Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Thursday's trip to Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Europa League (17:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Destiny Udogie has not travelled with the team but his issue is "nothing significant" while Son Heung-Min is "back in London doing rehab".

• On Sergio Reguilon travelling despite not being named in his Europa League squad: "Sergio is a Tottenham player, that's why he's here. We like to have 20 players for training, we've also brought some young players. They had a game last night and we didn't want to disrupt them too much."

• Postecoglou spoke about his "special connection" with iconic Hungarian player Ferenc Puskas who managed him for three years at Australian side South Melbourne Hellas: "I was blessed to spend three years with him. I was so lucky to have those years with him. I'd love for him to still be around and see where I am today because he played a role in that and also the person I've become."

• On the form of James Maddison: "Madders has been outstanding so far this year. His form from the first game has been really strong. Physically he's back at the levels where he can play in the manner he wants to and have a real effect on the game. I'm sure if he continues in this vein he will be in the conversation for England squads going forward."

• Postecoglou said Dominic Solanke is finding his feet after a "false start" with injury: "We knew what he would bring to the football club. I was very confident that the way we play and his attributes would be a great fit. We had to be patient and he's getting up there now in terms of fitness."

• Is Archie Gray capable of playing central defence in Europe? "Archie can play centre-back, he's played full-back, played midfield, played left-back. He's a very versatile player. He takes in information well. With Radu [Dragusin] being suspended and Destiny [Udogie] out we're definitely going to need him at the back. We've got a couple of different options about where we use him but I'd be comfortable using him in any of those areas."

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Tottenham's James Maddison has praised his young team-mate Mikey Moore, saying the 17-year-old forward is "a man already".

Moore has appeared twice in the Premier League and once in the Europa League so far this season off the bench and will be hoping to feature when Spurs travel to Budapest to face Ferencvaros on Thursday.

"Mikey - I have to sometimes pinch myself and remember how young he is," said Maddison, 10 years Moore's senior at 27.

"He's 17 and came into the group when he was 16. He's a man already. When I watch him play, he's very powerful and only going to get stronger as his body grows.

"He's a great kid. A really well-mannered, polite young man and that's a credit to his parents. That's the first thing you look to as a senior player. And then there's that ability which we see in training all the time and the Spurs fans want to see more of.

"I try to think of what the 17-year-old James Maddison would want to hear from a senior player and it's to be treated like a man but also give advice whenever possible."

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Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray spoke to BBC Radio London about settling in at the club after moving from Leeds in the summer: "It has been amazing so far, I'm really enjoying it. I'm lucky to have the team-mates that I've got. How they've helped me settle into the group has been amazing and I'm really grateful.

"I don't think too much has changed [since moving from Leeds], it's just learning the roles of a different team and manager. Once you've learned that it's quite the same, trying to do as much as you can on the pitch.

"The amount of games [in the Championship] has helped me with being robust and being strong with my body. I can play as many games as possible and I back myself to do that. I'm grateful for the season that I had last year, it helped me a lot and I can take that into this year."

Listen to the full interview here

Nick Godwin
BBC Radio London reporter

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Sometimes you listen to a manager’s post-match comments and immediately delete them from your head. They can be meaningless or emotional or purely attempt to craft an appropriate narrative.

However, Ange Postecoglou genuinely seemed to be identifying a problem that needed fixing after the north London derby defeat to Arsenal. He spoke about how he needed to work out how to lift the confidence levels of some of his players after what was a troubling performance.

Four games and four wins later, that problem looks well on the way to being fixed. Postecoglou's team have won all types of games in all sorts of different ways: scruffy, hard-fought, breathtaking.

The dismantling of Manchester United only happened because a group of players have rediscovered their mojo. Despite Erik ten Hag’s recent difficulties, you do not go to Old Trafford and play with such controlled aggression unless someone, somewhere has sent those players out there believing in a pretty high-risk strategy that may have seemed crazy before the game started.

Brennan Johnson is now in the form of his life, just weeks after looking as though the weight of expectation was suffocating him.

Postecoglou must take credit for identifying the issue and dealing with it. That stuttering Spurs display against Arsenal now seems an awfully long time ago.

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Spurs have won just one of their past nine away games in all European competition, a 2-1 victory at Marseille in the Champions League group stages in November 2022.

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

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You have to admire the audacity of Angeball.

