Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has played down the severity of his injury in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, confirming he was merely struggling with cramp.
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Van de Ven had been absent from Tottenham’s previous 10 matches dating back to November due to a hamstring problem and returned to the Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI at Old Trafford alongside Romero in central defence.
The visitors twice came from behind to take a point back to north London, with Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur cancelling out efforts from Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, and the result saw them go level on points with fourth-placed Arsenal.
The sight of Van de Ven going down again with a fitness issue in the dying moments of normal time will have been a major concern for Postecoglou on the touchline, with Emerson Royal coming on in the Dutchman’s place.
But it appears Van de Ven should be fit to face Manchester City in the FA Cup on Friday after he allayed fears over the issue in his post-match interview with Sky Sports.
‘I think we played a good game, we had a lot of the ball,’ the Netherlands centre-back said.
‘We are disappointed not to get the three points. I am really happy to be back.
‘I had some cramp at the end, it was just cramp in my calf.’
In his post-match analysis, Jamie Redknapp reserved special praise for Van de Ven and described the former Wolfsburg man as a ‘Rolls-Royce’ defender.
‘He’s a Rolls-Royce. He’s got tremendous pace, makes the game look easy, defends well,’ the ex-Liverpool and England midfielder said.
‘There was a couple of times when he ran into space to cover.
‘Especially the way that Spurs play with the full-backs coming in, inverting, you need to be athletic and be able to run into areas.
‘He’s got that speed that not many possess.
‘He can also play as well and alongside Romero they’re forming a formidable partnership.’
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