Sports Illustrated

Tottenham Hotspur have seemingly decided that Igor Tudor is the manager they want leading the team until the end of the season, having dismissed Thomas Frank this week.

It quickly became apparent that Spurs intended to go down a similar route to Manchester United when Ruben Amorim was given the boot, choosing a short-term hire for the next few months, before settling on a permanent candidate in the summer.

Spurs legend Robbie Keane was a name in the frame until it was made clear the Irishman, who has enjoyed success during spells with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferencváros in his fledgling managerial career, would only leave the latter for something more than an interim role.

Ex-Borussia Dortmund managers Marco Rose and Edin Terzić have also been considered, though it’s unclear at this stage whether or not they could be in the running long-term.

But Tudor, a former Juventus and Croatia centre back who started the 2003 Champions League final and finished third at the World Cup in 1998, is set to have the reins for the next 15 weeks.

Sat 16th in the Premier League, if Spurs get this wrong they could be relegated for the first time since 1978.

Igor Tudor and His Risky Style of Play

Since starting his managerial career with hometown club Hajduk Split in 2013, Tudor has developed a brand of physically-demanding football characterised by intense pressing.

Whether Spurs have the players to do that—and stay healthy—is a point of debate. The squad is already 12 players light because of injuries, with five of those hamstring and thigh problems. They cannot afford to lose more players in the final stretch and clearly something—both this season and last—has been leading to such problems. An intense approach may not be the right fit.

Still, it’s a tactical style that favours attacking—perhaps ironic for a former defender.

Tottenham’s defensive record in the Premier League this season is the same as fourth-place Manchester United (37 goals conceded), but their output in front of goal is consistent with the bottom-half teams around them. They have scored the same number of goals (36) as 15th-place Leeds United, have scored only two more than Brighton & Hove Albion in 14th and just four more than West Ham United behind them in the relegation zone.

If Tudor can pull more goals out of the squad at his disposal, it would go a long way.

Lack of Direct Experience

This is not to say that Spurs should have looked up Sean Dyche’s number—although there could have been some merit to such a short-term deal in the circumstances—but bringing in a manager with zero track record in English football is a gamble.

Tudor spent his entire playing career in Croatia and Italy, primarily a backup during his peak years at Juventus. He’s managed clubs in Croatia, Greece, Türkiye, Italy and France, with most of his 11 prior appointments over before reaching 50 games and not extending into a second calendar year.

His jobs haven’t lasted long, but joining a club midseason is at least something he’s used to, having done it. He’s actually done that more often than starting a new job off-season and the initial results have tended to be good, notably securing Champions League qualification for Juve in 2024–25.

The connection that made Tudor an option was his work alongside former Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici at Juventus in 2020–21, when he was assistant to Andrea Pirlo.

Door Left Open for Mauricio Pochettino’s Return

It’s not so much relevant to Tudor specifically, but taking the interim route until summer fits a convenient timeline that would allow for the second coming of Mauricio Pochettino.

Even though it was Ange Postecoglou who finally broke the trophy drought last season, the Argentine has been the best Spurs boss of the Premier League era, delivering results more consistently and over a longer period than Harry Redknapp or Martin Jol.

To get him now would be expensive, perhaps almost £22 million ($30 million) to break him out of his contract with as United States men’s national team boss mere months out from the World Cup.

But that contract ends once the World Cup is over, leaving Pochettino free to go back to north London should he, and the club, so wish. Since a shock dismissal in 2019, within six months of the Champions League final, he’s made no secret on several occasions of his desire to return.

“I still feel in my heart that, yes, I would like one day to come back,” he said most recently.

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Results may have waned, fans may have turned and the hamstrings of his centre backs may have been torn to tatters, but through it all, Ange Postecoglou has always had a brilliant turn of phrase.

This is the self-styled “old man shouting at clouds” whose criticism of VAR turned into existential questions about the character of human beings as a species en masse. “Every time I’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s usually been an oncoming train,” Postecoglou memorably lamented towards the end of his doomed tenure at Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite Europa League glory, Postecoglou couldn’t find a way off the tracks. A year and a half on from his divisive sacking, the coach turned his rapier wit onto his former employers during a deliciously embittered appearance on The Overlap.

