James Maddison’s early goal was the difference as Tottenham claimed a crucial Premier League victory over Manchester United, with Ange Postecoglou's side leapfrogging Ruben Amorim’s team in the table and leaving the visitors languishing in 15th.
The returning Maddison lifted Tottenham and the influential midfielder was on hand to fire in the rebound after United goalkeeper Andre Onana spilled Lucas Bergvall’s shot in the 11th minute. It was enough to secure Tottenham’s first home win in the league since the start of November .
But United had chances to level and Tottenham required another returning first-team player, in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, to be at his best to deny Alejandro Garnacho’s stinging shot in the second half.
Garnacho, though, should have done better after firing over the bar when left in space in the box during the first half, while Joshua Zirkzee also missed the target later on with a header from close range.
The result offers some relief for Postecoglou but is United’s 12th defeat of the season. Amorim’s squad was decimated by injuries, with the Portuguese forced to name eight teenagers on his bench without a first-team appearance between them.
“I have a lot of problems. My job is so hard but I’m here to continue my job to the next week with my beliefs. I will try to do it, I will try to win again,” Amorim told Sky Sports, with a trip to in-form Everton up next.
Follow all the latest from the Tottenham vs Man Utd in our live blog:
Tottenham vs Man Utd LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
- FULL TIME! Tottenham claim rare home win by defeating Man Utd 1-0
- James Maddison scores only goal as Ange Postecoglou's side secure big win
- Ruben Amorim's struggles continue as injury-hit Man Utd fall to 15th
- ‘My job is so hard’, says Manchester United manager Amorim
- 72' MISS! Joshua Zirkzee heads wide from in front of goal (TOT 1-0 MUN)
- 58' SAVE! Vicario gets down sharply to deny Alejandro Garnacho shot (TOT 1-0 MUN)
- 55' SAVE! Garnacho through but denied by Vicario (TOT 1-0 MUN)
- 24' MISS! Garnacho blasts over the bar from in front of goal (TOT 1-0 MUN)
- 13' GOAL! James Maddison follows in after Andre Onana spills (TOT 1-0 MUN)
- Eight teenagers on Manchester United bench as Amorim hit by injuries
Tottenham Hotspur FC 1 - 0 Manchester United FC
Tottenham fans call for Daniel Levy exit at protest ahead of Man Utd clash
21:01
,
Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham Hotspur fans turned out in numbers to protest against chairman Daniel Levy and the club’s ownership before Sunday’s home fixture with Manchester United.
Frustration amongst supporters has increased throughout a difficult winter period and last week saw Ange Postecoglou’s injury-hit team crash out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in the space of 72 hours.
Fan group Change for Tottenham had already arranged a protest for the visit of United and a crowd of at least two thousand made their way down the High Road before they congregated outside the stadium where various chants for Levy to leave the club followed.
A number of banners were held up as fans gathered outside the West Stand.
The largest – aimed at majority owners ENIC – read: ‘24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy – Time for change’.
Why Tottenham v Manchester United was one of the worst games in Premier League history
20:30
,
Miguel Delaney, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Towards the end of Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, with the game still in the balance, both Brennan Johnson and Patrick Dorgu lost theirs. The two players careered into each other, leaving them falling to the floor.
It was a moment to sum up what must have been one of the worst Premier League matches ever played, relative to the cost of both squads. This isn’t to criticise either player, or any of the players, or even the managers.
It is just the peculiar context that both clubs find themselves in.
Ruben Amorim on Man Utd's squad: 'We have to work with the kids'
20:01
,
Jamie Braidwood
Ruben Amorim responds to questions surrounding the club’s decision not to recruit any forward players in January, after letting Marcus Rashford and Antony leave and now losing Amad Diallo to injury.
"You know the situation, we cannot bring in players without selling players. Then we try some situations and it was not possible.
"We have young kids and we have to work with the young kids. We were not expecting so many injuries in one week. These things happen. Let's focus on the next game."
James Maddison ‘shushes’ Roy Keane as Tottenham star hits back at critics with goal celebration
19:31
,
Jamie Braidwood
James Maddison appeared to hit back at criticism from Roy Keane as the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder scored the winner against Manchester United on his return from injury and shut down the “outside noise” surrounding his performances.
