Tottenham Hotspur showed great character to salvage a point against Manchester United last weekend.

Spurs missing a glut of chances in the first half came back to haunt them when Manchester United took the lead in the 73rd minute against the run of play via Bryan Mbeumo. Minutes later, Roberto De Zerbi’s side went a man down as substitute Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for violent conduct. Yet it didn’t discourage them, and their persistence paid off in stoppage time when Dominic Solanke outmuscled Lisandro Martinez to plant a header past a rooted Senne Lammens for the equaliser.

James Maddison took another step towards full fitness by coming off the bench for 20 minutes against Man United. The creative midfielder has been restricted to cameo appearances since returning from an ACL injury in May 2026. He played a few games, as Spurs narrowly avoided relegation last term.

James Maddison backed to silence Tottenham naysayers

Recovering from his ACL injury has been taxing for Maddison. It has included several setbacks and bumps on the road, and keeping that in mind, Roberto De Zerbi has been carefully managing the England international’s minutes.

Football Insider correspondent Pete O’Rourke feels Maddison’s future lies with Tottenham despite the midfielder not attaining full fitness. He thinks the 29-year-old has a point to prove to his naysayers, and De Zerbi certainly needs leaders like him in his Spurs squad.

“I don’t think there are any concerns about his future,” Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast (h/t Football Insider).

“The criticism is a bit harsh. He’s only made five substitute appearances so far this season. And we’ve got to remember, Maddison is still working his way back to full match sharpness and fitness after that long spell out with injury.

“He missed almost a year of action with that serious injury that he had, and he obviously came back at the back end of last season.

“A fit and firing James Madison improves that Tottenham team for me; there’s no doubt about that, and I’m sure he’ll have a point to prove himself after that long spell out injured.

“He’ll want to get back to full fitness and prove that he still is a top player.”

Maddison has a big role to play this season

Recently, Coventry City academy coach Richard Stevens backed Maddison to be a “difference-maker” for Tottenham this season. Despite spending big on attacking players, De Zerbi’s side have struggled with creativity and goals. Maddison is a sort of playmaker who can provide both in equal measure, and he was doing that for Tottenham before a cruel ACL rupture.

De Zerbi is aware of the Englishman’s quality and explained the importance of getting him back fully fit. The warm-weather training organised by the Italian boss should help Maddison to further improve his fitness levels and push to start games for our club. The Coventry-born star’s first start for the North London club, whenever it happens, will be massive.