Thomas Frank Was Always Doomed

Any interview with Postecoglou is usually entertaining—for everyone who isn’t asking the questions—but Gary Neville and his cabal of cackling cohorts lucked out when the news of Thomas Frank’s sacking broke on the morning of recording.

Naturally, this was the first topic of conversation. Postecoglou admitted it was “tough” for Frank, who “can’t be the only issue at the club,” but effectively warned that his dismissal was in the post from the start of the season.

Long-serving Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, the driving force behind the club for the past two decades, left his position of direct influence a matter of weeks into the season. In the eyes of Postecoglou, Tottenham have not stopped reeling from this upheaval.

“It’s made a major pivot at the end of last year, not just with me, but with Daniel [Levy] leaving as well,” he reflected. “They’ve had world class managers there. They haven’t had success. And for what reason? What was the reason for such a major pivot? Thomas is walking but what’s his objective? What’s the club’s objective?”

Postecoglou dismissed Tottenham’s public goal of competing on all fronts and questioned whether Frank demonstrated complicit naïvety when taking the job: “Did Thomas Frank know that he was walking into that? I don’t know.”

What Frank was walking into, for Postecoglou, is a club dealing with an identity crisis.

Tottenham Are ‘Not a Big Club’

The main crux of Postecoglou’s interview was a topic that has tormented fans for years. Spurs have the infrastructure and revenue figures of a “big club,” but they don’t act like one.

“Obviously, they’ve built an unbelievable stadium, unbelievable training facilities. But when you look at the expenditure, particularly in the wage structure, they’re not a big club,” Postecoglou bluntly outlined.

According to the latest published accounts for the 2024–25 season, which Postecoglou oversaw, Spurs boast the fifth-largest revenue of any Premier League team, outstripping Chelsea. Yet, they tallied the seventh-highest wage bill in the division over the same time period.

Postecoglou’s argument was that these funds were not invested in the talents supposedly befitting a big club: “I saw that, because when we were trying to sign players, we weren’t in the market for those players.”

Postecoglou’s Failed Transfer Targets

Tottenham were perennially accused of overt caution in the transfer market under Levy—a reputation which extends to the new-look regime if Cristian Romero’s social media posts are anything to go by. Yet, during Postecoglou’s two seasons at the helm (2023–25), Tottenham recorded the largest net spend of any Premier League club. The issue for the outspoken Australian was the identity of these individuals, rather than the cost.

“At the end of my first year, when we finished fifth, for me, O.K., how do you go from fifth to really challenging? Well, we had to sign Premier League-leading players,” Postecoglou argued.

“But finishing fifth that year didn’t get us Champions League, we didn’t have the money. So we ended up signing Dom Solanke,” Postecoglou fretted when looking back on the club’s record arrival. In fairness to the striker, Postecoglou was “really keen on him” and “really liked him” but had a lower opinion of the “three teenagers.”

Spurs splashed around £135 million ($184.2 million) in the summer of 2024 alone, adding Archie Gray (then 18), Wilson Odobert (19) and Lucas Bergvall (18) as well as Solanke. Postecoglou had more experienced targets—who just so happened to go to be signed by and impress for elite Premier League clubs.

“I was looking at Pedro Neto, [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Antoine] Semenyo at the time, Marc Guéhi, because I said we need ... If we’re going to go from fifth to there, that’s what the other big clubs would do in that moment,” Postecoglou declared, using the full breadth and width of the power of hindsight.

Postecoglou’s Missed Targets

“And those three teenagers are outstanding young players,” he added, unconvincingly. “Brilliant young players. I think they’ll be great players for Tottenham, but they’re not going to get you from fifth to fourth but what’s coming out from the club is, ‘We’re a club that can compete on all fronts.’”

“'I still felt Tottenham as a club were saying, ‘We’re one of the big boys’ and the reality is I don’t think they are in terms of my experience,” Postecoglou added, before turning to the direct comparison which no Spurs fan ever wants.