The England international had clearly taken note of Keane’s comments on the Overlap podcast this week, in which the former United captain said Maddison’s return from injury wouldn’t make a difference to Ange Postecoglou’s struggling side.
Ruben Amorim on defeat: 'One goal was always going to make the difference'
19:09
,
Jamie Braidwood
Ruben Amorim, speaking to Sky Sports, on Manchester United’s defeat to Tottenham.
"In the end, they score, we didn't. That was the big difference in the game. We had a lot of chances but in the end they scored one and we didn't.
"The first step is to create situations. We have had games where we are around the box and not created situations. This game we create situations. But in this game with two teams not doing well, one goal was always going to make the difference.
"You start with one idea. We were asking about a long week for so long. And we worked our principles but day after day you lose players that change your approach to the game. I could not play the same way with Joshua [Zirkzee] as I can with Amad [Diallo].”
Ange Postecoglou on Spurs win: 'The result was everything'
18:56
,
Jamie Braidwood
Ange Postecoglou, speaking to Sky Sports, as Tottenham climb to 12th with their first home win in the Premier League since November.
“Our league position is not anywhere near what it should be and today was an opportunity to start addressing that. We had a good week of training and had players back.
"We've had it tough the last few months, not for a lack of effort. It was important to gain some traction - we can play better and I think we will once we get the boys back up to speed.
"Our press was better. We made it hard for Man Utd to get out. We looked sharper but still lacked fluency in the final third. It was a decent effort."
James Maddison hits out at 'outside noise' around Tottenham
18:44
,
Jamie Braidwood
James Maddison returned to the scoresheet as he provided the winner in Tottenham’s victory over Manchester United, and made clear in his celebration that he had a message for the haters:
"There was a little bit of outside noise this week,” he tells Sky Sports. “People will have their opinions. Nobody is more critical of me than myself. The gaffer prefers when we are in our own bubble but it's difficult with social media, you see this stuff.
"To be fair to the boys who have been fit all season, we don't want to make excuses, but the last few months have been really difficult. The lads who have relentlessly been going every three days, it's nice to be an injured player coming back to take the pressure off them.
"It's about us being present now and leading like they did during the bad run."
it just gets worse for Ruben Amorim
18:33
,
Jamie Braidwood
Familiar scenes as the Man Utd players applaud the away end after defeat. Out of their last 12 Premier League games, Ruben Amorim’s side have lost eight, winning three and drawing one.
That’s just 10 points from a possible 36, and they drop to 15th in the Premier League table after 25 games played.
Tottenham end winless run at home
18:28
,
Jamie Braidwood
A long time coming. Victory for Tottenham over Manchester United is their first Premier League win at home since 3 November.
Since that 4-1 win over Aston Villa, Ange Postecoglou’s side had gone seven games without victory, losing five and drawing two.
Tottenham claim rare win as Man Utd fall to 15th in Premier League
18:26
,
Jamie Braidwood
James Maddison’s early goal was the difference as Tottenham Hotspur claimed a crucial Premier League victory over Manchester United, with Ange Postecoglou's side leapfrogging Ruben Amorim’s team in the table and leaving the visitors languishing in 15th.
The returning Maddison lifted Tottenham and the influential midfielder was on hand to fire in the rebound after United goalkeeper Andre Onana spilled Lucas Bergvall’s shot in the 11th minute.
United had chances to level and Tottenham required another returning first-team player in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to be at his best to deny Alejandro Garnacho’s stinging shot in the second half.
Garnacho, though, should have done better after firing over the bar when left in space in the box, while Joshua Zirkzee also missed the target with a header from close range as United failed to score.
The result offers some relief for Postecoglou but is United’s 12th defeat of the season. Amorim’s squad was decimated by injuries, with the Portuguese forced to name eight teenagers on his bench without a first-team appearance between them.
FULL TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:23
,
Miguel Delaney, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
This has been the worst football match I have attended this season.
Compelling in its own way. Low-quality attacking cancels out low-quality defending.
