Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou showed little sympathy for Manchester United’s ongoing injury crisis after his side secured a vital 1-0 victory over Erik ten Hag’s depleted team on Sunday. In a candid post-match press conference, Postecoglou was asked about United’s injury struggles and responded defiantly, comparing their situation to Tottenham’s earlier difficulties in the season.
“If I check my office, I don’t have any sympathy cards from other managers, so that hasn’t happened,” Postecoglou remarked. “There’s definitely a few out there. I could see Ruben there, players out of position, kids on the bench. Well, welcome to my world. But that’s for one game. Now do that for two months. Do that for two months. Any club. Do that for two months.”
His remarks reflected the resilience Spurs had shown despite their own mid-season slump, which had been caused by a series of injuries. On this occasion, however, it was Tottenham who came out on top, with Postecoglou believing that this victory could act as a turning point in their campaign.
‘We Needed That Win’
Postecoglou emphasized the importance of the victory, saying, “I think the important thing is that we did win today. It was an important game for us and an important week. We needed to put in a performance today to get us the result and I think we did that.”
The return of key players like James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, and Micky van de Ven added a boost to the team, with Postecoglou expressing how much it had helped to have experienced players back in the squad. “Getting guys like Vic and Madders contributing straight away, you can see the quality they have and the presence they have,” he said. “The fact we have them available is an enormous boost for us.”
Maddison’s Return and Celebration Controversy
James Maddison’s return from injury was especially significant, as he scored a crucial goal to help secure the win. However, it was his celebration that drew attention, though Postecoglou chose not to comment directly on it. “Everybody has mentioned his celebration, but I didn’t see it, so I can’t comment on it,” Postecoglou remarked. “But it doesn’t surprise me that Madders didn’t accept what was being said about him and threw a shot back over the bow. It’s just great to have him back. He is a quality player.”
Minor Knocks and Focus on European Football
During the match, Tottenham saw three key players—Kevin Danso, Son Heung-min, and Rodrigo Bentancur—sustain knocks. Postecoglou provided an update, reassuring fans that the injuries were not serious. “He got a knock on his knee. Him, Sonny, and Rodri all got sort of knocks. I don’t think it is anything significant,” he said. “But the beauty of it now is we can actually get them to recover instead of trying to patch them up and throw them out (onto the pitch) again midweek.”
Looking ahead, Postecoglou remains confident about Tottenham’s chances for European qualification, despite their recent struggles. “I certainly believe there is still a hell of a lot on offer for us, this back half of the year,” he said. “Europe is the obvious one, but even in the league, I think we could make inroads. We’re not happy with where we are. It’s unacceptable that we’re in the position we are. But the circumstances have dictated that to a great extent.”
He continued, “The guys who came back in today will improve and make us stronger. There’s still two or three more on the horizon who will also come back.”
Focus on Future Progress
Postecoglou emphasized that the victory over Manchester United was just the beginning of Tottenham’s intended resurgence. “It’s only one game, but I thought today was an important game if we were going to start that progress. Getting three points makes us think, OK, it’s starting to make an impact,” he concluded.