“When Arsenal need players they’ll spend £100 million on Declan Rice, I don’t see Tottenham doing that,” he pointed out. “Not just my history, even predating me. A lot of that was, ‘O.K. we’re building a stadium’ so obviously finances were a challenge.”

“When was the last time Tottenham really signed somebody who you go, wow?” was Postecoglou’s glaring takeaway.

Spursiness Is Real

Jamie Carragher, never one to miss the chance to twist the knife, drilled into the topic of “Spursiness,” that subconscious trait of lacking belief which has so often been levelled at the club over the past two decades. Postecoglou confirmed all the outside noise.

“100% there is, absolutely and that was the thing I was trying to break and my whole statement about winning things in the second year, I was doing that for the club because nobody internally would dare say that, they were just scared,” he insisted.

“Then you break that by winning something and what do you do? You tear it all up and you start again. That’s the curiosity, what are you trying to achieve?”

Postecoglou turned to one moment on the day of last year’s Europa League final, which proved to be the setting for Tottenham’s first trophy win since 2008. Daniel Levy came into the team hotel and let the weight of history seep out of him onto Postecoglou. “The only thing he said to me—which was bizarre as a motivational point—was something like, ‘You know what, I’ve been in seven finals or semi-finals and we haven’t won one,’” the former manager recalled in disbelief.

“I know why he said that, because of that [Spursiness], so that’s what I’m saying.”

The Real Cause of Tottenham’s Downfall

As Postecoglou was at pains to point, Tottenham’s neuroses existed long before his tumultuous two-year reign. Yet the club never sunk to the depths of the relegation battles they are currently fighting. Postecoglou’s diagnosis was simple: It all comes back to Harry Kane.

“People underestimate the role Harry played over the past 10 years,” Postecoglou pointed out when looking back on the club’s all-time top scorer, who left Spurs for Bayern Munich in the same summer the 60-year-old was appointed. “He’s unbelievable. I only worked with him for a couple of months, but he is the best player I have witnessed close up in my whole career.

“We played the last friendly game and I was still hoping against hope he would stay and he scored four goals.

“We played Shakhtar, the next week were playing Brentford and I know he’s not going to be there. And it’s not like he leaves and we go and sign Erling Haaland.”

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Real Madrid are a team focused on opportunities when it comes to the transfer market. They have been known for tracking players who are upcoming free agents, with Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold examples of that.

They also take advantage of other situations, and that is what they are reportedly looking to do with regard to Premier League Tottenham Hotspur.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid are looking at signing a player they have been chasing for some time. Center-back Cristian Romero has been on the club's radar for some time, and Los Blancos may look to take advantage of the current situation.

Tottenham Future Unclear for Cristian Romero

It's been made clear by reports that Real Madrid want a center-back this summer, possibly two. Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is one player that has been on the shortlist for some time, as has is partner Micky van de Ven.

However, it's the Argentinian who is a top target, with Romero seen as a perfect addition to the back-line. This is due to his experience and his style of play suiting how Los Blancos play. The club believes there is a big chance of signing him this summer.

The current situation is one that could work in their favour. Spurs are very close to the relegation zone, something that is unheard of when it comes to them. Only last season, they were crowned Europa League Champions, and now they are close to the drop.

The poor run of form was enough to see head coach Thomas Frank sacked this past week. That means Romero has played under multiple head coaches during his time at the club, and would likely want more than a Europa League to show for it.

Now Romero is 27, he could want a move to a bigger team, with the possibility of challenging for league titles and the Champions League. That puts Real Madrid in an excellent position, but other clubs such as Atletico|Madrid are also interested in the World Cup winner.

Los Blancos have a long list of center-backs they are interested in. Romero would not be cheap, but he could be a player who involves less negotiation due to the situation at Tottenham. It would be a marquee signing for Real Madrid, who need experience and solid defensive players.

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Wayne Rooney has warned Tottenham Hotspur that they have landed themselves in a relegation battle after their defeat to his former employers Manchester United on Saturday.

