Tottenham midfielder James Maddison's early goal proved enough for the hosts to edge a 1-0 victory over fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United on Sunday.
Maddison, back in the starting lineup after injury, tapped home a rebound from close range in the 13th minute to settle a contest in which both sides showed their frailties.
Victory eased the pressure on Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou with his side moving above United into 12th place with 30 points. United dropped to 15th with 29 points.
It was another underwhelming display by Ruben Amorim's United although they did have their chances with Alejandro Garnacho wasting a golden opportunity in the first half.
Garnacho then went close twice in the second half, with Guglielmo Vicario, also returning from injury, called upon twice more to deny the visitors, who are suffering with their own injury crisis.
United youth star Chido Obi made his debut in the final minutes as Spurs held up for their first home league win since November.
Tottenham vs Manchester United latest updates
- GOAL! Maddison tucks home the opener
Full-time
18:24 , Alex Young94min: A huge win for Spurs! A game severely lacking in quality, but three points on the board and they move up to 12th.
92min: Spurs win back to back corners, they need to keep this in the corner. Will Obi get a touch?
91min: Chido Obi is on for his debut, replacing Casemiro.
Three minutes added on.
90min: Two chances for Tel, both rushed by the young striker.
88min: Chido Obi is coming on for United.
86min: Another returnee from injury as Odobert replaces Son.
Still no United sub.
85min: Spurs fans in full voice as the clock ticks down.
82min: Dorgu clatters Johnson as Spurs are breaking, but the referee waves play on and the move breaks down.
80min: Straight up the other end, United win a corner off Spence... which is sent in under Vicario’s bar and the keeper does brilliantly to claw away.
CHANCE!
18:07 , Alex Young79min: Onana denies Kulusevski from close range after a Son cutback.
78min: Gray and Bissouma, replace Bentancur and Danso.
76min: Gray is being warmed up for Spurs.
Still no United sub.
75min: Which comes to nothing.
Into the final 15 now.
74min: United have got a lift from that Zirkzee miss, forcing their first corner of the second half.
CHANCE!
18:00 , Alex Young72min: Zirkzee glances a header just wide! Free header, six yards out but it bounces beyond the far post.
71min: Great defending by Danso to nick the ball off Hojlund.
70min: Son goes for goal after scoring from a corner against United in December.
69min: Corner after corner after corner for Spurs, who have done very little with them.
This time Son’s shot deflected wide.
68min: Spence tests Onana from range, which is an easy one for the keeper.
66min: Spurs have somewhat weathered that United storm and are now back on top and forcing a string of corners.
Amorim is sat looking at his feet in the dugout.
Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
17:52 , Alex YoungPostecoglou is looking to shore up his side by bringing on Sarr and moving Kulusevski to midfield.
No surprise to see Maddison withdrawn but he has been excellent this afternoon. I wonder if Dane Scarlett could be the next change. Tel is lively but has struggled to hold up the ball.
63min: First chances for Spurs as Bergvall and Maddison are off, Sarr and Johnson are on.
62min: The first delivery is headed clear, then it comes straight back from Porro who finds Tel to shoot at goal, but his effort is blocked.
62min: Another corner as Son’s effort spins wide.
61min: Tel takes a Maddison pass on his chest, and spins to shoot at Onna but only wins a corner.
60min: Right on cue, Fernandes sends a beaut of a pass out wide to Dorgu, but the full-back is offside.
Dom Smith at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
17:47 , Alex YoungFernandes playing deeper today because of United's midfield shortage due to injury, but his range of passing remains a real threat.
58min: Vicario again called into action by Garnacho. Spurs are hanging on.
55min: United are creating chances again, this time Garnacho is denied by Vicario and the ball almost falls to Hojlund.
54min: Obi is warming up for United.
53min: Oh, Tel!
Fantastic from Spence to roll Mazaouri and drill a low cross into the area, which Kulusevski flicks on to Tel, but the ball is a tad behind the loanee and he cannot direct a shot on goal.
51min: It’s been a tamer start to the second half for both teams. Spurs much slower at set-pieces and the like.
49min: Ball is recycled out wide and Porro sends another cross it, it falls to Bergvall to see his shot blocked and then Tel forces Onana into a save.
48min: De Ligt makes a right mess of a clearance to give a corner away.
Porro sends it in, but Maguire heads clear.
47min: Casemiro survives the break. No changes from either side.
Second half!
17:32 , Alex Young46min: Back underway.
Maddison’s goal is the difference and they’ve probably just about edged it. Bossed possession but have given up a few decent chances to United, who should have taken at least one of them.