FULL TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:21
,
Jamie Braidwood
And that’s it! A rare home win for Tottenham - their first in the Premier League since November - another defeat for United, they fall to 15th in the table.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:20
,
Jamie Braidwood
90+3 mins: Tel is through! But his touch lets him down and Onana comes out to claim.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:20
,
Jamie Braidwood
90+2 mins: Zirkzee can’t find Dorgu on the break - overhitting his pass through to Vicario. United’s attacking play has been awful today.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:18
,
Jamie Braidwood
90 mins: Three minutes added on. Chido Obi becomes United’s first substitute and comes on for his senior debut.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:16
,
Jamie Braidwood
88 mins: SAVE! Casemiro is left free in the box from Fernandes’ corner but heads straight at Vicario, who makes a simple stop.
At the other end, Sarr scampers away and releases Tel, whose shot is blocked by De Ligt. Tel shoots straight at Onana, who then throws out to Dorgu.
Porro presses quickly and wins the foul.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:13
,
Jamie Braidwood
84 mins: This can’t finish 1-0, surely? United have a corner and it almost breaks to Casemiro, but his shot on the turn is blocked by Spence.
Then, Tel is released, but can’t find Johnson to his right, so United will come forward again. It does not appear as if Amorim will make any changes today.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:10
,
Jamie Braidwood
82 mins: Patrick Dorgu has not managed much attacking from left wing-back, but he can’t keep a cross in play after making a run down the side of the Tottenham box. A waste.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:07
,
Jamie Braidwood
79 mins: SAVE! Son tees up Kulusevski in the box but he hits it straight at Onana.
Straight down the other end and Spence makes a wonderful challenge on Hojlund as he lined up his shot.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:05
,
Jamie Braidwood
78 mins: Two more changes for Spurs - Danso and Bentancur make way for Gray and Bissouma.
Unsure if Danso picked up something chasing back on Hojlund...
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:03
,
Jamie Braidwood
74 mins: United are still to make a substitution in this game but are finding a second wind and have Spurs pinned back. Casemiro goes down in the box under the challenge from Spence but there’s nothing in it .
At the other end, Tel fires straight at Onana as Spurs countered.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
18:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
72 mins: CHANCE! United should be level. Mazraoui pings in a first time cross and finds Zirkzee all on his own, but the forward can’t flick the header on target. He glances wide.
Then Hojlund hits straight at Vicario from the edge of the box .
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:58
,
Jamie Braidwood
70 mins: Great challenge from Kevin Danso. The Tottenham centre-back races to challenge Hojlund after Zirkzee slipped him through. Good covering.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:57
,
Jamie Braidwood
68 mins: Tottenham are growing in confidence with legs off the bench - they arguably should do better on the counter, but it comes to Son on the left and his shot is blocked wide by Mazraoui.
Son goes for goal from the corner - and isn’t too far away .
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:52
,
Jamie Braidwood
64 mins: Changes for Spurs - Postecoglou must be so pleased to have options again. Johnson and Sarr replace Maddison and Bergvall. A great shift from Maddison.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:49
,
Jamie Braidwood
60 mins: Spurs have barely got out of their own half since the restart but find their way forward- Tel’s turning volley touches a touch wide for a corner.
Spurs take it short - Son cuts inside looking for the sight at goal, and his shot takes a deflection wide and behind.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:46
,
Jamie Braidwood
58 mins: SAVE! Brilliant hit from Garnacho, but Vicario gets down sharply to deny him! United are well on top now.
Garnacho brought it down well, facing inside from the left and stepping past Kulusevski. He looked for the near post but Vicario responded.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:43
,
Jamie Braidwood
54 mins: Ooooh. That Tottenham high line is creaking! This time Garnacho is played in by Zirkzee’s pass. He brings the save out of Vicario and can’t find Hojlund with the cut-back on the rebound.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:41
,
Jamie Braidwood
52 mins: Really good play from Spence down the left as he burns past Mazraoui - but neither Kulusevski or Tel can get a touch on it.