United’s 2–0 win over a 10-man Spurs outfit left Thomas Frank’s side 15th in the Premier League standings, just six points above the relegation zone after 18th-placed West Ham United boosted their own survival hopes with victory over Burnley.

“You’d have to say they are [in a relegation battle] with their current form,” the legendary former striker told The Wayne Rooney Show.

“West Ham have been in form, Nottingham Forest pick up results here and there. You can’t think that they’re not in a relegation battle where they are. I think they’ll definitely be looking over their shoulders.”

Is Relegation a Genuine Concern for Tottenham?

There has long been a suggestion that some clubs are simply “too big” to be relegated. We’ve seen Chelsea flirt with the drop zone in 2015–16, while Manchester United were down there last season, and fellow ‘Big Six’ members Spurs are one of those who sit in that bracket—surely these teams can’t go down?

The very-real concern for Spurs, however, is that, unlike their rivals, this season has not been a one-off. They finished 17th last year under Ange Postecoglou, and while it’s fair to say they tanked the end of the campaign to prioritise winning the Europa League, they were still a bottom-half side at this point of the previous campaign.

Indeed, after 25 games last season under Postecoglou, Spurs had 30 points to their name, one more than they currently boast under Frank. Crucially, there was a 13-point gap to the relegation zone at this point last year, more than twice the cushion currently afforded to them.

On paper, Spurs should have the quality to breeze away from this point, but winning games has proven a real challenge. 2025 brought just 11 victories in the Premier League—of all the teams to spend the entire calendar year in the top flight, only bottom-side Wolverhampton Wanderers and relegation-threatened West Ham managed fewer (eight).

Still waiting for their first win of 2026, the clock is ticking for Spurs to figure things out before the teams below them find a solution to their own domestic woes.

Given Spurs’ recent form, things could be about to get worse before they get better.

Tottenham’s Next Five Premier League Matches

An unforgiving run of five tough fixtures is followed by a home meeting with Nottingham Forest, currently 17th and three points behind. The importance of that fixture on March 22, before the international break, now cannot be overstated.

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Manchester United continued their resurgence with a fourth straight victory under Michael Carrick, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 at Old Trafford.

United sparkled from the first whistle but Cristian Romero’s straight red card allowed the Red Devils to take complete control of proceedings at the half-hour mark. Bryan Mbeumo finished off a clever corner routine to punish the 10 men of Spurs before the break.

Tottenham were eager to set up a grandstand finish at Old Trafford but Bruno Fernandes put the match beyond doubt nine minutes from time, converting Diogo Dalot’s cross to cement United’s place in the top four.

The Moment That Defined the Match

For all of United’s intelligent attacking play and energetic pressing, they were gifted an enormous helping hand en route to victory. The reckless Romero, who recently labelled Tottenham’s recruitment “disgraceful” amid exit rumours of his own, handed the hosts their man advantage for two-thirds of the fixture, the Argentine’s crunching lunge on Casemiro rightly punished with a red card.

Carrick’s men had already offered glimpses of their potential and renewed belief but their superiority was hammered home after Romero’s dismissal. Just nine minutes later United had the lead, a genius corner routine finding Mbeumo on the edge of the area—unmarked with Spurs short of bodies—and the Cameroon international caressing into the bottom corner.

United continued their territorial dominance after the restart and fired plenty of efforts at Guglielmo Vicario’s goal. Some of the link-up play between their fab four up front was delightful and they eventually found a deserved second, with a typically delightful finish from Fernandes confirming the points.

What promised to be an awkward fixture for United was made significantly simpler by Romero’s stupidity. However, United still deserve credit for another assured performance.

Man Utd Player Ratings vs. Tottenham (4-2-3-1)

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

GK: Senne Lammens—7.7: Bar one uncertain moment with his feet early in the game, Lammens enjoyed one of the easiest matches of his United career.

RB: Diogo Dalot—8.4: With Xavi Simons drifting inside, Dalot had little direct confrontation with a blunt Spurs forward line. Produced a terrific cross for Fernandes’s strike.

