The Japan Times - 'Welcome to my world', Postecoglou tells injury-ravaged Man Utd

In a clash between two sides that have drastically underachieved this season, James Maddison's goal was enough to take Spurs above United into 12th in the Premier League.

Amorim's men sink to 15th and there is little cause for optimism for the Portuguese after Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez were ruled out until the end of the season.

United were also missing Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw for the visit to north London, leaving Amorim to field eight teenagers on his nine-man bench.

Postecoglou's second season at Tottenham has been ravaged by injuries.

Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke were again absent, but Maddison and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's return helped secure a first home league win since November.

"I could see today Ruben had to put a team together, players out of position, kids on the bench," said Postecoglou.

"Welcome to my world and that's for one game. Now do that for two months, for any club."

Major injuries have been a theme of the Premier League season.

Defending champions Manchester City have declined rapidly without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, while Arsenal must mount a title challenge without any recognised strikers.

Postecoglou has faced criticism that his training methods and intense playing style have contributed to Spurs' severe injury crisis.

But the Australian believes \more sides will suffer a similar fate as fixture congestion piles an extra load onto fatigued bodies.

"We're not going to be the only ones. I've foreshadowed this for a while," added Postecoglou.

"There will be a few that come to my world in the next period and people will see that is not just a reflection of the people involved but the circumstances we've been dealt."

Amorim has won just four of 14 Premier League games since taking charge in November.

Not for the first time, he was let down by his side's finishing as Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee wasted glorious chances to equalise after Maddison's 13th minute winner.

United's return of 28 goals in 25 games is the fifth worst in the Premier League.

"In the end, they score, we didn't. That was the big difference in the game," said Amorim.

"We had a lot of chances but in the end they scored one and we didn't."

United defender Matthijs de Ligt said his side has to have "more hunger" to score, but thinks confidence is also an issue.

"I think the urgency, the hunger to score, that is something that may be lacking," said the Dutch international.

"That's not only on the attackers, it's also on the midfield and the defenders. It's a team thing and we definitely need to improve.

"I think you can say confidence has taken a real hit, especially in the Premier League. If you lose the confidence you lose the game."

K.Tanaka--JT