Jan Vertonghen believes Tottenham's fanbase "identify" with the players because they appreciate the side's work ethic under Mauricio Pochettino.

Spurs are riding high in second place in the Premier League table and hanging onto Leicester's coattails ahead of the run-in.

Claudio Ranieri's side boast a seven-point advantage at the top of the table but Erik Lamela is just one of several players to insist that he is prepared to fight until the end of the season in an attempt to win Tottenham's first title in 55 years.

And Vertonghen is adamant the manner in which the White Hart Lane faithful responds positively to the side's determination helps the players to improve.

Tottenham vs Manchester United Player Ratings 23 show all Tottenham vs Manchester United Player Ratings 1/23 Player Ratings Who stood out at White Hart Lane? 2/23 Hugo Lloris: 6 Little more than a spectator in the first half, Lloris was not forced to make a significant save until the hour mark but did not kick particularly well. 3/23 Kyle Walker: 6 The Spurs full-back was often pinned back by Anthony Martial but did threaten whenever he managed to get into the final third. 4/23 Jan Vertonghen: 7 There was no sign of cobwebs from the Belgian, despite a nine-game absence, as he produced a typically solid display. 5/23 Toby Alderweireld: 7 As reliable and composed as ever, the Belgian got the goal he deserved too. The centre back's performances will only improve further now his defensive partner has returned to action. 6/23 Danny Rose: 8 His influence at Spurs continues to grow. Exhibited a superb range of passing and made sure Juan Mata was often heading back towards his own goal. Notched an assist for Lamela's strike. 7/23 Eric Dier: 6 The midfielder shielded the Spurs defence well, sitting deep and snuffing out any danger. Crucially, he avoided a 10th booking and the slate will now be wiped clean. 8/23 Mousa Dembele: 6 While the majority of Tottenham's players struggled for composure early on, Dembele was not among their number. Calm and composed presence in the centre of the pitch. 9/23 Erik Lamela: 7 The Argentine's afternoon threatened to be defined by a poor header but he made amends with an assist for Alderweireld and a fine finish of his own. 10/23 Dele Alli: 7 A relatively quiet afternoon from the teenager and was visibly frustrated before he swept home the opening goal, which lifted the mood among a delighted White Hart Lane crowd. 11/23 Christian Eriksen: 7 The Danish midfielder found his rhythm quickly and was not afraid to let fly from long range. Produced dangerous set-piece deliveries throughout and showed great vision to pick out Alli for the opener. 12/23 Harry Kane: 7 Starved of opportunities but worked tirelessly and forced David De Gea into a couple of smart saves. Relished his aerial battle with Chris Smalling. 13/23 David De Gea: 6 Denied Kane from point blank range and was not to know the lineman's flag had been raised. Could do little about any of the goals he conceded. 14/23 Timothy Fosu-Mensah: 6 Pushed forward at every opportunity and looks be a real prospect for the Red Devils. Could yet move into an advanced position if his touch and composure are anything to go by. Withdrawn due to injury.



Matteo Darmian: 4 Surely the Italian only got the call from the bench because Fosu-Mensah picked up a knock and now has a battle on his hands if he is to reclaim his place. 15/23 Chris Smalling: 6 The England international battled with Harry Kane throughout and did not give his opposite number a minute's peace. 16/23 Daley Blind: 5 Struggled against Walker's pace and was caught out of position on a couple of occasions. Technical ability does not mask his failures. 17/23 Marcos Rojo: 4 The Argentine is fraught with inconsistencies and simply did not do enough to attempt to deny Alderweireld for the second goal. 18/23 Morgan Schneiderlin: 5 The Frenchman struggled against a midfield which was full of what fans came to expect from United during Ferguson's reign. 19/23 Michael Carrick: 5 Solid but powerless once Spurs had taken control. 20/23 Juan Mata: 5 Did not appear to be up for the fight, the Spaniard made little impact in the final third and was left exposed in his own half. 21/23 Jesse Lingard: 5 Failed to make an impact in attack and does not looked well suited to a No. 10 role. 22/23 Anthony Martial: 6 One of few bright spots for the visitors. He looked the most likely to open the scoring but missed a vital chance at 0-0, and fell away during the closing stages. 23/23 Marcus Rashford: 6 Involved in plenty of nice interchanges in the first half but was withdrawn at the break for Ashley Young.



