Tim Sherwood says Tottenham star would have 'jumped at the chance' to sign for Manchester United

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You wouldn’t blame the Manchester United fan for looking at Tottenham with envy on Sunday at Old Trafford.

Despite pressure on Ange Postecoglou after his side’s mixed start to the new Premier League season, Tottenham outclassed Manchester United from start to finish.

Even though Bruno Fernandes was sent off before the break, it was clear from the get-go that the London club were the better team.

That was proven when, after only a few minutes, Micky van de Ven went galloping down the wing like Gareth Bale in his pomp, only to show calmness and cut the ball back for Brennan Johnson to open the scoring.

Erik ten Hag watched his side falter again, with Tim Sherwood pointing out that Spurs played with ‘a clear identity out of possession and in possession’.

You can question and critique Postecoglou’s style all you want, but you know what he is trying to put on the dinner table, it’s just a case of whether you like it or not.

One man who epitomises Postecoglou’s style is Van de Ven because of the speed he has without the ball and how he has to deal with defending such big spaces.

Sherwood highlighted how Manchester United fans would have loved their club to sign a player like Tottenham‘s speed machine.

It needs to be noted that the under-fire ten Hag has signed his fair few Dutch players, including Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich in the summer.

Sherwood added that van de Ven would have ‘jumped at the chance’ to sign for Manchester United given that he is now thriving at Spurs, as he told Premier League Productions (29/09/24 at 5:25 pm).

Micky van de Ven would have ‘jumped at the chance’ to sign for Manchester United

"Tottenham have a clear identity out of possession and in possession," said Sherwood.

"Micky van de Ven picks the ball up, it's a wide open space and look at the pace and power of this kid. Then the ability to find Brennan Johnson with a cross at the far post.

"Manchester United fans must be looking at it and say 'ook, our manager has signed a lot of Dutch players. There is probably one who is very, very good and playing for Tottenham. He might have jumped at the chance to go and play for Man United, but never got the opportunity because he took de Ligt over the top of him. This boy is a thoroughbred. I know Michael (Owen) trains racehorses, he would like to have this one in the stable. Look at the pace, power and the ability of that boy."

Tottenham and Manchester United gulf

There were questions if Manchester United could challenge Spurs for a place in the top four this season.

But going by how the duo have started the season and their weekend display, there is a clear gulf between the two.

READ MORE: Chris Sutton says 38-year-old manager shouldn't get the Manchester United job

Manchester United are probably worried about getting into Europe full stop, whilst Spurs are battling Chelsea, Aston Villa and perhaps Newcastle for Champions League football.

You can safely say that the Premier League title battle is between Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, who are sitting top of the tree.