Ange Postecoglou includes Micky van de Ven in the starting eleven for the Manchester United game after two months out with a thigh muscle injury. Van de Ven returned to the matchday squad for the FA Cup third round win against Burnley, but was left on the bench despite a late injury to Ben Davies.
In van de Ven’s absence, Davies has been superb for Tottenham and Postecoglou, so his thigh muscle injury is a cruel blow just as the Lilywhites were welcoming van de Ven’s return: “In the last game, Ben Davies came off with a thigh muscle problem. He is probably going to be out for about a month.”
Cristian Romero also had a hamstring problem but surprisingly returned to the starting eleven for the Old Trafford game. January signing Radu Dragusin was therefore named on the bench and made his debut late on as Spurs tried to defend a possible point given to them by Rodrigo Bentancur after first-half goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Richarlison and Marcus Rashford.
However, van de Ven fell to the ground just before the 90th minute and was holding his calf, which looked like a cramp. Given that he hadn’t featured for Spurs for over two months, this was understandable, but he was withdrawn just moments after that stoppage and Emerson Royal came on in his place.
When he limped off the field, another injury he suffered was the worst-case scenario, but he was later caught clapping for the fans with no clear signs of a new problem. After the game, van de Ven and Timo Werner had a chat, with the defender commenting on the real reason for his substitution.
“In the end there was a cramp,” he told Sky Sports. I hadn’t played for two and a half months and the intensity was really high, but it was just a cramp.” There was understandable concern among many when they saw van de Ven on the floor, but his immediate updates indicate that there are no muscular problems.
Fortunately for van de Ven, Spurs have a two-week break before returning to action, although it will be a big test against Manchester City in the FA Cup. James Maddison, who has returned from an ankle injury, could give Postecoglou a big boost as he is expected to return to full-team training on Monday.