Gary Neville has made it clear that Manchester United can’t use injuries as an excuse for their poor performance against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Manchester United legend highlighted how Ange Postecoglou has had to deal with more injuries or absentees himself, yet Spurs were able to put on a stellar display during their 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
The likes of Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma were missing either through injury/illness or because of international duty.
And Gary Neville made it clear that all five of those players would ‘walk into Manchester United’s team’, as he told Sky Sports.
The fact that Tottenham had their starting forward line out, yet scored two goals and probably should have got more, says it all really.
This was yet another sign of the remarkable job Ange Postecoglou is doing because it also needs to be noted that they sold a certain Harry Kane in the summer.
Not only do the London club have a serious chance of getting into the Champions League places next season, but they could do it in a better style than they have ever done it.
Tottenham injuries
“I don’t think we can mention injuries today (for Man United), with the fact that Spurs played them off the park,” said Neville.
“They have five or six players who would walk into Man United’s team. Son would play for Man United, Kulusevski would play for Man United, Maddison would play for Man United, Sarr and Bissouma would play for Man United.
“There are five players there that I have named that would be in the Spurs starting XI that haven’t played. They would be wearing those red shirts if they were at Man United, so we can’t mention injuries and absentees.”
Tottenham’s style of play
A big reason why Spurs are so eye-catching to watch, even with a depleted squad, is because of their methods.
Postecoglou has given them a freedom and license that is allowing players to cook like never before.
But, most importantly, these players have the right attributes, such as pace to burn, to be able to cope with such an open, expansive and fearless style of play.
And after watching two defensive-minded coaches in recent years, the Spurs fans are loving every minute of this.
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