Man Utd

Despite the disappointing nature of Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham, Zirkzee was one of United’s more eye-catching performers on the afternoon, backing up his equaliser off the bench in the recent Emirates FA Cup win over Leicester City with a positive showing on his first start in five matches.

The 23-year-old, who signed from Italian side Bologna in the summer, operated as one of Amorim’s two central attacking midfielders in the capital and regularly showed his technical quality on the ball, while going close to finding the net in both halves.

On the back of a promising display, and with the Reds’ ranks currently depleted by a number of illnesses and injuries, Zirkzee may now have the opportunity for a run of games in the XI to build on his recent efforts.

If that is to be the case, Amorim’s comments in his post-match press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium suggest it would be in the position that our no.11 played at the weekend, as a ‘number 10’, rather than as the man leading the line – a role he was often stationed in earlier in the campaign.

“I think Josh is not a clear [number] nine, he played more as a 10 [attacking midfielder],” Amorim said of Josh’s performance away to Tottenham.

“He’s stronger physically, he’s thinner, he’s working really hard, and he plays in a better position for him. He’s improving, he’s winning more duels and he’s even faster, you feel that in the game, and that helps to make the decision.”

Along with Zirkzee, Amorim was also asked in his latest media briefing with journalists about mid-season signing Patrick Dorgu, who made his Premier League debut in the defeat at Tottenham.

Having featured as a right wing-back on his United bow in the FA Cup win over Leicester nine days earlier, the versatile defender played on the opposite flank against Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, and was another player who caught the eye in N17.

WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITIES

"It was the biggest difference of the game, they [Tottenham] scored and we didn't. We had the opportunities to score, then in the first half we pushed a little bit harder. We suffered in some transitions trying to get a result, but in the end they scored and we didn’t. “We need to put the ball in the net because we had some chances, we created some chances which is the hardest part. In some games we are there near the box but we don’t create chances. Today we created the chances but we need to score to win games.”

DIFFICULT WHEN YOU LOSE PLAYERS BUT I STICK WITH MY BELIEFS

"You start with one idea. We were asking about a long week for so long. And we worked our principles but day after day, you lose players that change your approach to the game. I could not play the same way with Joshua [Zirkzee] as I can with Amad. Sometimes you want Bruno [Fernandes] to reach the ball in the build-up because he's really good switching the play. But then you want Bruno also to press and it's really hard. And when you are changing all the time to get the players to react to the base, it's really hard.

"4-4-2 in the low block is harder to play against this team than what we did today, that's my opinion. They are so open and stretch the team. What you see guys and what you discuss every week, I also see. I have a lot of problems, my job is so, so hard here. But I stick with my beliefs."

WHAT THE PLAYERS NEED TO DO FOR THE NEXT GAME

“I think the best thing is to forget the past. Don’t focus on the schedule, don’t focus on the moment, don’t focus on the context. It’s just work during the week and prepare the game. Then is the next game and we will try to win the game.”

SOME PLAYERS EXPECTED TO RETURN AT EVERTON

“It [the injury and illness situation this week] doesn’t matter, it’s in the past. We want to recover the players, I think we can recover some players for the next game [against Everton]. From this moment until the end of the season, it’s going to be like that so we have to be together to finish the season and then start over.”

YOUNG PLAYERS WILL GET THEIR OPPORTUNITY

“This is the hardest competition [the Premier League] in the world. I am trying to be careful with them. I felt the team was pushing for the goal and I felt I don't want to change. But they will play, they have to be ready. You try to read the game, you try to understand what you see in training. I felt the team were pushing for the goal and I didn't feel the need to change.”

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

“It [the support of the fans] is really important. Like I said during this week, sometimes it’s really hard to face them in this moment but we are doing everything, I am doing everything. Sometimes we can do it or not, in this context, so we know that they want to see more. They are in a difficult moment, we know that, and we are trying everything to turn things around. We are going to do this week and in the next game, we want to win the next game.”