CB: Harry Maguire—7.3: Dominic Solanke seldom got the better of his England teammate, with Maguire’s physicality proving too much for the isolated striker.

CB: Lisandro Martínez—8.0: Rarely troubled in defence, especially after Spurs were reduced to 10 men.

LB: Luke Shaw—7.2: While not quite the powerful, attack-minded left back he once was, Shaw did bomb forward after the break and was in the thick of several attacks.

DM: Casemiro—7.5: Manged to survive Romero’s nasty challenge and once again exhibited the immense quality United will miss come his exit this summer. Defensively resolute and a menace in the final third, too.

DM: Kobbie Mainoo—8.6: Another slick performance from the youngster, whose renaissance continues under Carrick. Glides effortlessly across the turf when in full flow.

RW: Amad Diallo—7.9: Created major issues for Spurs with his inward darts in behind, with Destiny Udogie simply unable to handle his speed and endeavour.

AM: Bruno Fernandes—8.8: United’s conductor as expected as he relishes the return to an attacking midfield role. Constantly involved in and around the penalty area, eventually snatching the goal his general play deserved.

LW: Matheus Cunha—7.0: Regularly showcased his repertoire of flicks and tricks, purring with confidence in the interchanges with his fellow forwards. Almost produced a stunning strike from range early in the game.

ST: Bryan Mbeumo—7.6: Perfectly slotted home to offer United their half-time lead and continues to look assured in the No.9 position for the Red Devils.

SUB: Benjamin Šeško (75’ for Cunha)—6.3: Bright after his introduction but missed a great chance with the final kick.

SUB: Noussair Mazraoui (87’ for Shaw)—N/A

SUB: Manuel Ugarte (87’ for Casemiro)—N/A

SUB: Joshua Zirkzee (87’ for Mbeumo)—N/A

SUB: Tyler Fletcher (90+2’ for Mainoo)—N/A

Subs not used: Altay Bayındır (GK), Ayden Heaven, Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia.

What the Ratings Tell Us

Kobbie Mainoo delivered again for the Red Devils, not only assisting Mbeumo’s opener but regularly breaking the lines with some athletic runs and incisive passes. United’s academy graduate is only set to improve with more minutes as he eyes an England spot at the 2026 World Cup.

Casemiro’s impressive form continued against Spurs as the veteran repeatedly reminds United of what they will sorely miss upon his departure at the end of the season. The Brazilian’s recent displays underscore the importance of securing a proper replacement this summer.

Another stellar performance from Mbeumo makes for grim viewing for Benjamin Šeško and Joshua Zirkzee, both of whom were forced to accept a place on the bench once more. Mbeumo’s form cannot be ignored with Carrick preferring a more mobile central striker.

Bruno Fernandes orchestrated much of United’s play and Carrick’s decision to move him further forward has reaped instant rewards. The skipper’s genius is allowed to breathe in the No.10 role and his tally of goal contributions will grow vastly before the campaign’s end.

The Numbers That Explain Man Utd’s Simple Triumph

United racked up an impressive 23 shots as they peppered Vicario throughout. Their attack has been reinvigorated by the move to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with some terrific relationships forming in the final third.

Senne Lammens faced just one shot on target, underscoring the influence of Romero’s red card. Spurs had looked lively prior to his dismissal.

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Michael Carrick is hunting a fourth win from four on Saturday afternoon as Manchester United welcome his former club, Tottenham Hotspur, to Old Trafford.

After downing the Premier League’s top two in impressive fashion to kick off his second interim spell in charge, Carrick’s side barely escaped what was regarded as the true test of United’s resurgence at home to Fulham last weekend.

A Kevin stunner had seemingly earned the Cottagers a point, but there was still time for Benjamin Šeśko to strike on the swivel to ensure Carrick’s 100% record was maintained.

As a result, they head into the weekend fourth in the Premier League table and in a considerably better position than the team that beat them four times across three competitions last season.

