98% overall rating: Tottenham star now undroppable, Gary Neville stunned by what he did
Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven delivered a stunning performance against Manchester United, leaving pundit Gary Neville in awe.
Spurs secured a comfortable 3-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 29, with goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke.
However, it was Van de Ven’s incredible display that stole the show, particularly his jaw-dropping run that led to Johnson’s early opener.
Speaking live on Sky Sports, Neville described Van de Ven’s 70-yard surge past six Manchester United defenders as one of the finest runs he’d ever witnessed from a center-back.
The Dutchman’s powerful drive through United’s defense set the tone for the game, with Johnson capitalizing by tapping home from close range.
Neville couldn’t hide his admiration, calling Van de Ven’s contribution “absolutely brilliant,” a performance that left many stunned.
From the first whistle, Van de Ven was pivotal in controlling Manchester United’s lackluster attack. His early assist for Johnson showcased his vision and attacking prowess, further establishing him as a force on both ends of the pitch.
Even though he was substituted nine minutes from the end, Van de Ven had already made his mark, playing a crucial role in Spurs’ dominant display.
Statistically, Van de Ven was exceptional. According to FotMob, he completed 98% of his 87 attempted passes, including the all-important assist for Johnson’s goal.
His presence in the final third was evident, with five of his successful passes moving the ball forward into dangerous areas.
Van de Ven even managed to produce a combined 0.09 expected goals and 0.57 expected assists, highlighting his influence in creating scoring opportunities for his team.
On the defensive side, Van de Ven’s performance was equally impressive. Although Manchester United posed little threat, the Dutchman still stood firm when called upon.
He registered four recoveries and made key defensive actions, including a block and clearance. Van de Ven also demonstrated his versatility, winning a free-kick and conceding one at the other end of the pitch.
His long-range passing was flawless, and while he did lose two duels, it was a minor blemish in an otherwise stellar showing.
The only slight criticism came in his duel success rate, where he won just 33% of the challenges he faced. However, this small shortcoming is unlikely to concern Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou, given the overall dominance Van de Ven displayed throughout the game.
His ability to combine defensive solidity with attacking contributions is precisely why he has become such a valuable asset to Spurs.
As the match drew to a close, Van de Ven received well-deserved applause from the traveling Tottenham fans.
His performance wasn’t just a display of defensive excellence but a testament to his all-around capabilities.
Spurs, their management, and supporters can certainly count themselves fortunate to have a player of Van de Ven’s caliber in their squad.
In summary, Micky van de Ven’s performance against Manchester United highlighted his growing importance to Tottenham.
His combination of defensive solidity and attacking involvement was nothing short of remarkable, as reflected in his impressive passing statistics and his crucial assist for the opening goal.
With displays like this, Van de Ven continues to cement his place as one of the most exciting young defenders in the Premier League.
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