Down to 10 men for over 80 minutes against Qarabag last week and not a bus in sight, let alone one being parked.

Much like when we conceded that early goal against Brentford, the reaction from the players was as if it had not happened. Despite the early red card for Radu Dragusin, his team-mates played with a freedom and tenacity that defied such a catastrophic start.

Ange Postecoglou had forewarned fans about his approach when he spoke at the club's fan forum earlier last week. He was in fine form, laughing that his style of football may well get the heart racing, but he would not have it any other way.

Reminiscent of the famous Danny Blanchflower quote, Ange was adamant his teams will play this way regardless, not least because he wants the fans out of their seats and not bored to tears.

This is real risk-and-reward football and only the brave should apply. The courage it takes to play (and watch) this system - including that high line - is all worth it when it pays off.

Some fans, including myself, have shared concerns about Ange's perceived stubbornness and lack of alternative tactics. But the progress we have made under him so far is there for all to see - even by the most pessimistic fans - and was no more so apparent than in our demolition of an albeit woeful Manchester United side on Sunday.

They say fortune favours the brave and it is wonderful to see Ange's approach starting to yield the results his team's performances so far this season have deserved.

For the first time in a long time, I feel optimistic about this team, even - maybe especially - when we are facing adversity.

I'll enjoy it while it lasts...

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on X, external

Is Micky van de Ven Tottenham's most important player?

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton told the BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club that Cristian Romero is equally as important to Ange Postecoglou's side as the rapid Dutch centre-back.

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

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Leicester City centre-back Conor Coady believes Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven adds "another force" to the Premier League because of his speed and aggression with and without the ball.

"I love watching Spurs because I love how aggressive they are and how they start their play by controlling from the back," Coady said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "They have been fantastic so far [this season] and they will only get better.

"When Virgil van Dijk first came to Liverpool, he set a tone for this style and since then, Arsenal have bought William Saliba and Gabriel for their partnership. It has created a new breed of centre-backs.

"Van de Ven has an aggression to get stuck in and play on the front foot, which is brilliant for the Premier League as it is another added force.

"The way Tottenham have recruited him is spot on because he has given them so many options going forward as well. He leaves a massive hole when he does not play because they have built a team around that style of play. He gives the full-backs a licence to play forward."

Ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "He is one of the quickest defenders I can remember.

"Postecoglou has said many times in interviews that his best two players have to be centre-backs, and they have to be mobile, so that is why he got rid of Eric Dier.

"He demands they play man to man and with absolutely everything, so on their day they are sensational to watch. Their aggressiveness on the press is remarkable."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

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Just two weeks ago, after the loss to Arsenal, Brennan Johnson deactivated his Instagram account because of criticism of his form since making the move from Nottingham Forest last summer.

Ange Postecoglou met the critics with a staunch defence of his forward, lauding Johnson's effort and saying he was "very optimistic" about what lay ahead.

Five goals from his first 38 Spurs games showed no indication Johnson's fortunes were about to markedly change, but the endorsement from his manager has worked wonders.

Four games, four goals, and a number of raucous away ends belting out 'there's only one Brennan Johnson' later, life appears far rosier for the 23-year-old.

The first strike of this run - a late winner in the Carabao Cup at Coventry - led to a sheepish, almost apologetic reaction in front of the travelling supporters. At Old Trafford, his smile was infectious.

Aside from his recent goalscoring exploits, his impact on Spurs' approach is evident, through his attacking intent and willingness to drive at goal.

In the Premier League Johnson leads Spurs in progressive carries [25], carries into the penalty area [22], touches in the attacking penalty area [49] and is second in progressive passes received [61].

Make no mistake, Postecoglou needed this run of form as much as his Wales wingman. After just one win from their opening four Premier League games, they were minutes away from already squandering a chance of silverware before the late comeback at Coventry.

Now, with a first away win at a member of the so-called 'big six' under his belt, and having given fans a first win inside a full Old Trafford since 2018, Postecoglou and his players can look forward with optimism to a busy run of fixtures.

*Stats provided by Opta

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Dejan Kulusevski says Tottenham's dominance against Manchester United marked the true start of their season.

"That's how we need to play," Kulusevski said. "Our season started now. Four wins in a row, the feeling is very good. A lot of happy players and it's showing on the pitch.