Tottenham looked on course for another domestic home defeat under Thomas Frank last weekend, but an unforeseen second-half rally helped them to a point against Manchester City, thereby aiding Arsenal’s title charge.

They’re still searching for a first league victory of 2026, but their excellent recent record at Old Trafford should fill them with confidence.

Here’s Sports Illustrated’s preview of the Premier League’s Saturday lunchtime kick off.

What Time Does Man Utd vs. Tottenham Kick Off?

Location: Manchester, England

Stadium: Old Trafford

Date: Saturday, Feb. 7

Kick-off Time: 12:30 p.m. GMT / 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT

Referee:Â Michael Oliver

VAR: Paul Tierney

Man Utd vs. Tottenham Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Man Utd: 0 wins

Tottenham: 4 wins

Draws: 1

Last meeting: Tottenham 2–2 Man Utd (Nov. 8, 2025)—Premier League

Current Form (All Competitions)

How to Watch Man Utd vs. Tottenham on TV, Live Stream

MORE: Full list of Premier League broadcasters around the world

Man Utd Team News

Man Utd’s injury situation hasn’t drastically changed from last weekend, and Carrick is unlikely to ring the changes from the 3–2 victory over Fulham.

Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount are out, but the interim manager did say on Thursday that it won’t be long until Mount is back in action. Not much is known regarding De Ligt’s recovery from a back injury, while Dorgu is expected to be sidelined for a couple of months.

Šeško’s late heroics could earn him a promotion, but Carrick is unlikely to break up Bruno Fernandes’ fruitful combination with Bryan Mbeumo in attack. Matheus Cunha came in for Dorgu last Sunday and will keep his place in United’s XI.

Man Utd Predicted Lineup vs. Tottenham

Man Utd predicted lineup vs. Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.

Tottenham Team News

Tottenham manager Frank has confirmed that Micky van de Ven will be back in action this weekend, having recovered from a minor injury. Captain Cristian Romero has also shaken off his illness and won’t be severely punished for taking a swipe at the hierarchy on social media.

Those two could form part of Frank’s back three, with midfielder João Palhinha also filling in. Spurs have lost Kevin Danso to a toe injury.

There’s a chance Djed Spence is back in the team after he missed last Sunday’s draw with Man City due to a calf injury. If he’s deemed unfit, Archie Gray will remain at right wingback, given that Pedro Porro is sidelined.

Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Ben Davies are all still out injured.

Tottenham Predicted Lineup vs. Man Utd

Tottenham predicted lineup vs. Man Utd (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Palhinha, Romero, Van de Ven; Spence, Gallagher, Sarr, Udogie; Odobert, Xavi; Solanke.

Man Utd vs. Tottenham Score Prediction

These two teams played out a 2–2 draw in the reverse fixture, but it’ll be a fresh and buoyant Man Utd that greet the visitors on Saturday.

Fulham laid bare a few flaws within Carrick’s framework last weekend, especially out of possession, and although Spurs have typically been a stodgy and turgid mess with the ball under Frank, they are somewhat resilient away from home.

However, their depletion means Frank is bound to name a sub-optimal starting XI, and Old Trafford will be in a vengeful mood, given what Spurs inflicted upon the Red Devils last season. There could be a watchable flow to this contest, and United are poised to secure their first win in this fixture since 2022.

Prediction: Man Utd 3–1 Tottenham

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Manchester United hope to claim their first victory over Tottenham Hotspur since October 2022, having endured an eight-game winless run in this fixture.

The "lads, it’s Tottenham" quip from yesteryear doesn’t quite carry the same weight around Manchester anymore, given United’s recent woes against the Lilywhites. Spurs claimed four victories against the Red Devils last season, and were on the brink of a fifth successive triumph in the reverse fixture last November.

However, much has changed at the Theatre of Dreams since that low-quality 2–2 draw. United have their mojo back with Sir Alex Ferguson disciple Michael Carrick at the helm, and their last-gasp victory over Fulham last weekend was reminiscent of a triumph they would’ve secured during their glory days.

