Manchester United's Under-21 midfielder Ben Pearson thoroughly enjoyed scrapping it out with Mousa Dembele and Nabil Bentaleb at White Hart Lane on Monday night.
The 19-year-old produced a terrier-like performance, as the Reds won 1-0 with a James Wilson goal, and fought for possession against two of Spurs' first-team regulars. Despite picking up a yellow card, the Oldham-born youngster was a major influence in shielding the defence en route to another clean sheet.
"We found out about an hour and a half before kick-off that those two were involved and it just makes it even more of a challenge really," Pearson explained to MUTV. "It's what you want to play in - going from boys' football to men's football. It's a real test so it was a good win. Willo again sorted us out.
"We just needed a bit of grit in that game as they had a lot of possession. We knew they were good on the ball so our plan was to drop off and hit them on the counter attack. It was perfect for me to get my foot in and break play up. It's just been about getting a run of games for me. That's what I need really."
United have two fixtures left in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League, with Norwich City up next at Old Trafford on Thursday evening before a trip to Reading the following week. The Reds may sit in sixth spot but some of the clubs higher in the table have already concluded their programme.
"We had a little calculation and said we needed to win two of our next three games," revealed Pearson. "That's one done so we just need one more out of the next two and should be in the semi-finals. We're pushing for those play-offs and want to see if we can win it.
"I know a few of the Norwich players from England [Under-19s]. It will be a good test as they have got a few tricky wingers and a good striker. It will be another test.
"Old Trafford is probably the best stadium I've played in. The atmosphere, with the crowd for you instead of against you like on Monday, makes it all better."
