Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has defended the red card shown to Rodrigo Bentancur during their 1-1 draw at Manchester United in the Premier League, while making clear he welcomed the fighting spirit his midfielder displayed.

De Zerbi acknowledged that the decision to dismiss Bentancur was correct, but he expressed admiration for the reaction his player showed on the pitch. The Tottenham manager said he wants to see that kind of competitive attitude become a regular feature across his entire squad.

A reaction Tottenham needed

Speaking after the match at Old Trafford, De Zerbi made no attempt to dispute the referee's call. Instead, he framed Bentancur's red card as evidence of a combative mentality that he believes Tottenham must embrace going forward.

"Tottenham needs this reaction," De Zerbi said, signalling that he views the incident not as a source of embarrassment but as a marker of the intensity he demands from his players.

The 1-1 result leaves Tottenham Hotspur with a mixed outcome from their trip to Manchester United — a point secured, but ten men for a portion of the game and a key midfielder suspended for upcoming fixtures.

Pressure on Spurs to respond

The draw at Old Trafford reflects the inconsistency that has marked Tottenham's Premier League campaign. De Zerbi, who has been working to instil a more aggressive and committed style of play since taking charge, sees moments of individual defiance — even when they result in a red card — as steps in the right direction.

Whether Bentancur's absence in forthcoming matches hampers that progress remains to be seen, but De Zerbi's message to his squad was unambiguous: compete harder, react stronger, and bring the same fire to every game.