I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT ME

"I am not worried. I understand our fans, what the people and media think about it. I want to finish the league strong, I’m not worried about me, I’m worried about the club, the team, the players. I hate to lose; that feeling is the worst. The rest I am not thinking about. I just want to help my players. I understand my situation, my job, I am confident on my work and I just want to win games. I am more concerned about the club and the team and the place in the table is my worry. I am not worried about me."

The 17-year-old, who signed from Tottenham's north London rivals Arsenal last October, has made a notable impression for the club's youth teams this season and was rewarded with his first-team bow as United sought out a late equaliser in the capital.

Obi replaced Casemiro in the first of three stoppage-time minutes at the end of the second half and, while United were unable to find the net in the time remaining, the youngster will be able to look back on today proudly with his milestone moment.

The Dane's goalscoring exploits in the youth ranks at Arsenal meant excitement naturally greeted his arrival among supporters last year, and the forward quickly showed the intent that he came to Manchester with, scoring a 15-minute hat-trick on his Under-18s debut against Nottingham Forest.

He's since took his U18 Premier League tally to five in six appearances and has already notched seven in our three FA Youth Cup matches this season, netting braces in wins versus Coventry and Preston before another treble, in this month's fifth-round success over Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village.

Chido has also been able to gain experience in our Under-21s' side since the turn of the year, playing twice in Premier League 2, including a full 90 minutes against Tottenham earlier this month.

The 17-year-old had been one of several young Reds to train with the first team in the build-up to today's meeting with Spurs' senior side, and was included in the first-team squad for the first time as a member of a youthful-looking bench, with United's senior ranks depleted heavily as a result of fresh injuries and illness.

Asked about bringing Chido on, Ruben Amorim said during his post-match press conference: “I think if you see Chido playing sometimes, every ball lost in the box, he’s very clever. So, I was trying to put one more player [in there].

“I felt the team was good during the game and I didn’t feel the need to change. Then, Chido was like that player, one long ball in and he could make the difference.”

Obi was Amorim's only introduction on the afternoon and, while it was only a brief cameo, it will no doubt serve as further motivation for the young striker to keep striving towards being a regular part of the first-team setup in the weeks and matches ahead.

The Reds gave it everything in north London, and applied significant pressure on the Spurs goal in both halves, but could not find the equaliser that they arguably deserved on the balance of general play.

The decisive moment of the contest came in the 13th minute, when Maddison was first to the rebound from Lucas Bergvall's low shot, which had been parried by Andre Onana.

Both sides had plenty of chances during the remainder of an at-times frantic encounter that could easily have ended 3-3, but Ruben Amorim's Reds were left ruing a lack of ruthlessness in the Spurs penalty area.

There was, at least, one bright moment in the final stages, however, when 17-year-old Chido Obi came on for his first-team debut.

FIRST HALF – A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Despite a strong, possession-heavy start to the game for Spurs, United had the better of an entertaining first half.

Rasmus Hojlund shot straight at Guglielmo Vicario when sent clear by Harry Maguire's long pass and, from the loose ball, Alejandro Garnacho tested the Tottenham keeper again with a curler targeted at the top corner. Then Ben Davies cleared Diogo Dalot's resulting cross, from just in front of the goal line.

But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 13th minute, when Bergvall's low left-footed drive was palmed away by Onana. Maddison reacted quickest, and was rewarded with a simple chance to prod the ball home. One-nil.

United responded decently enough. Joshua Zirkzee shot from distance and only narrowly failed to find the bottom corner, but by far the best chance of the first 45 fell to Garnacho, who was well located around 10 yards out by Bruno Fernandes's simple pass. Sadly, the Argentina international skied his shot, when most inside the stadium expected an equaliser.

Mathys Tel had an effort saved comfortably by Onana shortly after, and both sides enjoyed moments of promise during the remainder of the half. But United headed to the dressing rooms behind, and surely destined for pleas from the coaching staff to be more ruthless, more clinical, in the final third.

SECOND HALF – TO AND FRO

United had peppered the opposition goal during spells in the first half, and they had plenty of other promising phases in the second 45. The only problem? Spurs looked equally dangerous, and already possessed that all-important advantage, courtesy of Maddison's opener.

