Frank defends Spurs subs after fans boo changes

LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank defended his tactical substitutions after his side’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Manchester United on Saturday, insisting every decision was made to help his team win despite boos from sections of the home crowd.

United took the lead in the 32nd minute through Bryan Mbeumo, prompting frustration among Spurs fans as Frank replaced Xavi Simons with Mathys Tel 11 minutes from time. The change was met with jeers, but the move proved decisive when Tel equalised five minutes later, turning sharply in the box before firing a deflected effort past Senne Lammens.

Spurs briefly thought they had secured victory when Richarlison diverted Wilson Odobert’s strike into the net in stoppage time, only for Matthijs de Ligt’s header in the 96th minute to earn United a point.

Frank made five substitutions in total, including withdrawing forward Randal Kolo Muani at halftime. Asked post-match whether the Tel change justified the initial negative reaction, Frank maintained that his focus was solely on improving the team’s chances.

“Sometimes you are lucky,” Frank said. “But every single time I make a substitution, it’s with one aim: to make the team win, get back in the game, or see it out. No doubt Mathys did well — great goal, great involvement — and overall, we played a positive game. You just need a bit of freshness sometimes.”

Pressed on what he expected from Tel upon his introduction, the Danish coach offered a succinct response: “To score a goal.”

Frank also confirmed that Kolo Muani was substituted due to a minor, unspecified issue, while defender Cristian Romero’s late withdrawal was precautionary, attributed to fatigue rather than injury.

The result extends Tottenham’s winless run at home in the league to five matches since their opening-day victory, leaving Frank still searching for a consistent formula at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the season approaches its midpoint.