Micky van de Ven produced one of the most remarkable assists by a centre-back in Premier League history during Tottenham Hotspur’s match against Manchester United on Sunday.
Ange Postecoglou’s team started strong at Old Trafford, with Van de Ven executing an impressive 60-yard run that broke through the United defense. His accurate pass found Brennan Johnson, who scored from close range, giving Spurs an early advantage. However, Van de Ven was the standout performer with his extraordinary play.
“Absolutely brilliant,” commented Gary Neville during the Sky Sports coverage. “One of the best runs I’ve ever seen from a centre-back.”
Van de Ven’s impact drew widespread acclaim, as he now leads all Spurs players in Premier League assists this season.
Some fans, however, criticized Manchester United’s defensive setup. One remarked: “How can a team be organized this poorly? Van de Ven had so much space to run into.” Another fan praised Van de Ven’s speed, stating: “His pace is like a cheat code. He’s one of the most powerful runners in the league.” A third simply called him “an absolute machine.”
Conversely, others focused on United’s defensive shortcomings, with one fan noting: “That was an unbelievable run, but United’s defense was shocking.” Another said: “Ugarte should’ve halted Van de Ven, but he didn’t recognize the threat until it was too late.”
Van de Ven’s speed is no surprise, as he holds the record for the fastest sprint in Premier League history, reaching 37.38 km/h last season.
Postecoglou has also praised the Dutch defender, recently calling him “a pretty special footballer” after a similar solo effort where he covered over 70 yards to assist Heung-min Son against Everton.
