Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer wowed by Rodrigo Bentancur after Tottenham v Manchester United
Rodrigo Bentancur is undroppable for Tottenham after being picked out by Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer for his performance against Manchester United.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast (30 September), both pundits lauded the Urugayan's ability on the ball as he kept the tempo ticking over in Spurs' 3-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday (29 September).
Picked at the base of an extremely attack-minded midfield by Ange Postecoglou, Bentancur hardly broke sweat in a composed showing, sat between James Maddison and man-of-the-match Dejan Kulusevski.
Lineker said: “Bentancur's a player – he is a lovely footballer. I know he’s had his injury problems over the last couple of years.
"But in that sitting role there, he’s just so calm, so good on the ball, so comfortable in possession."
Shearer added: “He’s a really clever one, intelligent. It was a really good game from him."
Rodrigo Bentancur shows value to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham
As strong as Bentancur has been for the Lilywhites so far this season, eyebrows will have been raised upon seeing him listed to anchor an incredibly front-footed midfield before kick-off at Old Trafford.
After kick-off though, it was a different story, as Spurs laid siege to the hosts' box, Kulusevski and Maddison were given free rein to race forward at every opportunity by Bentancur sitting in the pocket.
The Uruguayan completed 96 per cent of his passes from the base of Spurs' midfield [FotMob], threading eight into the final third and creating two chances for his team-mates in the process.
Bentancur also nailed his only attempted long ball and registered 0.04 expected assists, and though he had 90 touches in total, it was in defence where the 27-year-old really shone.
A total of eight ball recoveries also saw Bentancur chip in with three defensive actions in total, including two tackles and an interception to keep United's rare forages forward at bay [SofaScore].
Furthermore, the Uruguayan was extremely difficult to knock off the ball, winning 67 per cent of his ground duels and one of two in the air, as well as a free-kick in the first half.
Pape Sarr's introduction from the bench late on saw him flick the ball on for Dominic Solanke to make 3-0, but Bentancur's performance throughout makes him the clear first choice at the base of midfield.
In other Tottenham news, Gary Neville said one Spurs star's "brilliant" moment at Old Trafford was one of the best he'd ever seen.