Toby Alderweireld, TottenhamGetty Images

Alderweireld unsure of Tottenham stay after 'unjustified' omission

Toby Alderweireld admits that he does not know if his future lies at Tottenham after an impressive World Cup.

The central defender was a mainstay of Belgium's run to the semi-finals, and played 90 minutes as the Red Devils sealed third place, beating England 2-0 in the play-off.

However, the 29-year-old was used sparsely by Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino last season, playing just 14 times in the Premier League as he struggled to return to fitness after a hamstring injury.

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Alderweireld has subsequently been linked with a move away from the club this summer, with several reports claiming that a contract dispute played a role in his omission from the team.

Manchester United have been credited with a serious interest in signing the defender, but Alderweireld says he does not know where he will play in 2018-19, though he has criticised his amount of playing time last term.

"I really do not know anything yet. In my head I just go to Tottenham. We will see," he told Nieuwsblad.

"I was very focused on [the World Cup]. I wanted to prove something again. Show that the period before the tournament in which I did not play – for whatever reason – was unjustified.

"I wanted to show that I am still the same Toby as in November.

"I was happy that I could still play four or five matches for the World Cup. I immediately had a good feeling.

"Physically there was no problem, because it was just my only major injury from my career. I spent only three or four months [injured] in my entire career.

"I have to touch wood, but I cannot complain about that. I'm glad I could come back in this way."

Spurs finished third in 2017-18, three points behind second-placed United, with Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez regularly deployed as their starting centre-backs.

Alderweireld's current contract expires in 2019.

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