"It's the dream to play at Old Trafford, play like this. This is why I've done it. I'm so happy. As a kid you dream about playing in this stadium and playing like that."

Put to the Sweden international it felt like a big moment in Tottenham's season, he said: "Yeah, it was, for sure, but not just the result but playing like this.

"Our pressure first half was unbelievable. They couldn't get out the ball. We won it every time. We won 3-0 but if we were clinical we would win by more."

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We asked for your views on Spurs' commanding win at Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Pablo: Rome wasn't built in a day but the scaffolding is clearly off! Ange has the lads flying. This is why you don't sack a manager after a quiet start.

Ellie: Amazing game from Tottenham. Man Utd weren’t on the ball and we took advantage of that. Happy with the win. We should’ve won more than 3-0. Timo Werner should’ve scored those two one-on-ones with the keeper and so should have Dominic Solanke. Overall, I amhappy with the performance and amazing win from the lads.

Brett: Our best performance of the season - everyone played their part from start to finish. Rodrigo Bentancur looked solid in midfield and the three up front were outstanding.

Daz: Fantastic first-half performance, really enjoyable to watch. Still need to kill teams off earlier and we had plenty of chances to do this. Great result though. Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson were brilliant and good to see Dom starting to put away chances. Got to build on this result.

Doug: Fantastic result - we should have won by a lot more. We’re going from strength to strength and clicking so much more as a team. So chuffed Solanke and Johnson scored again. Good to see the starting players rested and the young players given some valuable minutes. Surely even the negative ones of our fanbase can see the direction we are heading now.

Robert: Sensational performance. The best in a very long time. Completely outclassed United. Could and probably should have won by a bigger margin. Hopefully, this will kickstart our season. More please!

Nick: Whisper it quietly, but this was yet another dominant display that has been seen all season. We are starting to get the results our performances have warranted. People have forgotten that the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle had to plat ultra defensively to take three points. United couldn't come close to competing with us.

Andy: Sure, I’m hard to please, but don’t judge us too highly after this game. United were simply a disgrace -no running and no spirit. A shambles. Werner’s two clear goal chances might hurt us. He’s a willing runner, he covers well, but as at Chelsea, he loses his nerve and prods the ball anywhere! Our two central defenders were magnificent.

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A dominant win at Old Trafford has pushed Tottenham into eighth in the Premier League, but there are still lessons to be learned from Sunday's display.

"They were great and it was a performance that they needed," said former top flight midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. "The only thing I still worry about is their killer instinct.

"If there is one negative from the game it is that they did not put five or six past Manchester United, when they could have. They got comfortable and saw the game out in a weaker manner.

"They need to improve on that and be more ruthless with the players that they have. But the win will help them and push them to be stronger going forward now."

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Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Manchester United's loss to Tottenham was "the type of performance which gets the manager the sack."

Ten Hag's side have lost consecutive Premier League matches without scoring at Old Trafford for the first time since November 2021, in what were Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final two home games in charge of the club (0-5 v Liverpool and 0-2 v Manchester City).

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Sutton said: "Especially in the first half, Tottenham could have been out of sight, and do you know what? It was 'Angeball' at its best. There is no finer sight in the Premier League when Spurs do it right."

Following Ten Hag's post-match comments, Sutton added: "How many times have we heard Erik Ten Hag come out with comments like that 'we will learn from it?

"He's got verbal diarrhoea - I don't know what game he was watching. And, the lap at the end, it's is a lap for losers.

"If I'm a Manchester United fan and I'm hearing my manager come out and make out that the sending off changed the game - they got slaughtered in the first half.

"Slaughtered. Spurs should have been out of sight, I've never heard so much rubbish."

Listen to Sutton's comments here

Former Newcastle United co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi are in advanced talks to buy a stake in Tottenham Hotspur. (Mirror), external

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Highlights and analysis from Sunday's two Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

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And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 4-2 Leicester City

• Wolves 1-2 Liverpool

• Ipswich Town 2-2 Aston Villa

• Manchester United 0-3 Tottenham

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Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson has been speaking to Sky Sports after today's win: “11 v 11, or 11 v 10 we completely dominated the game. We had a clear game plan and we did exactly what we wanted to do.

On his goal: "Once the cross came to me I was happy to put it in. The way we play, the minute we get the chance to put an early cross in we do. The manager demands that we are at the far post."