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James Maddison marked his return from injury with the 13th-minute opener for Tottenham against Manchester United on Sunday – and former Red Devils captain Gary Neville was unimpressed with the visitors’ defending.
Playmaker Maddison slotted in when goalkeeper Andre Onana could only parry Lucas Bergvall’s angled drive into his path at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“United’s defence was squeezed too narrow,” Neville told Sky Sports. “Onana pushed it out into a dangerous area. [Matthijs] de Ligt, [Harry] Maguire and the rest of them were static.”
James Maddison nets on his return from injury! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/59Q1DG5moD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2025
Tottenham vs Manchester United: Garnacho blunders
United forwards Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund were both denied by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario before Maddison struck.
Garnacho went on to spurn a golden opportunity shortly after his side had fallen behind, lifting a shot high over the bar after Bruno Fernandes threaded a pass to his feet in space inside the box.
On-loan Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel threatened a second for Spurs, drawing a save from Onana after being located by Son Heung-min.
The winners of the game between two of the most underperforming sides in this season’s competition will go 12th in the top flight.
United have not beaten Tottenham in their last five attempts and lost 3-0 at Old Trafford in the teams’ first league meeting of the season.
The average age of the Manchester United bench to face Spurs… comprising eight teenagers and Victor Lindelöf! 🤯📊 pic.twitter.com/AnL9ni2A5W
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2025
James Maddison stats
Maddison has contributed eight goals and three assists in 16 Premier League starts this season, making the 28-year-old’s susceptibility to injuries all the more painful for manager Ange Postecoglou.
The former England midfielder scored and set up a goal in Tottenham’s 3-2 Europa League win at German club Hoffenheim on January 23 but then missed five games in all competitions with a calf strain.
His finish against United took Maddison to 10 goals and six assists in 32 appearances in 2024, captaining Spurs once each in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.
Maddison had never scored in 12 previous encounters with United in his career, although he registered two assists against them for former club Leicester City.