Ashley Young: 5 Introduced at centre forward but, unsurprisingly, did little of note. 1/23 Player Ratings Who stood out at White Hart Lane? 2/23 Hugo Lloris: 6 Little more than a spectator in the first half, Lloris was not forced to make a significant save until the hour mark but did not kick particularly well. 3/23 Kyle Walker: 6 The Spurs full-back was often pinned back by Anthony Martial but did threaten whenever he managed to get into the final third. 4/23 Jan Vertonghen: 7 There was no sign of cobwebs from the Belgian, despite a nine-game absence, as he produced a typically solid display. 5/23 Toby Alderweireld: 7 As reliable and composed as ever, the Belgian got the goal he deserved too. The centre back's performances will only improve further now his defensive partner has returned to action. 6/23 Danny Rose: 8 His influence at Spurs continues to grow. Exhibited a superb range of passing and made sure Juan Mata was often heading back towards his own goal. Notched an assist for Lamela's strike. 7/23 Eric Dier: 6 The midfielder shielded the Spurs defence well, sitting deep and snuffing out any danger. Crucially, he avoided a 10th booking and the slate will now be wiped clean. 8/23 Mousa Dembele: 6 While the majority of Tottenham's players struggled for composure early on, Dembele was not among their number. Calm and composed presence in the centre of the pitch. 9/23 Erik Lamela: 7 The Argentine's afternoon threatened to be defined by a poor header but he made amends with an assist for Alderweireld and a fine finish of his own. 10/23 Dele Alli: 7 A relatively quiet afternoon from the teenager and was visibly frustrated before he swept home the opening goal, which lifted the mood among a delighted White Hart Lane crowd. 11/23 Christian Eriksen: 7 The Danish midfielder found his rhythm quickly and was not afraid to let fly from long range. Produced dangerous set-piece deliveries throughout and showed great vision to pick out Alli for the opener. 12/23 Harry Kane: 7 Starved of opportunities but worked tirelessly and forced David De Gea into a couple of smart saves. Relished his aerial battle with Chris Smalling. 13/23 David De Gea: 6 Denied Kane from point blank range and was not to know the lineman's flag had been raised. Could do little about any of the goals he conceded. 14/23 Timothy Fosu-Mensah: 6 Pushed forward at every opportunity and looks be a real prospect for the Red Devils. Could yet move into an advanced position if his touch and composure are anything to go by. Withdrawn due to injury.



Matteo Darmian: 4 Surely the Italian only got the call from the bench because Fosu-Mensah picked up a knock and now has a battle on his hands if he is to reclaim his place. 15/23 Chris Smalling: 6 The England international battled with Harry Kane throughout and did not give his opposite number a minute's peace. 16/23 Daley Blind: 5 Struggled against Walker's pace and was caught out of position on a couple of occasions. Technical ability does not mask his failures. 17/23 Marcos Rojo: 4 The Argentine is fraught with inconsistencies and simply did not do enough to attempt to deny Alderweireld for the second goal. 18/23 Morgan Schneiderlin: 5 The Frenchman struggled against a midfield which was full of what fans came to expect from United during Ferguson's reign. 19/23 Michael Carrick: 5 Solid but powerless once Spurs had taken control. 20/23 Juan Mata: 5 Did not appear to be up for the fight, the Spaniard made little impact in the final third and was left exposed in his own half. 21/23 Jesse Lingard: 5 Failed to make an impact in attack and does not looked well suited to a No. 10 role. 22/23 Anthony Martial: 6 One of few bright spots for the visitors. He looked the most likely to open the scoring but missed a vital chance at 0-0, and fell away during the closing stages. 23/23 Marcus Rashford: 6 Involved in plenty of nice interchanges in the first half but was withdrawn at the break for Ashley Young.



Ashley Young: 5 Introduced at centre forward but, unsurprisingly, did little of note.

"They can identify with everyone in this team, young guys, mainly English but even the foreign lads, they can identify with them because they work so hard and they do everything to make them proud.

"That’s what they want to see and that’s why this team is so good," Vertonghen told the club's official website.

The Belgian defender has missed the last two months with a knee injury but returns to the fold for Sunday's emphatic 3-0 victory over Manchester United.

The win represented the first time Spurs have beaten the Red Devils on home soil since 2001 and Vertonghen believes the current Spurs side is the best he has been involved in.

