 minKane has really struggled to get hold of the ball tonight, with Spurs seeing attack after attack break down. The match is so delicately poised, though, and Tottenham will feel that they are capable of scoring at any moment. The home side need a third here.

63 minVertonghen breaks into a wide position before delivering deep towards the far post but it lands on the top of the net. United then break forward once again through James.

61 minLittle under 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and it would be a surprise if we had seen the last of the goals. No movement on either bench at the moment here.

59 minUnited again move through the gears as Lingard feeds Rashford before the attacker attempts to find James, but Sanchez just about does enough to hold off the Welshman.

57 minRashford has been sensational tonight, and it would be fitting if the England international could score a hat-trick, in the eyes of the United fans at least. Tottenham, though, will be hoping that Alli can join Rashford on two goals before the night is out here.

SHOT!

55 minKane has been quiet tonight, but the striker has just had a low strike deflected wide of the United post after a smart link with Lucas, who has also been quiet here.

53 minSmart block from Fred to block a strike from Son after a mistake from Young had out the home side in all sorts of trouble. Brilliant work from United's brilliant midfielder there.

51 minCould he?

A United player hasn't scored a Premier League hat-trick since Robin van Persie on the night #mufc last won the league in 2013. Time on Rashford's side and he's been sensational tonight.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 4, 2019

50 minBig moment, especially this early in the second half. Can Spurs bounce back again? Sissoko will be thinking about that challenge and why on earth he made it from behind.

GOAL!

49 minRashford finds the bottom corner with a cool finish to send United ahead!

GOAL!

49 minMAN UNITED 2-1 TOTTENHAM (RASHFORD, PEN)

PENALTY!

47 minVAR will look at it, but it looked very clear. Sissoko clips Rashford's legs.

PENALTY!

47 minUnited have a penalty as Sissoko brings Rashford to the ground!

47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. There is simply no downplaying the importance of the next 45 minutes, particularly for the hosts.

KICKOFF:

46 minUnited resume the action on home soil...

8.30pmBENCH WATCH! Solskjaer does not have too much in the way of attacking options from the bench, with Mata and Pereira the only forward-thinking players available. Tottenham, meanwhile, have the likes of Eriksen and Lo Celso in reserve. It will be very interesting to see how both managers use their benches in the second half, particularly if it stays 1-1 for a while.

8.25pmSTATISTICS! United just shaded the first-half possession with 52%, while they managed eight attempts, four of which were on target. Tottenham only had three attempts in what was a lacklustre first-half performance but one of those from Alli found the back of the net. Just the one yellow card to report here with Winks having his name taken for a rash challenge on James.

8.20pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Rashford had sent United ahead in the early exchanges, only for Alli to level the scores late in the first period. It has been an open and entertaining affair at Old Trafford.

HALF TIME:

45+4 minMAN UNITED 1-1 TOTTENHAM

45+3 minApologies, three minutes were actually added. And we are into the final of those.

45+2 minWe are into the second of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.

45+1 minRashford is back on his feet and we are heading for first-half stoppage time.

45 minRashford stays down following a collision with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

44 minUnited have hardly had the ball since that leveller went in, and the interval might actually be coming at a decent time for the home side, which is a big thing to say when considering that the home side have been so dominant for long spells of this match.

42 minTottenham just have not been in this football match but they are now level approaching the end of the first period. Now the visitors are passing with more purpose and pace.

40 minGoal stands, Tottenham are level at Old Trafford.

39 minVAR are having a look at a possible handball.

GOAL!

39 minTottenham level the scores in the 39th minute as Alli plucks one out of the air before finding the far corner of the net. It is wonderful skill from the Englishman.

GOAL!

39 minMAN UNITED 1-1 TOTTENHAM (ALLI)

39 minMcTominay dances into the Tottenham box before feeding a low cross into a dangerous position, but Sanchez just about manages to make the clearance.

37 minFred flashes a low pass into Lingard, who would have been away, but the attacker cannot gather the ball. It must be said that the first half of this match has absolutely flown past.

35 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and not too much is happening at the moment. Spurs are having more of the ball without really threatening to score here.

33 minWill United be made to regret not scoring a second during such a dominant spell? There is no way Tottenham can be as poor in the second half, and a second goal for the home side would have been huge. Both sets of supporters remain in fine voice here.

