Crossword Genius

Murphy maybe, who rides the underground? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tuber

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'murphy maybe who rides' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'the underground?' is the wordplay.
'the' becomes 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects).
'underground?' becomes 'uber' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
't'+'uber'='TUBER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tuber that I've seen before include "Brute (anag)" , "Thickened fleshy root" , "A potato, for instance" , "Potato, for example" , "Brute or a potato plant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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