At the other end, Dalot is played through by Maguire and forces the save from Vicario. He was onside - but was flagged off. Vicario saved anyway.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:38
,
Jamie Braidwood
49 mins: A wildly bad cross from Son on the left - sailing long of the box. Tottenham could do with a second goal here, given their current run.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:36
,
Jamie Braidwood
48 mins; De Ligt concedes a corner after getting on the wrong side of Kulusevski - it ends in Tel striking on target but his shot does not trouble Onana in goal.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:35
,
Jamie Braidwood
46 mins: A brief moment of panic as Maddison misses his header in the Tottenham box after Fernandes’ free-kick, but Bentancur is there behind him to hack away.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:33
,
Miguel Delaney, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
A first half where you could see why these teams are in the bottom half. It was not high level. If United had any kind of quality in attack, they could have made Spurs' high line pay. As it is, they themselves look like they could concede at any moment.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:32
,
Jamie Braidwood
46 mins: Fernandes gets us back underway.
As a reminder, injuries have left Amorim with eight teenagers on his bench and Victor Lindelof as the only player to have made a first-team appearance. He does not have much to work with.
HALF TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:31
,
Jamie Braidwood
As it stands, Manchester United are dropping to 15th in the Premier League table. That’s unless they can find a way back against Tottenham, who are leap-frogging them into the dizzy heights of 12th.
Second half coming up.
HALF TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:24
,
Jamie Braidwood
United’s first-half woes continue - that’s 15 of the last 16 games where they have failed to score before half time.
HALF TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:20
,
Jamie Braidwood
Well Spurs have certainly been helped by the return of Maddison and Vicario - bringing energy and some assurance to Postecoglou’s side. Maddison was there to profit when Onana spilled Bergvall’s shot, but that came after the goalkeeper had saved well from Garnacho.
But Tottenham are showing some vulnerabilities too, United had a golden chance to equalise but Garnacho shot over. Amorim’s side have carried threat but have been so open defensively - with Casemiro struggling on his own in midfield.
HALF TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:17
,
Jamie Braidwood
No further incident in stoppage time, as Tottenham take a one-goal lead into the break. James Maddison’s goal is the difference.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:15
,
Jamie Braidwood
44 mins: Casemiro is hobbling after that challenge on Son - Mazraoui is the latest to commit a foul as he brings down Spence.
Nothing comes of Son’s cross. Just the one minute of added time.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:11
,
Jamie Braidwood
40 mins: Another United free kick and this one causes more problems as Casemiro knocks it across and Tottenham allow it to bounce in the box.
They eventually clear - then Casemiro brings down Son from behind and is booked.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:09
,
Jamie Braidwood
37 mins: Now Davies is late on Casemiro, giving United a free kick 35 yards from goal.
Fernandes targets Vicario and De Ligt challenges for it - but is caught offside.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:05
,
Jamie Braidwood
34 mins: Gary Neville is covering the game for Sky today and says the space between Fernandes and Casemiro in the United midfield is “madness”. He goes on to say it wouldn’t be seen in “under-9s”.
Maddison is penalised for a late lunge on the United captain.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:04
,
Jamie Braidwood
32 mins: Porro’s corner falls to Bergvall after Bentancur and Davies attack the cross - but a foul is given as Bergvall swings at the volley and United clear.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
17:02
,
Jamie Braidwood
30 mins: This is chaotically open. Fernandes has space to drive down the right but can’t find Hojlund or Garnacho in the box. Then Spurs attack down the left but Son can’t find a way through past Dalot and Mazroui.
Next goal is crucial and could come from anywhere.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
16:58
,
Jamie Braidwood
26 mins: CHANCE! Lovely move from Tottenham as Son is released down the left and the Spurs captain pulls it back into the box. Mathys Tel is lurking but his shot is saved by Onana, who makes amends for his earlier error by pushing out for a corner.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
16:54
,
Jamie Braidwood
23 mins: MISS! DEARY ME. An astonishing miss from Garnacho. Hojlund drags the Tottenham defence away and Garnacho is left with room to take a touch and aim at goal, but the young winger gets it all wrong and blasts wildly over the crossbar.
Amorim howls.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
16:53
,
Jamie Braidwood
22 mins: CLOSE! Zirkzee turns on the edge of the box, works a yard of space, and then sends a dipping shot wide of the post.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
16:52
,
Jamie Braidwood
20 mins; Tottenham are having fun down United’s right, with Maddison, Son and Spence all enjoying little pockets of space.