31 minBit of possession for Tottenham in the last couple of minutes, but the away side are still struggling to create chances with David de Gea largely unmoved between the sticks here.

SHOT!

29 minWide of the post from Rashford on this occasion after more smart work from the England international. Rashford could have scored about four already in this first half!

SAVE!

27 minGazzaniga has to keep out a curling strike from Rashford as the United attacker continues to cause problems in the final third. Spurs cannot defend at the moment!

OFF THE BAR!

25 minRashford rattles the crossbar with a thumping strike from distance!

SAVE!

23 minSmart save from the Spurs goalkeeper to keep out a low strike from Greenwood after a bright move from the home side ended with James finding a cross into the forward.

22 minSpurs are having more of the ball at the moment, but the away side are yet to really threaten. Kane had the chance to test De Gea from a free kick but missed the target.

20 minAs it stands, United would actually move into fifth spot in the table, replacing Tottenham in the process. There is an awful lot of football to be played before the night is out, though, and so much could change. It remains 1-0 to the home side with 20 on the clock.

CLOSE!

18 min... Rashford's free kick is just, and I mean just, wide of the post!

17 minUnited have a free kick in a dangerous area as Fred is taken out by Sissoko...

16 minJust a few signs that Tottenham are getting to grips with this match as they pass and probe in the final third, but United look so dangerous when they break forward. Rashford has started incredibly well and already has a goal to show for his efforts here.

14 minJames should be fine to continue here but is still receiving some treatment.

YELLOW CARD!

13 minWinks (Tottenham) is booked for chopping James to the ground. The United attacker has actually landed near the benches and almost took Mourinho out in the process!

SHOT!

12 min... Kane's free kick was always too high.

11 minLucas breaks into a wide area before managing to squeeze a cross into the penalty box, but McTominay makes a good clearance. Spurs have a free kick in a dangerous area, though, with Fred bringing Kane to the ground. Good chance for the visitors here...

9 minTottenham are struggling to get hold of the ball at the moment with the home side very much in control of proceedings. This is just the start that the home fans would have wanted.

GOAL!

7 minHuge moment! Rashford finds space in a wide area before striking low towards the bottom corner, and Gazzaniga cannot keep it out! The Spurs goalkeeper should have done much better, but the home side's supporters do not mind. United lead here.

GOAL!

7 minMAN UNITED 1-0 TOTTENHAM (RASHFORD)

6 minFred does well to recover the ball before feeding Rashford, who finds Lingard in a dangerous position, but the Englishman just loses control at the vital moment. United are carrying a threat in these early exchanges, with Spurs having to defend their penalty box.

4 minUnited have been the better side in the first four minutes with the likes of McTominay already biting into challenges. Tottenham might have won all three of their matches under Mourinho but they have conceded plenty, and United are not short of an attacking threat here.

2 min... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight, both sets of fans will be desperate for a positive result. You do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial. United have made the early running on home soil.

KICKOFF:

0 minTottenham kick things off at Old Trafford...

7.30pmUnited's 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon left them down in 10th position in the Premier League table with just 18 points to show from their 14 matches this term. Tottenham, meanwhile, have risen into sixth spot in the division, just six points off fourth-placed Chelsea on the same number of games. Kickoff is now just moments away!

7.29pmAs for Tottenham, Mourinho has made two changes to the side that started against Bournemouth as Lucas Moura and Harry Winks replace Eric Dier and Tanguy Ndombele. Harry Kane and Dele Alli again feature in the final third, with Son Heung-min operating off the left. Christian Eriksen is once again named on the bench amid the speculation surrounding his future.

7.28pmMan United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made four changes to the side that started against Aston Villa on Sunday with Ashley Young, Scott McTominay, Jesse Lingard and Mason Greenwood coming in. Anthony Martial is injured, while Brandon Williams, Andreas Pereira and Juan Mata have all dropped to the bench. It is Greenwood's first Premier League start of the 2019-20 campaign, what an occasion for the teenage forward.

7.27pmTEAMS! UNITED: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young; McTominay, Fred; James, Lingard, Rashford; Greenwood SPURS: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Winks, Sissoko; Son, Alli, Lucas; Kane

7.26pmGood evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur from Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho returns to United tonight, can he help his new club pick up a huge three points? We are all set for a fascinating night of football, stay tuned for the action!

Live Commentary: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur - as it happened

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