Casemiro looks spent already, but who does Amorim replace him with? A big 45 to come.
Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
17:18 , Alex YoungSpurs have produced a much more energetic and characteristic performance than in recent weeks, though that has included leaving acres of space at the back at times.
United could easily have scored a couple in that half, so it's still anyone's game here.
Half-time!
17:17 , Alex Young47min: There’s the whistle!
45min: One minute added on.
43min: Dorgu almost loses possession to Porro inside his own final third, but the ball trickles out for a throw.
Spurs pressing United very well, but not a shot on target for over 15 minutes.
40min: Son has stayed down after that tackle from Casemiro, who also looks to have hurt himself.
39min: Casemiro booked, that’s been coming since the first whistle.
36min: Porro tries to drill a cross across the face of goal, but no one in white has gambled.
34min: Bergvall spins and fires at goal inside the area but he’s pushed Casemiro first so that’s a foul to United.
Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
17:04 , Alex YoungSpurs look much sharper than they have done in weeks. You can see the difference in Porro, Kulusevski and Son, in particular, while Maddison and Spence are full of verve.
But they're still playing a risky game, affording United loads of space at times. Porro, for example, was caught up the pitch for the huge Garnacho chance.
32min: Spurs boasting 76% possession, but not testing United enough at the moment.
30min: Amorim is very animated on the touchline.
29min: Bentancur almost slips Kulusevski into the area, but his pass has a touch too much spice on it.
CHANCE!
16:58 , Alex Young26min: A great, great chance for Tel after Son is sent scampering down the left by Maddison and then cuts it back.
Onana down to his right to make a good save.
24min: Spurs need to be careful here. United are growing in confidence and are starting to exploit the space in front of the back four.
Dom Smith at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
16:56 , Alex YoungGarnacho has to be doing better with that. So much better. Fernandes did well to win the header and then slip him through. Must be at least testing Vicario, there. United undoubtedly growing.
CHANCE!
16:54 , Alex Young23min: Garnacho has to score, has to!
Fernandes spots him in acres inside the area, he takes a touch and skies it into Row Z.
31min: Maddison fouled again by Mazaouri. United really struggling to close down the space.
19min: Bergvall fancies it today. Three times now he’s shaped for a shot, and the one time he has let fly it led to the opening goal.
17min: United immediately seeing more of the ball, with Dalot and Dorgu getting down their wings.
15min: Right, what do United have in response?
Fernandes is already having a moan.
Dom Smith at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
16:46 , Alex YoungMaddison with a hat-trick of celebrations all in one. The 'chatter' hands, his trademark dart throw, and then shushing the haters. Pretty indecisive, if you ask me.
GOAL!
16:44 , Alex Young13min: Spurs lead!
A great team goal sees Porro send one to the back post for Son to drill at home, that’s blocked, Bergvall’s follow-up is saved and Maddison tucks home the rebound!
10min: But it is United with THREE chances in quick succession as Hojlund beats Davies to the ball and forces a save out of Vicario, then Garnacho curls one from distance which the keeper tips away... and then Hojlund’s follow-up is cleared.
United should be ahead!
9min: Spurs have started the brightest, seeing plenty of the ball.
8min: Clash of heads between Bentancur and Zirkzee. They’re going to be fine.
7min: Spence ducks into the box, leaves Fernandes for dust, but his cross flies out for a goal kick.
6min: A great turn from Son near the corner flag followed by an instinctive cross to the back post towards Kulusevski, but Maguire can mop up.
5min: Tel and De Ligt, reunited from their Bayern days, with an early tangle.
3min: Spurs with most of the ball in the opening stages.
2min: Tel is starting through the middle, with Son on the left.
KICK-OFF
16:30 , Alex Young1min: Here we go!
Here come the players.
Ange Postecoglou on returning players
16:16 , Alex Young"They've been out for a while for it'll take time for them to get back into the swing of things.
“I don’t think many clubs will be playing for goalkeepers during a season, [Vicario] has been so important to us. When we lost him, we were fifth in the table. He’s been a huge loss.”
Guglielmo Vicario plays for the first time since fracturing a foot in the 4-0 win at Manchester City. Back in time for another Manchester thumping?
Looking at the warm-ups, Dorgu appears to be set to play on the left today. Up against Kulusevski and Porro.
Much is expected from Chido Obi, who scored goals for fun for Arsenal’s youth teams before joining Manchester United and continued that form.
He’ll be itching to get on today.
