The former Premier League manager and international coach pointed to two specific signings when explaining why Tottenham are “a much better team than Manchester United”, and even Erik ten Hag did not escape criticism.
A look at the results this season shows that Tottenham and Man Utd are moving in opposite directions. Spurs look like a transformed team under Anže Postecoglou and are once again one of the most comfortable sides on the ladder.
Man Utd, on the other hand, are out of the League Cup, relegated from Europe and struggling in the Premier League. Before Tuesday’s clash with Aston Villa, United had lost 13 of 26 games in all competitions this season.
Tottenham also boasts one of the best club stadiums in the country, while Old Trafford is falling into disrepair.
The two clubs have also clashed recently in the transfer market, which has been very confrontational.
Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven and James Maddison have had a big influence at Spurs.
In contrast, Rasmus Hojlund has yet to score in the Premier League, while it is increasingly certain that Jadon Sancho and Antony will never prove their value for money.
According to former manager Gordon Strachan, the signings of Maddison at Spurs and Mason Mount at Man Utd show why the teams are moving in different directions.
Strachan, who played for United between 1984 and 1989, also argued that Ten Hag should take some of the blame as he was inclined to pick two midfielders.
With Bruno Fernandes occupying the No.10 role in Ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1 system, Mount was projected for one of the two holding roles before his injury problems. According to Strachan, this is a position that Mount is not capable of playing.
Mount is not as important a player as Maddison – Strachan
“Mason Mount is one of those players who waits for people to come to him instead of taking the ball and being a differentiator and beating players with the ball at his feet,” Strachan said (as quoted by the Mirror).
“That’s the difference between him and Maddison; Maddison is looking for contact with the players, he wants to take the players on and make things happen.
“The days of two sitting centre backs and a No 10 player have become obsolete because football is progressing so quickly.
“If you want to be a top team, you need two central midfielders who can think, can intercept and then use their imagination to hurt the other team in different ways.
“Tottenham is a much better team than Manchester United in that respect.”