Paul Scholes admits that the traditional 'Lads, it's Tottenham' phrase is derogatory despite spending his Manchester United career largely getting the better of the London side
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19:54, 21 May 2025
Paul Scholes has addressed the mocking of Tottenham
Paul Scholes has addressed the mocking of Tottenham
(Image: Getty Images)
Paul Scholes admits the "lads, it's Tottenham" expression is "derogatory" - but concedes he and Manchester United always felt confident when they came up against the north London outfit.
The two teams will square off in an all-Premier League Europa League final with Tottenham eyeing a fourth win over the Manchester outfit this season, but it is the Red Devils who go in as favourites with Champions League football on the line for the winner.
Throughout Scholes' time in red United were the dominant side in England and Tottenham were never a threat, albeit they were building towards the end. Sir Alex Ferguson famously came into the United dressing room before a clash with the London side.
Rather than giving a big speech he simply said 'Lads, it's Tottenham' with those three words standing the test of time. It has been used to belittle Tottenham's stature and mentality with Scholes opening up on their approach to games against them.
"'Lads, it's Tottenham' - It feels a bit derogatory to talk about such a great football club like that," he said on TNT Sports. "We were always confident against Tottenham. You still have to play against a team with very good footballers."
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Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle responded and said: "Maybe in that dressing room Ange is saying, 'Listen lads, it's only Man Utd.'"
Tottenham go into the Europa League final wanting to end a trophy drought that dates back to 2008. Since then they've suffered several near misses, losing out in semi-finals and finals as the narrative around them continues.
Ange Postecoglou is looking to succeed where the likes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino failed and is 90 minutes away from delivering a trophy - which the Australian has placed above the potential riches of making the Champions League.
Ange Postecoglou is hoping to end the club's well documented trophy drought in Bilbao
Ange Postecoglou is hoping to end the club's well documented trophy drought in Bilbao
He said: "It's a great prize and you know the significance of Champions League qualification, and what it means for every football club. There are obvious benefits, you also get the opportunity to play against the best on the continent. But, the club has been in the Champions League before. We haven't won a trophy for a long time, so that's most important."
Micky van de Ven admits he was mocked when he joined Tottenham with their lack of success often bought up. He said: “It will be a big thing, of course, because everybody knows that when you join Tottenham, you get the words through of: ‘Ah, you’re not going to win a trophy, you will be trophyless for the rest of your career. All the guys that came up here were like: ‘We’re going to change something about this club'."
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