The Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on Sunday was a crucial one for both teams. Both have been struggling this season, with Spurs sitting in 15th place and the Red Devils just two points ahead in 14th. The pressure was high, as both managers needed a victory to alleviate their precarious positions.
In the lead-up to the game, Postecoglou received a boost when five injured players returned to his squad. However, ex-Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane expressed skepticism about the impact of these returning players, particularly singling out James Maddison. Keane questioned Maddison's ability to step up his game after being taken off during a match against non-league club Tamworth.
Roy Keane, Manchester United legend, said:
“We saw James Maddison at Tamworth, he was taken off! Tamworth are non-league. People say, ‘Maddison’s the man’, but when is he going to step up to the plate?”
James Maddison mocks Roy Keane on TikTok
Keane's words were soon proven wrong when 13 minutes into the game; James Maddison scored what would be the winning goal from a parried Bergvall shot. This marked not only an important victory for Spurs but also an opportunity for Maddison to respond directly - and humorously -to his critics.
Maddison began by "shushing" his critics during his celebration in-stadium. But he didn't stop there; he took it further by posting on TikTok – one of today’s most popular social media platforms – where he juxtaposed Keane's comments with footage of his winning goal.
Tottenham also joined the fun
Tottenham Hotspur joined in on mocking Keane through their official X account which posted a video clip of Maddison's goal and celebration. The caption read: “Madders stepping up 👏.”
This was a significant moment for Maddison, as his strike against Manchester United marked his first-ever goal against the Red Devils. Moreover, it ended Spurs' three-month wait for a home win. Following this victory, Tottenham Hotspur has moved up to 12th place in the Premier League table and is now 13 points away from fourth place. Their next match is against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
James Maddison's response to Roy Keane serves as an entertaining reminder of how sportsmanship can be combined with humor and social media engagement. It also highlights the importance of not underestimating any player's potential impact on a game – regardless of their past performances or current form.
