Tottenham manager Ryan Mason praises Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes

Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason has admitted Bruno Fernandes gave his side a headache in Thursday’s 2-2 draw.

There were fears the Portugal star would miss the clash with a foot injury after being pictured in a boot brace in the days after Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton. However, the 28-year-old was declared fit to play and featured for the full 90 minutes.

It means the playmaker has not missed a single game through injury during his three-and-a-half years at United. Fernandes was a threat during the match, firing in four shots, one of which crashed off the bar in the second half.

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Mason admitted after full-time that the No.8 was a live wire in the centre of the park, saying his side needed to do more to quell his play.

Speaking to Stadium Astro, he explained: “We made a lot of mistakes defensively in the first half. We needed to protect the inside a lot more and Bruno Fernandes was causing us a lot of problems in that pocket.

“We spoke about trying to be more front-foot and aggressive with one of our defenders and creating a back four, and trying to engage them higher up the pitch.

"The second half I thought we played the whole half apart from the last five minutes in their half. I was very pleased with the reaction.”

Spurs fought back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to claim a draw after a lacklustre second period from the visitors. Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford had put United in control but Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min struck on 56 and 79 minutes respectively to earn a point for the out-of-form hosts.

Erik ten Hag relayed his frustration with missing out on the win after the game. He said: "Some thought 90 per cent