LONDON — Amid a season full of disappointing defeats for Tottenham Hotspur, there has at least been one small joy for Ange Postecoglou’s side: playing Manchester United.
MORE — Player ratings | Ruben Amorim reaction | Postecoglou, Maddison reaction
Spurs again topped the visitors from the Northwest, riding an early James Maddison goal to a much-needed 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday.
WATCH -– Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United full match replay
Tottenham Hotspur move up three places to 12th, leapfrogging Man United. Spurs are the best of three teams on 30 points, while United dip to 15th with their 29 points.
Spurs emphathize, not sympathize with wounded Man United
Tottenham got James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario back to start the match and both players were exceptional in the win, while Ange Postecoglou was also able to get minutes for Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert. He said Destiny Udogie is close to returning as well. Surely the Spurs boss will understand what his Man United counterpart is going through this week, as Amad Diallo is out for the year while Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo joined long-term absences Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount in missing time. But Spurs obviously treated the shorthanded Man United like all their opponents treated the North Londoners the past few months. As a bonus, Spurs defended well enough when they ran out of gas late. This could be a kick-on moment for Postecoglou’s men, and it’s even better knowing the dissatisfaction from a number of supporters regarding the status of the club.
What’s next?
Man United visit old boss David Moyes and Everton at Goodison Park for an early 7:30am ET kickoff Saturday, two-and-a-half hours before Spurs visit Ipswich Town.
How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30 am ET Sunday (February 16)
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United final score: 1-0
Maddison 13'
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Johnson and Sarr on for Spurs
Brennan Johnson and Pape Matar Sarr are both on for Spurs, with Maddison and Bergvall off. Really good return from injury from Maddison, but you could see he was fading. Johnson’s return is very good news for Spurs too.
Tel’s shot deflects wide
At the other end a clipped pass to Tel sees him chest it down and his effort is blocked by De Ligt for a corner. Spurs needed a spell of possession.
Vicario denies Garnacho
Another good stop from Vicario to deny Garnacho. United’s winger fires a low shot from the edge of the box but Vicario gets down well to push it away. It’s all United at the moment. Spurs’ fans are getting anxious.
Garnacho denied by Vicario
Big chance for United! Lovely ball from Zirkzee to Garnacho and he’s in. His first shot is saved, then his cutback is behind Hojlund and Spurs clear. United growing into this second half and were nice and composed on the ball there. Until the end. Then it was rushed.
Another half chance for Tel
Another cross into the box is towards Tel but it’s behind him and he stretches for it but can only send his effort over. Good play from Spence to set it up.
Tel scuffs a shot on goal
Spurs have started the second half well and after Kulusevski won a corner kick after bullying De Ligt, the ball drops to Tel but he scuffs his shot on goal and Onana saves.
Half time: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester United
A decent first half here in north London as Spurs are ahead thanks to Maddison’s finish but United have had some big chances on the counter. Spurs’ midfield have controlled the game and United will be happy to go in just 1-0 down at half time.
🚨 Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester United at half time. Decent from Spurs but United dangerous on the break.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) February 16, 2025
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3 things we learned in that first half ⤵️ #THFC #MUFC pic.twitter.com/xigRp3p0rQ
Bergvall and Maddison running the show
As predicted, it’s been a very tough first half for Casemiro and Fernandes in central midfield. Bergvall and Maddison are twisting and turning and are dictating the play. Spurs are looking so much sharper than United, who are sitting in and hoping for a few counters.
Tel denied by Onana
Son is played in superbly down the left and he cuts it back for Tel. He fires a shot on target but Onana pushes it wide. Good football from Spurs. Really good end-to-end game.
Zirkzee’s shoots just wide, then Garnacho fires way over
Spurs have controlled the game but United do look very dangerous. After Zirkzee curls just wide, Garnacho then finds himself in acres of space but curls way over the bar. What a huge chance missed. He knows it and looks to the heavens.
Maddison finishes! — Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester United
James Maddison gives Tottenham the lead! After Son’s volley at the back post is half cleared, Bergvall’s shot is pushed out by Onana and Maddison is there to tap home. Huge roar here. Spurs are ahead and it’s Madisson, who’s back from injury, with the goal.
Big chances for United!
Wow. Couple of huge chances for United. First Hojlund is played in over the top and beats Davies to the ball, then forces Vicario into a save. Then Vicario denies Garnacho and Dalot’s rebound is cleared off the line by Davies.
Spurs have started well
Bright start from the hosts as United are finding it hard to get on the ball. Casemiro and Fernandes as the holding midfielders is a necessity but Spurs are dominating the tempo of this game.
🚨Hello and welcome to north London!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) February 16, 2025
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United. Huge moment in the season for both. Chaos? Probably.
WATCH LIVE, analysis, videos & more ➡️ https://t.co/8MnTqt09QD
3 things I want to see in #THFC v #MUFC ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/GrJEsWEz1A
Welcome to north London! Intriguing team news...
Welcome to a chilly Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a big game for both teams. United have eight teenagers on the bench with plenty of new names to get caught up on. With so many injuries at United in the week, we were expecting it but not to this extent. Tottenham welcome back Vicario, while Bergvall and Tel both start.
😍 Beautiful day for a big game for both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) February 16, 2025
WATCH LIVE, reaction, analysis, videos & more ➡️ https://t.co/8MnTqt09QD #THFC #MUFC #TOTMUN pic.twitter.com/wE1lodfUVu
Tottenham lineup
Vicario; Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence; Bergvall, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Tel
Manchester United
Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Zirkzee, Hojlund, Garnacho
Tottenham Hotspur team news, focus
OUT: Richarlison (lower leg), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Dominic Solanke (knee - MORE), Wilson Odobert (thigh), Cristian Romero (quad) | QUESTIONABLE: Micky van de Ven (fitness), Timo Werner (thigh), Brennan Johnson (calf)
Manchester United team news, focus
OUT: Mason Mount (thigh), Luke Shaw (foot), Jonny Evans (muscular), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Altay Bayindir (other)
Tottenham vs Manchester United preview
As they prepare to meet for the third time this season on Sunday (11:30 am ET), both sides find themselves stuck in an historically bad moment of their club’s history. With 13 Premier League defeats already (and 14 games still to play), Spurs (14th - 27 points) are barreling toward the club’s worst season since 2003-04 when they lost 19 times and finished 14th. And things aren’t any better for Manchester United (13th - 29 points), who have finally bottomed out (maybe) after years of slowly sinking as a result of numerous regrettable managerial hires and player signings. The Red Devils were also on the wrong end of Spurs’ best results of the season — 3-0 in the PL in September, and 4-3 in the League Cup quarterfinals — serving as Dr. Manchester United, for the notorious “Dr. Tottenham.”
Spurs’ injury crisis appears to be relenting at long last and as many as six players could make their long-awaited returns from injury in the coming days. Chief among them would be hopefuls Micky van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario and Brennan Johnson, but any combination of the six will give Postecoglou new options to change the game in the second half. Vicario, James Maddison and Destiny Udogie are all expected to be available for Sunday’s game, with Van de Ven, Johnson, Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke still targeting next week. Ruben Amorim doesn’t have an injury crisis to point to as the main reason for his side’s poor results since he took over back in November (4W-2D-7L in the PL, and 9W-3D-8L in all competitions), with few, if any, signs of improvement in nearly three months.
