Tottenham 1-0 Manchester United: What Were The Main Talking Points As Spurs Pile The Pressure on Ruben Amorim?

In a showdown between two Premier League giants who were both seeking their own respective boosts, Tottenham clinched a 1-0 victory against fellow strugglers Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

While Ruben Amorim’s side might have created a handful of early chances in north London, it was the returning James Maddison who proved to be Spurs’ hero as the England international tapped home from close ranger after 13 minutes.

Although Alejandro Garnacho might have wasted a pair of wonderful chances on either side of the half-time break, it was another flat performance from a Manchester United squad who now drop down to 15th in the table.

Eventually clinging on and now collecting back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time in 11 months, Sunday’s hard-fought win was also the first time that Spurs have registered a top-flight home victory since returning from November’s international break.

On an afternoon when Tottenham extended on their recent dominance over Man United, we have taken a look at the main talking points from north London.

Tottenham must build on their north London success

Suffering a major EFL Cup collapse earlier in the month as they fell to a second-leg 4-0 drumming against Liverpool, it is no secret that large spells of the north London support have made their frustrations with Ange Postecoglou heard.

However, dragging themselves over the finishing line here and claiming what was an essential boost in the capital, Spurs are simply looking to find some kind of stability.

Despite heading into Sunday’s showdown by losing four of their previous five Premier League appearances, the Lilywhites had quickly gained an unwanted reputation for their glaring issues on home soil.

Nevertheless, although Tottenham might still find themselves firmly scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, they have now secured consecutive top-flight victories for the first time since March 2024.

Likewise, Sunday’s nail-biting 1-0 win on home soil was the first Premier League victory that Postecoglou’s side have recorded in front of their own supporters since the start of November.

Spurs have United’s number

Extending on their EFL Cup adventure back on December 19th as they secured a pulsating 4-3 victory on home soil, Tottenham now hold what is a remarkable record against Manchester United.

Dragging themselves to what was a crucial first-half winner here, Spurs have now recorded consecutive Premier League wins against their fellow top-flight giants for the first time in 35 years.

Storming their way to what was a sensational 3-0 romp when they travelled to Old Trafford for their reverse Premier League meeting on September 29th, Tottenham have won all of their three meetings this season by an aggregate score of 8-3.

Likewise, Spurs have won all of their last trio of meetings against Man United on home soil by an aggregate score of 7-3.

Now unbeaten in all of their previous six meetings against Sunday’s guests across all competitions, it certainly appears that Tottenham has United’s number.

The pressure mounts on Amorim’s shoulders

While there might have been plenty of excitement around Old Trafford following Amorim’s arrival in the red half of Manchester, United have drastically failed to find any kind of stability.

Travelling to north London on Sunday afternoon knowing that they faced a must-win showdown in the capital, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has made his frustrations abundantly clear.

More than aware that he has an almighty job on his hands over the final few months, the Red Devils have now dropped down to 15th in the Premier League standings.

Breaking a string of unwanted records this season, Amorim’s downbeat squad have now lost three of their previous four Premier League appearances.

Likewise, getting February underway with a 2-0 defeat at home against Crystal Palace, Manchester United have also won just a pair of their previous nine top-fight showdowns – a run that stems back to their sensational 2-1 victory against Man City on December 15th.

Match Report

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence, Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski, Tel, Son

Subs: Johnson, Gray, Bissouma, Sarr, Odobert

Manchester United: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, de Ligt, Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund

Subs: Martin

Goals: Maddison (13’)

Yellow Cards: Tottenham: Davies – Manchester United: Casemiro, Drogu

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Peter Banks