In quotes that will certainly have grabbed Jose Mourinho’s attention, Tottenham Hotspurs’ Toby Alderweireld has plunged fresh doubts over his future by hitting out at their management over his prolonged omission from the team last season.
Alderweireld had, up to last season, formed an outstanding centre-back partnership with fellow countryman Jan Vertonghen at the heart of Spurs’ defence. Daniel Levy secured the signature of the impressive youngster Davinson Sanchez from Alderweireld’s former club Ajax, who went on to take Alderweireld’s place.
Granted, Alderweireld was hampered by a hamstring injury mid-season, however, he appeared back to full fitness and form at this summer’s World Cup as Belgium impressed in reaching the semi-finals.
READ MORE: How to watch all Man Utd pre-season matches for viewers in the UK and Ireland
The defender admitted that he played with a point to prove and launched an astonishing attack on Mauricio Pochettino in the process in quotes featuring on Sky Sports:
“I was very focused on this tournament, I wanted to prove something to me, show that the period before the tournament in which I, for whatever reason, did not play, it was unjustified”.
Unjustified? Ouch.
This follows up an interview he gave to the Belgian press in June when asked about his peculiar situation at Spurs. Alderweireld talked about having ‘his own idea’ about what he wanted to do.
Alderweireld, at optimum form and injury free, would undoubtedly stroll into United’s backline and it is a rarity that premium defenders become available on the market. United have longed for a consistent, reliable centre-back for what seems an absolute age and Alderweireld certainly falls into that category.
Spurs know this will be the last opportunity to cash in on Alderweireld, as he will either leave for free or a one-year extension will trigger a release clause of a bargain £25M.
It seems Alderweireld is angling for a move, but one infamous thing stands in the way.
Daniel Levy.
