João Palhinha will have a personal reunion to look forward to when Tottenham host Manchester United in the Premier League.
The Portuguese midfielder, now one of Spurs’ most consistent performers, will face his former coach Ruben Amorim, who recently took charge at Old Trafford.
The pair share a long history, having worked together first at Braga and later at Sporting CP, where they lifted the Portuguese league title before Palhinha made his move to England in 2022 to join Fulham under Marco Silva.
Now established in North London after his summer transfer, Palhinha’s influence in Thomas Frank’s midfield has been decisive.
His strong tackling, positional sense and leadership have helped Tottenham maintain a solid record at home, where Manchester United have not managed a victory since 2021.
Amorim’s side, meanwhile, are still adjusting to his methods after the managerial change, and the upcoming clash will test how quickly his ideas are taking shape in the Premier League.
Speaking to DAZN Portugal, Palhinha admitted the encounter will have an emotional side. “It will be a very special game. I shared great moments with Mister Ruben and also with all the staff who are with him. I made good friends there.”, he said.
“Playing against Bruno [Fernandes] again and other familiar faces will also be nice. But honestly, I’m going there to win. I and all my teammates really, really want to win next week,” he continued.
Focused on Tottenham bouncing back
Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea last weekend has only increased their desire to bounce back. “That frustration has to give us more fuel to react. We need that fuel”, Palhinha added.
Both Tottenham and Manchester United sit on 17 points, eight behind leaders Arsenal, making this head-to-head crucial for the European race.
The reunion between Palhinha and Amorim adds another emotional layer to a match already rich in storylines, as two Portuguese figures who rose together in Lisbon now cross paths in the heart of English football.
The midfielder’s determination suggests the sentimental value of the meeting will not distract him from the main goal: keeping Spurs in the fight near the top of the table.