Tel had the first chance after the interval, but could only shoot tamely at Onana, and then came the Reds' best period of the game, between the 55 and 60-minute marks. Garnacho was sent racing clear behind Spurs' high line, but was denied by Vicario and then, off balance, unable to turn the rebound towards Hojlund. Minutes later, the same player had a low drive which was again well repelled by the Spurs stopper, whose sight line was possibly obscured by Zirkzee, standing in an offside position.

The Dutchman was the recipient of possibly our best chance of the entire second half when he latched on to Noussair Mazraoui's dangerous cross from the right, but could not angle the ball inside the far corner. Despite that disappointment, it was one of the forward's better performances for the Reds this season, with plenty of nice touches and intelligent play. The former Bologna man will just be disappointed that he did not find the goal required to level the game.

In his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, shortly after arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the 16:30 GMT kick-off, Amorim explained that a mix of illness and fresh injuries have prevented several Reds from being involved in the capital.

The boss began his update by providing further detail on in-form forward Amad - who confirmed on Saturday that he is facing a spell on the sidelines with an issue - before clarifying why defender Leny Yoro plus midfielders Toby Collyer, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte have not made today's squad.

“Amad was alone [when he picked up his injury], Ugarte was a kick, Toby [Collyer] and Kobbie [Mainoo] felt something during training. Leny [Yoro] also is sick,” he said.

“It is what it is but we have the kids [coming into the squad], they have the opportunity to be on the bench and they are ready to play.

“It’s a really hard season and we have to deal with that and we are doing that.”

Asked if he feared that Amad's injury might end the Ivorian's season, Amorim said: “I think so, yeah.”

Christian Eriksen also won't play against his former club due to illness, but the aforementioned absences do provide opportunities elsewhere - including for the eight young players that join experienced centre-back Victor Lindelof on the bench.

Goalkeeper Elyh Harrison, defensive trio Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson and Ayden Heaven, midfielders Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone and Jack Moorhouse, plus striker Chido Obi are all in line for senior debuts for the Reds, should they be called upon as substitutes.

Alejandro Garnacho starts, following his fine cameo against Leicester City in the Emirates FA Cup, while Casemiro replaces the absent Kobbie Mainoo (injured) in midfield.

Amad revealed yesterday that he has picked up an ankle injury that will keep him out for some time, so Joshua Zirkzee joins Rasmus Hojlund in attack.

The fourth change is Matthijs de Ligt, who returns in place of Leny Yoro (ill), while there's also a fascinating substitutes line-up, which includes six Academy graduates.

Chido Obi is named in a matchday squad for the first time, following his hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup victory over Chelsea, and is joined by fellow youngsters Elyh Harrison, Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher and Jack Moorhouse,

January signing Ayden Heaven is also among the subs, as is midfielder Sekou Kone, and joining them is one senior member of the squad: Victor Lindelof.

Should one of the Academy Reds make it onto the pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, they will become our 252th youth graduate, following in the footsteps of Toby Collyer, who debuted in the Charity Shield last August.

Christian Eriksen and Manuel Ugarte miss the trip through illness and injury, respectively.

Part two: Press conference v Spurs  Man Utd

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United - English Premier League 16 February 2025 | Manchester United  Man Utd

The Reds are looking to avenge the home league reverse and Carabao Cup exit to Spurs earlier in the season, and have had time on the training ground this week to prepare for the challenge in the capital.

Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount missed the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round win over Leicester City last Friday due to injury.

One player is a doubt this weekend due to illness and there are a couple of "issues" the boss is having to contend with.

"It has been a good week," he said at the press conference to preview the Spurs game. "Until two days ago, [when] we had some problems. Also as we don't have players back.

"Maybe we will have one or two issues, but we are waiting. We have one player who is sick, so we will see the team on the weekend. But it was good to work with the team and to try to help the players in our performances."

When pushed on the names of those who are perhaps doubts for the north London encounter, he replied: "No, no, we will see at the weekend."

Answering another question on youth-team striker Chido Obi, Amorim revealed youngsters have been training with the senior squad.