Tim Sherwood assesses Tottenham's future 5 show all Tim Sherwood assesses Tottenham's future 1/5 Knocking on the door "Part of the pressure on the teams at the top is that Chelsea are out of touch and Manchester United are not looking like the side they used to be. Everyone expects them both to improve next year, so this season was seen as a great opportunity for any of the top three - Leicester, Spurs and Arsenal - to win the title, and one that might not happen again soon. I disagree as far as Tottenham are concerned. Next year it is going to get harder, that is for sure, but I don't think this season is Spurs' only chance. If they don't win it this year, then I think a lot of people would say they will be among the favourites to win it in the future. I would agree with them," Sherwood told the BBC. 2/5 Contenders "The United game showed again why Tottenham are contenders - when things don't click for them up front, they have got a solid defence to fall back on. It meant United only managed one shot on target in the entire game. Tottenham suddenly turned it on with three goals in quick succession. They can do that because they have got match-winners, players who can turn games. I don't think Dele Alli had his best game against United, or Harry Kane, but you still knew they were on the pitch. They do not go missing even if they are not playing well and they still affect the game," Sherwood told the BBC. 3/5 Going nowhere "The thing with Tottenham, which makes them different to Leicester, is that they will be able to attract the best players in the world this summer. On top of the pull of London, and the fact Tottenham are a big club anyway, there could be Champions League football, as well as the prospect of a new ground and fantastic training facilities. They also have a young team with an exciting young manager. Everything is in place, on and off the pitch. Harry Kane has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United but why would anyone want to leave?" Sherwood told the BBC. 4/5 The right man in charge "In Mauricio Pochettino, they have got a manager who has a lot of faith in young players and a good young squad. What I like about Pochettino is how he has brought them along. I gave a lot of those players their debuts so he has been able to see them first hand in the Premier League, and see that they can do the job. He has stuck with them too. He has not worried about reputations or price tags - he picks his team based on what they do on the training ground. Clearly they are hungry enough to prove they should be in the side, but credit to Pochettino for giving them a chance. Is there more to come from them? Absolutely," Sherwood told the BBC. 5/5 Strength in depth "[Against United] we saw Tottenham's strongest team - if there was a cup final tomorrow, then this would be the team playing in it. Mauricio Pochettino has rotated a lot and has taken a while to decide on his best side, but I think he has found it now, with Jan Vertonghen fit and back in the side. Injuries and suspensions aside, I would be surprised if he makes any changes between now and the end of the season, and this will be the basis of his team going forward too. The youth he has in his squad means they have the energy that is such a big part of the way they play," Sherwood told the BBC. 1/5 Knocking on the door "Part of the pressure on the teams at the top is that Chelsea are out of touch and Manchester United are not looking like the side they used to be. Everyone expects them both to improve next year, so this season was seen as a great opportunity for any of the top three - Leicester, Spurs and Arsenal - to win the title, and one that might not happen again soon. I disagree as far as Tottenham are concerned. Next year it is going to get harder, that is for sure, but I don't think this season is Spurs' only chance. If they don't win it this year, then I think a lot of people would say they will be among the favourites to win it in the future. I would agree with them," Sherwood told the BBC. 2/5 Contenders "The United game showed again why Tottenham are contenders - when things don't click for them up front, they have got a solid defence to fall back on. It meant United only managed one shot on target in the entire game. Tottenham suddenly turned it on with three goals in quick succession. They can do that because they have got match-winners, players who can turn games. I don't think Dele Alli had his best game against United, or Harry Kane, but you still knew they were on the pitch. They do not go missing even if they are not playing well and they still affect the game," Sherwood told the BBC. 3/5 Going nowhere "The thing with Tottenham, which makes them different to Leicester, is that they will be able to attract the best players in the world this summer. On top of the pull of London, and the fact Tottenham are a big club anyway, there could be Champions League football, as well as the prospect of a new ground and fantastic training facilities. They also have a young team with an exciting young manager. Everything is in place, on and off the pitch. Harry Kane has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United but why would anyone want to leave?" Sherwood told the BBC. 4/5 The right man in charge "In Mauricio Pochettino, they have got a manager who has a lot of faith in young players and a good young squad. What I like about Pochettino is how he has brought them along. I gave a lot of those players their debuts so he has been able to see them first hand in the Premier League, and see that they can do the job. He has stuck with them too. He has not worried about reputations or price tags - he picks his team based on what they do on the training ground. Clearly they are hungry enough to prove they should be in the side, but credit to Pochettino for giving them a chance. Is there more to come from them? Absolutely," Sherwood told the BBC. 5/5 Strength in depth "[Against United] we saw Tottenham's strongest team - if there was a cup final tomorrow, then this would be the team playing in it. Mauricio Pochettino has rotated a lot and has taken a while to decide on his best side, but I think he has found it now, with Jan Vertonghen fit and back in the side. Injuries and suspensions aside, I would be surprised if he makes any changes between now and the end of the season, and this will be the basis of his team going forward too. The youth he has in his squad means they have the energy that is such a big part of the way they play," Sherwood told the BBC.

"The way we play now is better than before. It’s my fourth season and this team is something special.

"You feel it at the training ground, here (White Hart Lane), the feeling in this team and this club is the best I’ve experienced in these four years," he added.