Tottenham Hotspur will battle Manchester United on Saturday in their return to Premier League action after a lengthy international break, and the reset came at a necessary time for a Spurs side that has started the season poorly. Yes, there have been fitness issues and injuries, and, sure, Spurs are playing better in possession under Roberto De Zerbi, but they are winless and struggling not only with putting chances away, but even creating the sort of clear cut chances that lead to goals.
Changes are needed in order to beat a Man United side that, while disappointing, is still significantly better than Spurs right now. And now that he is fully healthy, Tottenham need Mohammed Kudus to declare himself to the opposition by being a more pervasive influence.
Last season, Kudus was so good in his first campaign in North London after being West Ham United's main dribbling force that he really carried Spurs to relevancy. When he went down with an injury that proved to be a season ender, Spurs slid into the relegation zone, bereft of any sort of attacking threat.
Mohammed Kudus has been less impactful
Now, Kudus is sharing the spotlight with Savio, who has been tremendous on the ball thus far, as well as another big name from the Manchester City attack in Omar Marmoush. But that doesn't mean Mohammed Kudus is any less important.
Although Kudus did register an assist in the 3-2 loss to Aston Villa, his impact has been more subdued to start the 2026/27 season than it was immediately when he joined Thomas Frank and Tottenham Hotspur in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
Tottenham face a Manchester United defense that is a bit battered and has been giving starts to players like Luke Shaw who present a great matchup for a young, explosive dribbling right winger like Kudus. Man United have not been impressive defensively this season with eight goals allowed, and their entire back line has rated out pretty poorly this season.
Spurs need Kudus to start taking more responsibility on the ball again. Tottenham need a two-headed winger monster, and they need Kudus to be a part of that, drawing out defenders, coming inside, and putting in dangerous passes into central areas and into the box.
Omar Marmoush has had a subdued impact thus far at Tottenham, and Kudus holds the key to helping Spurs get the most out of their potential 60 million pound center forward signing.
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