“I don’t want to say names," he replied. "We have to be careful on that. We have problems this week, we called some young players to be in our training. We have some data evaluation. He is one of them."

TOTTENHAM'S TEAM NEWS

Spurs' injury situation is looking rosier heading into the 16:30 GMT kick-off.

Ange Postecoglou delivered a detailed update on his plans during a press conference on Friday afternoon, and the signs are positive that there will be more options available to him for the home clash.

Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie and James Maddison are all in full training, while Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner are also close to a return. Wilson Odobert is another who is out on the grass again, but he will not be rushed back.

Radu Dragusin is out for the season, though, and strikers Dominic Solanke and Richarlison are both unavailable.

Defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are also due to remain on the sidelines.

"Micky, Cuti [Romero] and Dom [Solanke], we're looking at the next two or three weeks for them," said Postecoglou. "They're going well. I guess with Micky, we decided to take a different strategy with him. We just want to make sure he's absolutely right.

"He's working well and feeling good, which is positive. Similar with Cuti, we're just waiting. The healing in his quad is taking longer than we thought. He's got one more scan to make sure it's healed properly. Once we get that sign-off, we should be good to go."

Ruben Amorim's Reds face a third away league game since the turn of the year, following the 2-2 draw at Liverpool and 1-0 victory at Fulham.

Spurs currently sit one place and two points behind United in the table, in 14th spot, with both teams experiencing difficult top-flight campaigns. While we progressed in the Emirates FA Cup last time out, Ange Postecoglou's men crashed out at Aston Villa.

The two English sides in the Europa League can only meet each other in the final in Bilbao, as the Reds and north Londoners await the outcome of the play-offs in the competition.

Having lost to Spurs 3-0 at home, when Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half - his red card was later overturned - and then 4-3 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Carabao Cup, there will be a real determination to set the record straight in the capital.

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium clash will take place on Sunday at 16:30 GMT. MUTV's build-up starts at 15:25 GMT, while Sky Sports are covering the match action live in the UK.

You can listen along to the game through our radio commentary, with pre-match and post-match coverage also on offer, live from the ground.

As always, you can tune in via ManUtd.com and the United App, where our match centre will have rolling updates, opinions and stats across the 90 minutes, as well as the highlights two hours after the final whistle.

Longer versions will be made available from Monday.

TEAM NEWS

Lisandro Martinez joined Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Mason Mount on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in the recent defeat to Crystal Palace.

Under-21s goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk was on the bench for the cup win over Leicester City, as Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton were both unavailable.

Patrick Dorgu made his debut against the Foxes, coming off at half-time, while Ayden Heaven was close to his bow after being an unused substitute.

Richarlison appears to have joined a lengthy injury list for Spurs, which includes Radu Dragusin, who is out for the season. However, manager Postecoglou has suggested he will welcome a few players back into contention for this weekend's encounter.

Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie and James Maddison are among those tipped to return, while influential defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are believed to be not too far away from being fit enough to play.

OPPOSITION REPORT

Spurs are experiencing a tough time of things, with an impressive 2-0 victory at Brentford their only league win this year. Their last home outing in the competition was the surprise 2-1 reverse to Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester City in January.

Postecoglou has, rightly, pointed to the long injury list as the main source of the problems but the attack was strengthened during the window, when Mathys Tel arrived on loan from Bayern Munich. The promising striker got off the mark with the consolation effort in the 2-1 FA Cup loss at Villa.

With Dominic Solanke, who has a good record against United, another of those out of action at the moment, Tel could be a key figure on Sunday.

Centre-back Kevin Danso has also joined to help increase the options in defence.

DID YOU KNOW?

Amorim's side are looking to prevent Tottenham completing their first league double over the Reds since the 1989/90 season.

In that campaign, the north Londoners also knocked Alex Ferguson's team out of the League Cup, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Gary Lineker scored the only goal of the league game at the Theatre of Dreams, before adding to a Paul Gascoigne strike to claim the eventual winner in a 2-1 triumph at White Hart Lane. Steve Bruce's penalty pulled one back for the visitors.