Tottenham Hotspur claimed an impressive 3-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, with manager Ange Postecoglou earning praise for his tactical setup from pundit Micah Richards. The match saw Spurs take an early lead through Brennan Johnson, who finished off a swift move initiated by the ever-dynamic Micky Van de Ven. United’s chances were dealt a blow just before halftime when Bruno Fernandes received a red card from referee Jarred Gillet for a reckless challenge on James Maddison. In the second half, Dejan Kulusevski added a well-taken goal, and Dominic Solanke capitalized on poor defending by the hosts to score from a set-piece, sealing a comfortable win for the North London club.
Postecoglou’s decision to field Johnson and Timo Werner on either side of Solanke, in the absence of injured captain Son Heung-min, proved to be a key tactical choice. Kulusevski and Maddison were paired with Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield, providing balance and creativity. Richards commended Postecoglou’s strategy, calling it a “masterstroke,” and highlighted the Australian’s ability to adapt his lineup with Son unavailable.
With Son sidelined, Postecoglou was tasked with reshaping Spurs’ attack, opting to incorporate Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner, Solanke, and Johnson all together. This combination resulted in an attacking display that overwhelmed Manchester United. Spurs recorded 24 shots and generated an impressive 4.59 expected goals, showcasing their offensive dominance. The scoreline could have been even more decisive if Spurs had capitalized on all their chances.
Speaking on *The Rest is Football* podcast, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards praised Postecoglou’s tactical approach. “Tactically, it was brilliant,” Richards said. “We know Kulusevski can play across the front line—left, center, and right. The fact that Postecoglou went with Johnson and Werner on the wings, Solanke leading the line, and had Kulusevski dropping into the number eight role, swapping with Maddison in the number 10—it was a masterstroke. Most managers in that position would have gone more defensive, maybe used a player like Sarr next to Bentancur, with Maddison ahead. But Postecoglou’s decision to use Kulusevski, who can dribble, pass, shoot, and score, was bold, and he deserves a lot of credit for it.”
Despite the resounding victory, Postecoglou was not entirely satisfied with his team’s execution. The former Celtic boss expressed visible frustration at the lack of clinical finishing from some of his players. He particularly directed his ire at teenage substitute Lucas Bergvall, who squandered two late opportunities to extend Spurs’ lead. Introduced in the 77th minute, Bergvall chose to shoot from distance on one occasion when Mikey Moore was unmarked to his left, and in another instance, he opted to pass to Moore when better options were available. Postecoglou’s fury from the touchline was evident, as he demanded more decisiveness from his young prospect.
Ultimately, the match highlighted Postecoglou’s tactical flexibility and his ability to maximize his squad’s attacking potential even without key players like Son. The decision to trust his younger and less experienced players also reflects the manager’s confidence in his squad depth. With this victory, Spurs continue to showcase the exciting football that Postecoglou has been known for, and Richards’ praise underlines just how well the Australian is adapting to Premier League management.