Ruben Amorim moans ‘my job is so hard’ as Manchester United lose again at Tottenham - reaction

Tottenham 1-0 Manchester United: James Maddison scored an early winner as Spurs won at home in the league for the first time since November

Ange gives Amorim his backing

James Maddison’s early goal was the difference as Tottenham claimed a crucial Premier League victory over Manchester United, with Ange Postecoglou's side leapfrogging Ruben Amorim’s team in the table and leaving the visitors languishing in 15th.

The returning Maddison lifted Tottenham and the influential midfielder was on hand to fire in the rebound after United goalkeeper Andre Onana spilled Lucas Bergvall’s shot in the 11th minute. It was enough to secure Tottenham’s first home win in the league since the start of November .

But United had chances to level and Tottenham required another returning first-team player, in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, to be at his best to deny Alejandro Garnacho’s stinging shot in the second half.

Garnacho, though, should have done better after firing over the bar when left in space in the box during the first half, while Joshua Zirkzee also missed the target later on with a header from close range.

The result offers some relief for Postecoglou but is United’s 12th defeat of the season. Amorim’s squad was decimated by injuries, with the Portuguese forced to name eight teenagers on his bench without a first-team appearance between them.

“I have a lot of problems. My job is so hard but I’m here to continue my job to the next week with my beliefs. I will try to do it, I will try to win again,” Amorim told Sky Sports, with a trip to in-form Everton up next.

Follow all the latest from the Tottenham vs Man Utd in our live blog:

Tottenham vs Man Utd LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

• FULL TIME! Tottenham claim rare home win by defeating Man Utd 1-0
• James Maddison scores only goal as Ange Postecoglou's side secure big win
• Ruben Amorim's struggles continue as injury-hit Man Utd fall to 15th
• ‘My job is so hard’, says Manchester United manager Amorim
• 72' MISS! Joshua Zirkzee heads wide from in front of goal (TOT 1-0 MUN)
• 58' SAVE! Vicario gets down sharply to deny Alejandro Garnacho shot (TOT 1-0 MUN)
• 55' SAVE! Garnacho through but denied by Vicario (TOT 1-0 MUN)
• 24' MISS! Garnacho blasts over the bar from in front of goal (TOT 1-0 MUN)
• 13' GOAL! James Maddison follows in after Andre Onana spills (TOT 1-0 MUN)
• Eight teenagers on Manchester United bench as Amorim hit by injuries

[16 February 2025 18:16 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

88 mins: SAVE! Casemiro is left free in the box from Fernandes’ corner but heads straight at Vicario, who makes a simple stop.

At the other end, Sarr scampers away and releases Tel, whose shot is blocked by De Ligt. Tel shoots straight at Onana, who then throws out to Dorgu.

Porro presses quickly and wins the foul.

[16 February 2025 18:13 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

84 mins: This can’t finish 1-0, surely? United have a corner and it almost breaks to Casemiro, but his shot on the turn is blocked by Spence.

Then, Tel is released, but can’t find Johnson to his right, so United will come forward again. It does not appear as if Amorim will make any changes today.

[16 February 2025 18:10 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

82 mins: Patrick Dorgu has not managed much attacking from left wing-back, but he can’t keep a cross in play after making a run down the side of the Tottenham box. A waste.

[16 February 2025 18:07 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

79 mins: SAVE! Son tees up Kulusevski in the box but he hits it straight at Onana.

Straight down the other end and Spence makes a wonderful challenge on Hojlund as he lined up his shot.

[16 February 2025 18:05 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

78 mins: Two more changes for Spurs - Danso and Bentancur make way for Gray and Bissouma.

Unsure if Danso picked up something chasing back on Hojlund...

[16 February 2025 18:03 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

74 mins: United are still to make a substitution in this game but are finding a second wind and have Spurs pinned back. Casemiro goes down in the box under the challenge from Spence but there’s nothing in it .

At the other end, Tel fires straight at Onana as Spurs countered.

(Getty Images)

[16 February 2025 18:00 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

72 mins: CHANCE! United should be level. Mazraoui pings in a first time cross and finds Zirkzee all on his own, but the forward can’t flick the header on target. He glances wide.

Then Hojlund hits straight at Vicario from the edge of the box .

(Getty Images)

[16 February 2025 17:58 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

70 mins: Great challenge from Kevin Danso. The Tottenham centre-back races to challenge Hojlund after Zirkzee slipped him through. Good covering.

[16 February 2025 17:57 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

68 mins: Tottenham are growing in confidence with legs off the bench - they arguably should do better on the counter, but it comes to Son on the left and his shot is blocked wide by Mazraoui.

Son goes for goal from the corner - and isn’t too far away .

[16 February 2025 17:52 · Jamie Braidwood]

Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

64 mins: Changes for Spurs - Postecoglou must be so pleased to have options again. Johnson and Sarr replace Maddison and Bergvall. A great shift from Maddison.