Ruben Amorim on his young bench
15:50 , Alex Young"We have kids with less responsibility, less weight on their shoulders. They are good players.
“If needed we will put the kids to play and maybe we will find good things in this moment.
"Whatever happens in the end it is my responsibility."
Ruben Amorim on mounting injuries
15:45 , Alex Young"Amad was alone, Ugarte was a kick. Toby [Collyer] and Kobbie felt something...
“It is what it is, but we have the kids and they have the opportunity to be on the bench. It is a really hard season and we have to deal with that."
Just the eight potential debutants for United today.
Their bench is something else.
- Harry Amass (17)
- Jack Fletcher (17)
- Chido Obi (17)
- Elyh Harrison (18)
- Ayden Heaven (18)
- Tyler Fredricson (19)
- Sekou Kone (19)
- Jack Moorhouse (19)
...and Victor Lindelof (30).
Fan protest
15:37 , Alex YoungTottenham fan group Change for Tottenham organised a march ahead of the game in protest against chairman Daniel Levy and the board.
Our reporter, Dan Kilpatrick, went along to take a look.
Tottenham fan group Change for Tottenham organised a march ahead of the game in protest against chairman Daniel Levy and the board.
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) February 16, 2025
📹@Dan_KP #TOTMUN pic.twitter.com/ZdPFcPzy5o
So Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison start for Tottenham.
Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert are back on the bench.
On top of injuries for Manchester United, Leny Yoro and Christian Eriksen miss out today due to illness.
Seven of the nine United substitutes have never made a senior appearance.
Confirmed team news: Vicario, Maddison start for Spurs
15:19 , Giuseppe MuroTottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence, Bentancur, Maddison, Bergvall, Kulusevski, Son, Tel
Subs: Kinsky, Udogie, Gray, Bissouma, Sarr, Moore, Odobert, Johnson, Scarlett
Man Utd XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Dorgu, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dalot, Garnacho, Zirkzee, Hojlund
Subs: Harrison, Amass, Fredricson, Heaven, Lindelof, J.Fletcher, Kone, Moorhouse, Obi
Team news is coming up from north London shortly...
Tottenham fans protest
15:04 , Giuseppe MuroA group of Tottenham fans are protesting outside the ground ahead of today’s game.
Change for Tottenham (CFT) have called on fans to "unite in a peaceful march against the board" along the High Road to the stadium, continue to protest inside the ground before kick-off and stage a sit-in in the South Stand after full-time.
Here are some pictures from the protest…
Tottenham vs Manchester United odds
14:48 , Giuseppe MuroTottenham to win: 5/4
Manchester United to win: 2/1
Draw: 11/4
Odds via Betfair and subject to change
Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie and James Maddison have been filmed among the Tottenham squad arriving at the stadium.
Spurs arrivals📍 pic.twitter.com/JFg8pnJb4e
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 16, 2025
Manchester United team news
14:31 , Giuseppe MuroSeveral teenagers could feature for Manchester United amid an injury crisis in the squad.
Midfielders Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer have all been ruled out of the Spurs game, while Amad Diallo is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering ankle ligament damage in training.
Chido Obi, Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone, James Scanlon, Jack Moorhouse and Elyh Harrison have travelled to London, with Ruben Amorim set to make a final decision on his 20-man matchday squad.
January signing Patrick Dorgu is in line for a first Premier League start.
Lisandro Martinez has undergone successful knee surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount remain sidelined.
Tottenham team news
14:23 , Giuseppe MuroGuglielmo Vicario is set to be back in goal for Tottenham against Manchester United after more than two months out with a fractured foot.
Vicario has returned to training and the Italian is expected to come straight in at the expense of Antonin Kinsky.
Destiny Udogie, James Maddison and Brennan Johnson are also available again as the injury situation at Spurs eases, but they are likely to be on the bench.
Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert are also training but may not be ready to return.
How to watch
14:14 , Giuseppe MuroTV channel: Today’s game will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage of Super Sunday beginning at 4pm GMT.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the action live online this afternoon via the Sky Go app.
Tottenham vs Manchester United live
14:05 , Giuseppe MuroIt is 14th versus 15th at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham and Manchester United are two clubs enduring difficult seasons but this still promises to be an intriguing clash in north London.
Injury issues are easing for Spurs but United have been hit by an injury crisis themselves, as problems pile up for Ruben Amorim.
Kick-off today is at 4.30pm GMT, so stay tuned to Standard Sport for all the latest build-up, team news and live updates.
