Tottenham Hotspur have been a shadow of the side that made such a promising start under Ange Postecoglou, but they have a golden chance to restore some pride on Sunday.
Manchester United’s injury crisis could not have come at a worse time for Ruben Amorim, with several key players unavailable. Spurs, for all their recent struggles, must seize this opportunity.
Victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would see them leapfrog United in the Premier League table, a shift that seemed unlikely a few months ago. Postecoglou’s side were sinking fast, but the situation now looks more favourable.
United’s fitness issues are piling up. Reports suggest that Amad Diallo could miss the rest of the season, depriving Amorim of one of his most effective attackers. The Ivorian has been instrumental in United’s attack, registering nine goals and seven assists across all competitions.
Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer are also major doubts, leaving United’s midfield options severely depleted. Even before these setbacks, United had suffered a damaging 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, exposing their ongoing fragility.
Spurs have beaten United twice already this season. A 3-0 demolition at Old Trafford was followed by a thrilling EFL Cup victory in December. Completing the league double over United for the first time would be a major statement.
Tottenham’s own injury woes have eased somewhat, shifting the narrative. While Postecoglou has had to navigate long-term absences in recent months, it is now United who are dealing with a lengthy casualty list.
United’s makeshift lineup could struggle to cope with Tottenham’s intensity. Amorim may be forced to rely on Patrick Dorgu as a replacement for Diallo, a tough ask given the 19-year-old’s inexperience at this level.
Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho will be key in United’s attack, but they may lack service from a weakened midfield. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen could be paired together, but neither offers the same dynamism as Mainoo.
Tottenham’s home form remains a concern. They have not won a Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in over three months. However, United’s absences present a clear opening to break that unwanted streak.
Postecoglou’s men must rediscover their early-season sharpness. If they do, they will have no better chance to overtake a wounded United and inject fresh belief into their campaign.