The United midfield of Casemiro and Fernandes is being pulled apart, while Mazraoui and Dalot are being outnumbered.
Maddison vs Fernandes is a great duel.
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
16:49
,
Jamie Braidwood
18 mins: A big impact from Vicario already, then, as his double save from Hojlund and Garnacho was followed by Maddison punishing Onana’s spill.
Tottenham are alive and are back on the front foot after taking the early lead.
'This could be high-scoring'
16:47
,
Miguel Delaney, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
16 mins: United have looked loose at the back in the early minutes and the warnings were not heeded. Yet another ball from out wide has opened them. Lucas Bergvall forced a save from Andre Onana, that allowed James Maddison to tap in. There is at least hope for United in how they got at Spurs already. This could be high-scoring.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd (MADDISON 13')
16:43
MADDISON IS BACK WITH A BANG!
It’s so poor from United’s defence, who were sleeping. Bergvall is able to bring the ball down and shoot in the box but Onana’s save is soft. Maguire and De Ligt are standing like statues but Maddison is alive, he follows in and puts the rebound away.
Back from injury, there’s the old “darts” celebration from Maddison. He’s back on target.
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
16:41
,
Jamie Braidwood
10 mins: SAVE! AND OFF THE LINE! Man Utd suddenly fly forward and are unlucky not to be in front.
Davies looks like he is running through water as Hojlund is played in over the top. He forces a sharp stop from Vicario, then Garnacho curls towards the top corner and the goalkeeper pulls out another stop up high. Then, Dalot fires at goal and the recovering Davies has to hack away.
Spurs escape.
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
16:39
,
Jamie Braidwood
8 mins: A small stoppage of play as Bentancur and Zirkzee clash heads duelling for a high ball. Spurs resume looking to build some early control once play resumes.
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
16:37
,
Jamie Braidwood
6 mins: Yep, Spurs have started better. Spence beats Fernandes with ease down the left but the full-back can’t keep his cross in play. The home fans, who were protesting before kick off, are getting behind the players on the pitch.
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
16:36
,
Jamie Braidwood
5 mins; Spurs with the first moment of the game as Maddison wins a free kick. They chose to play short but United clear eventually despite a strange pass-back from Garnacho.
Son swings in a cross that evades everyone but is kept in by Kulusevski.
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
16:34
,
Jamie Braidwood
3 mins: A gentle start as both teams figure each other out. There is the chance that 14th vs 15th is as dreary as it suggests, but there are usually fireworks when Tottenham and United meet.
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
16:32
,
Jamie Braidwood
1 min: Relief for Patrick Dorgu, who has returned to left wing back after a difficult debut on the opposite side against Leicester.
Mathys Tel, meanwhile, makes his Premier League debut for Spurs after appearances in both cup exits.
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
16:31
,
Jamie Braidwood
KICK-OFF! Bruno Fernandes leads the Untied team talk before Lucas Bergvalls gets us underway.
Tottenham vs Man Utd LIVE
16:28
,
Jamie Braidwood
Here we go! 14th vs 15th in the Premier League, not quite the ingredients for a classic - but also, it would take a brave observer to predict what’s going to happen.
Tottenham and Man Utd have endured horrible Premier League seasons and have been chaotically unpredictable all year - so who’s campaign is about to get worse?
Kick off is next.
Tottenham vs Man Utd LIVE
16:25
,
Jamie Braidwood
How can I watch the match?
The match will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, with coverage starting at 4pm. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass to watch without a subscription.
Confirmed line-ups
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence, Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison, Kulusevski, Son, Tel
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Garnacho, Zirkzee; Hojlund
Ange Postecoglou on Tottenham's line-up
16:22
,
Jamie Braidwood
Postecoglou is delighted to be able to name Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison in his line-up and calls their returns “extremely important”.
"It's pretty clear what we've been through over the last two and a half months,” he tells Sky Sports.
“A full week of training, some guys being available, it's an opportunity to get some momentum into our league form.
"Having Vic and Madders back is going to be important."