Carrick’s gunning for a fourth win from four in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Match Snapshot

🕒 Kick-off time: 12:30 p.m. GMT, 7:30 a.m. ET, 4:30 a.m. PT

📍 Location: Old Trafford

🏆 Competition: Premier League

📊 Recent form: DDWWW

Team News

⚠️ Key injuries, doubts: Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount

🔢 Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Man Utd’s injury situation hasn’t changed from last weekend, although Mason Mount was a surprise absentee from the 3–2 victory over Fulham.

Carrick said in Thursday’s pre-match press conference that the injury-plagued Englishman won’t be sidelined for very long with his current issue, but Saturday’s game has arrived too soon.

United are still without Matthijs de Ligt due to a mysterious back problem, while Patrick Dorgu, one of the heroes of their wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, is nursing a hamstring injury that could sideline him for 10 weeks.

Man Utd Predicted Lineup vs. Fulham (4-2-3-1)

GK: Senne Lammens—A dull, stable presence between the posts; Lammens is seemingly exactly what United needed. The Belgian better watch out for scorpions in and around his six-yard box this weekend.

RB: Diogo Dalot—Dalot was a favourite of Ruben Amorim’s and remains a mainstay under Carrick, but that’s primarily due to a lack of alternatives.

CB: Harry Maguire—Maguire’s concession of a penalty sparked Fulham’s late revival last weekend, but the Englishman has come to typify United’s resurgence under the new manager.

CB: Lisandro Martínez—The Argentine was sorely missed for much of 2025, with his impact quickly being felt upon his return. Martínez will once again partner Maguire at the heart of United’s defence.

LB: Luke Shaw—Shaw, like Maguire, may soon find himself back in England contention. He’s certainly poised for an extended run in the team if he stays fit, which has been a considerable ask in recent years.

DM: Casemiro—It suddenly looks like Casemiro will be a huge loss when he departs this summer, with the veteran Brazilian midfielder enjoying an excellent campaign. He’s been brilliant under Carrick and found himself on the scoresheet last weekend.

DM: Kobbie Mainoo—The academy graduate has found his feet again, blossoming alongside an experienced head who’s offering him the freedom to express himself with the ball at his feet. Mainoo and Casemiro are set to encounter an energetic Spurs midfield this weekend.

RW: Amad Diallo—The Ivorian has been outshone by his teammates in terms of output, but Carrick clearly values what Amad can provide out of possession. He’ll play a key role in slowing down Destiny Udogie and Tottenham’s combinations down the left.

AM: Bruno Fernandes—United’s star man is in majestic form, and he has plenty of making up to do, given that he was sent off in the corresponding fixture last season.

LW: Matheus Cunha—Cunha came in for Patrick Dorgu and notched his third goal contribution in as many games since Carrick returned for a second bite of the cherry. The Brazilian will retain his place down the left for Spurs’ visit.

ST: Bryan Mbeumo—Mbeumo may start down the right if Benjamin Šeśko is rewarded for last week’s heroics, but it’s unlikely that Carrick will break up the blossoming partnership between the Cameroonian and Fernandes.

READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE

Two members of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ lock horns on Sunday afternoon when Tottenham Hotspur welcome Manchester City to the capital.

The upcoming battle provides a rare occasion in which the entirety of north London will be rooting for Spurs, with Arsenal supporters desperate to see Man City drop more points in the race for the Premier League title. The Cityzens, meanwhile, will be seeking to keep firmly on Arsenal’s tail.

City have responded to disastrous defeats to Manchester United and Bodø/Glimt by securing successive victories to nil, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers and Galatasaray to lift spirits. However, Pep Guardiola’s men can ill-afford many more slip-ups if they’re to pip the Gunners to another crown.

Tottenham have proved difficult opposition for City in recent seasons, winning three of the last five battles including the campaign’s first meeting back in August, but the Lilywhites have hardly been pulling up trees domestically under Thomas Frank.

The former Brentford boss is under immense pressure that a fourth-placed Champions League finish has only somewhat helped ease, with Tottenham supporters perhaps fearing the worst ahead of Sunday’s critical contest.

