'I have a team that is willing to fight': Ryan Mason hits back at criticism of Tottenham's character as he praises 'outstanding' second half display after Spurs came from two goals down to draw with Man United

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Ryan Mason has praised his side's character after Tottenham dug deep to earn a point against Manchester United following their horror show at Newcastle. 

Goals from Pedro Porro and Heung-min Son earned Spurs a point in Mason's first game back in interim charge.

Mason replaced Cristian Stellini who was sacked after their 6-1 loss to the Magpies at the weekend, and thanks to goals by Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, it looked like Tottenham were heading to another costly defeat.

The point keeps their faint top-four hopes alive, and Mason was delighted with his team's character and felt that they could have even gone on to win the match.

Asked about their reaction after going into the break two goals down, Mason said: 'Second-half we were outstanding with the character shown.

Ryan Mason was delighted with his side's character as Pedro Porro and Heung-min Son scored second-half goals to earn Tottenham a point against Manchester United on Thursday night

Mason said that the result showed that Tottenham are 'willing to fight' after their character has been questioned over recent days

'I'm very happy and I hope our fans felt we were a team today, they run and fought for each other and to be perfectly honest - I thought we could have scored more.'

Tottenham's character was questioned after their capitulation to Newcastle, where they conceded five times in the opening 21 minutes.

Mason though said that the match proved that he has a team who are 'willing to fight'.

He said: 'I have heard a lot of talk about a lack of character, I know I have got men.

'When they pull together they are a team. That's my job to get inside of them and make sure that every time we go onto the pitch we act as a team.

'I was a player, I know what it's like when we have the fans with us. I was very pleased with the energy inside the ground, they were with us the whole game.

'I think one of the key things for me, I said before about a reaction, but most important about the team. In football, you win, you lose, you draw, but the most important thing is that we are united with each other and we are together and act as a team. I have a team that is willing to fight.'

The result offered Spurs some positive signs following their collapse against Newcastle

The result that Tottenham are six points off Manchester United in the race for the Champions League qualification spots.

United and Newcastle (who are eight points ahead) both have games in hand though so Spurs will be hoping for teams to do them a favour if they are to qualify for Europe's most prestigious competition.

This is Mason's second stint as interim boss, after previously holding the role following Jose Mourinho's exit from the club in 2021.