Former Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf has downplayed Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, insisting that Spurs still look vulnerable and shouldn’t see the result as a turning point.
James Maddison’s early goal secured back-to-back victories for Ange Postecoglou’s side, lifting them to 12th place in the Premier League.
While the result is an improvement, Leboeuf remains unconvinced that Spurs have truly turned a corner.
Injuries have plagued Tottenham in recent months, but the return of key players like Maddison and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has provided a much-needed boost.
Vicario, in particular, delivered an outstanding performance against United, but Leboeuf believes that only highlights Tottenham’s defensive frailties.
“Vicario was fantastic today, but if he was the man of the match, it means Manchester United created real danger,” Leboeuf told ESPN FC. “Spurs looked very vulnerable at the back, partly due to injuries.
If Garnacho had been more precise with his finishing, it could have been a completely different game.”
While Tottenham fans may see this win as a fresh start, Leboeuf warns against premature optimism.
“You can’t just say, ‘This is a new era for us now,’” he added. “No, no, no. Tottenham still look fragile.”
Postecoglou, however, was thrilled to have Maddison and Vicario back in the lineup, praising their impact.
“It was enormous to have them back not just for me, but for the players, the staff, and the fans,” the Spurs boss said. “They are top players, and we’ve really missed them.”
The injury situation is improving, with Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert also making their return as substitutes.
However, Postecoglou confirmed that Son Heung-min, Kevin Danso, and Rodrigo Bentancur picked up minor knocks in the United match.
“They all took some knocks, but I don’t think it’s anything significant,” he explained. “The good thing now is that we can let them recover properly instead of having to rush them back for a midweek game.”
Despite the win, questions remain over Tottenham’s defensive stability. While the return of key players will help, Leboeuf believes Spurs must tighten up at the back before they can truly consider themselves back on track.