What Time Does Tottenham vs. Man City Kick Off?

Location: London, England

Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Date: Sunday, Feb. 1

Kick-off Time: 4:30 p.m. GMT / 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT

Referee:Â Rob Jones

VAR:Â Jarred Gillett

Tottenham vs. Man City Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Tottenham: 3 wins

Man City: 2 wins

Draws: 0

Last meeting: Man City 0–2 Tottenham (Aug. 23, 2025)—Premier League

Current Form (All Competitions)

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Tottenham Team News

Micky van de Ven missed the midweek win over Eintracht Frankfurt and is “touch and go” to feature against City, as per Frank. However, the centre back has been training the past few days and could well be involved up against Erling Haaland and Co.

The same can’t be said of eight Tottenham first-teamers, including Ben Davies and Pedro Porro in the backline. Some huge names are absent further forward, with Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison all sidelined.

In better news, Dominic Solanke continues to build up his fitness and has now scored two in his last three games. He could start ahead of Randal Kolo Muani on Sunday.

Tottenham Predicted Lineup vs. Man City

Tottenham predicted lineup vs. Man City (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Gallagher; Odobert, Simons, Tel; Solanke.

Man City Team News

Jérémy Doku has joined City’s list of abentees after picking up a small injury midweek and while he will miss the Spurs game, he’s not expected to be out for too long. Fellow winger Savinho is also in the treatment room.

There are continued issues at centre back with Joško Gvardiol, Rúben Dias and John Stones all missing, while Mateo Kovačić is absent in midfield.

More positively, Rodri is back after being suspended midweek and winter recruits Marc Guéhi and Antoine Semenyo are also available having been ineligible to feature against Galatasaray.

Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Tottenham

Man City predicted lineup vs. Tottenham (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly; Rodri; Semenyo, Reijnders, Silva, Cherki; Haaland.

Tottenham vs. Man City Score Prediction

Both Spurs and City are unpredictable from game to game but it’s Spurs who flounder more regularly. While their European form has been impressive, they have won just one of their last nine domestic matches and haven’t managed a Premier League victory on home soil since beating Brentford in early December.

City will be buoyed by the returns of Guéhi, Semenyo and Rodri, offering them the quality required to dismantle an injury-stricken Spurs side. They are not fantastic in this fixture but they should taste a third straight league win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Prediction: Tottenham 0–2 Man City

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Tottenham Hotspur are among eight teams considering a move for Raheem Sterling following his departure from Chelsea, a report has claimed.

Chelsea reached an agreement to terminate Sterling’s contract earlier this week after failing to find a buyer for the exiled winger, and now the Daily Mail claim the option of a switch to Spurs could be on the table.

A further seven teams are said to be evaluating a switch for Sterling, with Napoli and Juventus joining five unnamed suitors in the race for Sterling’s signature.

Wage Demands Unlikely to Cause Problems

Part of the issue blocking a traditional transfer away from Chelsea was Sterling’s significant wage. He was earning around £325,000 ($446,000) per week at Stamford Bridge but has not played a minute of competitive action since returning from an underwhelming loan with Arsenal last season. Understandably, there were concerns about the finances of a possible deal.

Having now agreed a pay-off from Chelsea, the details of which have not been disclosed, Sterling is now in a position to reduce his demands, and it is believed he is prepared to do exactly that.

Indeed, the report claims Sterling would not even look for a six-figure salary from his next employers, accepting a drop-off of over two thirds to get himself back into work.

Such a salary will undoubtedly appeal to a number of clubs across the globe. While it has been a while since Sterling was at the peak of his powers, a 31-year-old winger who is four appearances shy of 400 in the Premier League still has the potential to be incredibly valuable to a number of teams.

It was believed that Sterling had been prioritising a move to another club in London, having rejected offers from mainland Europe during the summer, although there are suggestions that he would now be prepared to expand his search outside of England’s capital city.

Crucially, Sterling is not bound by the restraints of the transfer window. As a free agent, he can sign with clubs even beyond Monday’s deadline.

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