Five teenagers added to Man Utd squad
12:42 , Giuseppe MuroTeenagers Chido Obi, Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone, James Scanlon, Jack Moorhouse and Elyh Harrison have been added to the Manchester United squad that has travelled to London for today’s game.
Ruben Amorim has turned to the academy amid an injury crisis.
The five players have been training with the first-team squad this week.
Amorim will now make a final decision on his 20-man matchday squad.
Tottenham vs Man Utd stats
09:59 , Giuseppe Muro- Tottenham are winless in seven Premier League home games, drawing two and losing five
- After beating Brentford 2-0 in their last league outing, Spurs are seeking back-to-back league wins for the first time since September, when they defeated Brentford and then Manchester United
- Manchester United are unbeaten in four away matches in league and cup, winning two and drawing two since a 2-0 defeat at Wolves on Boxing Day
- The Red Devils have conceded 32 goals in 20 fixtures across all competitions since Amorim took charge, at an average of 1.6 per match
Prediction
09:42 , Giuseppe MuroBoth Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim have benefitted from a clear week of training to prepare a gameplan for this match, which should make for an intriguing tactical battle.
Amad Diallo’s absence will really hurt Manchester United and Tottenham are boosted by the return of some key players, which should just give them the edge.
Spurs need to bounce back after a bruising week in which they were knocked out of both domestic cup competitions and they have beaten United twice already this season.
Tottenham to win 2-1.
Man Utd suffer Amad injury blow
09:24 , Giuseppe MuroManchester United have been hit by a fresh injury blow after Amad Diallo suffered ankle ligament damage in training.
Amad could potentially miss the rest of the season. He has posted a message on his Instagram account to confirm the injury.
“Extremely disappointed to be writing this message in such a crucial time of the season," Diallo said in his post.
“Unfortunately, I will be out for some time with an injury. I will come back stronger than ever! Time to support the boys from the outside. Still loads to play for.”
Diallo has been one of the few bright points during a difficult season for United and his injury is a major setback for Ruben Amorim.
Micky van de Ven return timeframe
Saturday 15 February 2025 23:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnge Postecoglou has defended Tottenham's cautious approach with the fitness of Micky van de Ven, suggesting the club would be risking the Dutchman's long-term future by rushing him back into action.
Van de Ven returned to the side for his latest comeback against Elfsborg in the Europa League a fortnight ago but has sat out the subsequent three games, with Postecoglou saying on Friday that he is still "two to three weeks" from fitness.
The centre-back picked up a hamstring strain against Manchester City on October 30 and suffered a recurrence of the problem on returning to the XI against Chelsea on December 8.
Postecoglou insisted that there was "no issue around the injury anymore" and that the delay in Van de Ven's return was merely around the "mechanics" of his body.
Ange Postecoglou senses 'opportunity' to save Tottenham season
Saturday 15 February 2025 22:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnge Postecoglou says Tottenham must be aiming to win the Europa League after being eliminated from both domestic cups and believes there is still "an opportunity" for the club to quickly move up the Premier League table.
Defeats to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and Aston Villa in the FA Cup last week have forced Spurs to readjust their priorities, with focus now split between success in Europe and rescuing their wretched league season in the final 14 games.
Postecoglou's side are through to the Europa League last-16, where they will face one of Real Sociedad, AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray or Midtjylland in a two-legged tie next month. They remain, though, 14th in the league, with two wins from their last 12 top-flight matches ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Sunday.
Early Manchester United team news
Saturday 15 February 2025 19:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRuben Amorim has confirmed a sickness bug has hit the Manchester United squad ahead of their Premier League clash with Tottenham.
Fortunately for Man United though, it would appear that the bug has not affected the entire squad with Amorim revealing that just one player has been struck down by illness this week and is now a doubt for the Spurs game.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, Amorim said: “It has been a good week. Until two days ago, we had some problems, also as we don't have players back."
Read Amorim's full quotes right here!
Early Tottenham team news
Saturday 15 February 2025 17:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTottenham look set to have all of Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie and James Maddison back in the squad for Sunday’s clash with Manchester United as the club’s long-running injury crisis finally begins to ease.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has also confirmed that forwards Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner are also close to making their respective returns from injury, with winger Wilson Odobert also back in training.
How to watch
Saturday 15 February 2025 15:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 4pm GMT ahead of a 4.30pm kick-off time.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch via the Sky Go website and app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Welcome
Saturday 15 February 2025 11:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham vs Manchester United from the Premier League.
Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is at 4.30pm GMT on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Stick with us for all the build-up, action and reaction.
