Tottenham Hotspur have done a complete turn-around on their fortune following a slow start to their Premier League 2024/25 campaign, and defender Micky van de Ven has been highly praised following the Lilywhites 3-0 win over Manchester United last weekend.

Ange Postecoglou has secured the sail following an underwhelming start to their season, and Spurs are in some winning role going into the Europa League matchday 2 game against Ferencvárosi later today.

Heading into today’s game, the squad will have a good hangover of their time at Old Trafford, where they triumphed owing to an exemplary display. And their £34 million star Micky van de Ven played a magnificent game on Sunday night, which also got Manchester United legend Gary Neville hailing the former Wolfsburg star. 

Tottenham’s Van de Ven channels Bale in Man United win

The player turned pundit insists that the run from Micky van de Ven for the visitors opening goal was the best he has seen from a centre-back. Neville goes on to compare the Dutchman’s run with the sort of running action Spurs faithful have seen from Gareth Bale.

Speaking on the It’s Called Soccer! podcast, Gary said:

“The run from Van de Ven for the first goal at Old Trafford—it’s probably the best run I’ve ever seen from a centre-back. Certainly live! It was absolutely incredible.“

“The actual cross at the end of it was spectacular. I’ve got this major problem at the moment with centre-backs rolling their foot on the ball, passing it back to one another, passing it sideways, passing it to the goalkeeper… It’s boring me to death!“

“So to actually see a centre-back drive forward with the ball, we don’t see that as much anymore. We don’t tend to see centre-backs driving into space, running with the ball, committing people.“

“He has an unbelievable running style. He’s got such power in his running. He’s got such a unique running style for a centre-back. It’s almost like a sort of Gareth Bale-style running action.”

VDV’s incredible run rekindles Bale nostalgia

Looking back, it really was one of a kind run from VDV. He intercepted that ball in his own half and used his pace and power to stream through the pitch before squaring the ball into Brennan Johnson, who ensured that he found the back of Onana’s net. It was a high-risk, high-return run complemented by a perfect square ball. 

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Gareth Bale surely used to do that on a regular basis when playing in the Lilywhites colors. It’s one of the things that has made Spurs fans nostalgic for Bale’s explosive style of play, and now Van de Ven seems to be channeling that same energy and confidence.