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Tottenham 1-0 Man United HALF-TIME

Spurs are head at home in the battle of the under-pressure managers, thanks to a goal from the returning James Maddison.

The Red Devils have been poor for large parts of the contest but arguably should have been level through Alejandro Garnacho.

The Argentine continued his recent poor run in front of goal by blazing over his side's clearest opportunity.

Meanwhile, Rasmus Højlund had the fewest touches (9) and made the fewest passes (3) of any player in the first half.

But there are reasons for Ruben Amorim to remain positive...

Spurs are winless in their last three Premier League home games when leading at half-time (D1 L2).

Tottenham 1-0 Man United

To run home Gary Neville's point, Casemiro has just picked up the game's first yellow card for a rash tackle on Heung-min Son.

Since his Premier League debut in August 2022, Casemiro has received more yellow cards (16) than any other United player.

The veteran Brazilian seems to be struggling with an injury in the aftermath of his challenge.

Ruben Amorim has a nervous glance towards the young subs warming up.

But fortunately for him, the former Real Madrid man gingerly returns to his feet and looks set to continue to half-time at the very least.

Tottenham 1-0 Man United

Gary Neville told Sky Sports: "The distance between the two centre midfielders for United is all wrong.

"Look where [Bruno] Fernandes is, look where Casemiro is. It breaks all rules of football. It's absolute madness.

"The structure of the team is awful."

He later added: "The two in midfield are split, it's embarrassing, you wouldn't see it in Under-9s or U10s football!

"Look at that space in midfield! Shocking."

Tottenham 1-0 Man United

WHAT A CHANCE FOR ALEJANDRO GARNACHO!

It's brilliantly engineered by Bruno Fernandes, who finds the Argentine in acres of space inside the box.

He's got a free shot from 10 yards out as Guglielmo Vicario comes rushing out but somehow Garnacho blazes it over the crossbar.

Perhaps showing why his last Premier League goal came under Ruben Amorim's predecessor Ruud van Nistelrooy!

Of players to have at least 10 big chances in the Premier League this season, Garnacho has the worst big chance conversion rate (2/14 - 14.3%)

GOAL!! Tottenham 1-0 Man United James Maddison

WHAT A START FOR SPURS!

So quickly after Guglielmo Vicario had been called into action with a quick double save to deny Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, the home side take the lead.

It's a mistake from Andre Onana, who spills Lucas Bergvall's effort from inside the box, and Maddison reacts quickest.

The England star pounces to finish from close-range into an empty net!

Maddison has been directly involved in 11 goals in 16 Premier League starts this season (8 goals, 3 assists).

However, that is his first Premier League goal against Man United, on his 12th appearance against them in the competition.

And there's a cheeky shush to the camera after his trademark darts celebration.

A nod to Roy Keane's public criticism of him in midweek for failing to show up in the big games?

Robertson: Second half was a slog

More from Liverpool defender Andy Robertson to Sky Sports: "We just managed to dig deep.

"Two nil at half-time, that can be one of the most dangerous results in football. We had to come out and start well and didn't quite do that.

"Second half was a slog, maybe playing Wednesday took it out of a few of the lads. But it was about trying to use the experience on the pitch and everything we've got.

"When they scored, everyone gets nervous, the crowd gets nervous - but it's a massive win for us."

Red alert

Liverpool didn't attempt a single shot in the second half against Wolves.

That is the first time on record (from 2003-04) that the Reds failed to register a shot in a single half of a Premier League game at Anfield.

Andy Robertson attempted to explain why to Sky Sports: "I thought Wolves were excellent second half.

"They made a couple of changes at half-time at 2-0 down and went a little more attacking with more forward players up in key areas. That made it more difficult.

"But we have to be better on the ball. We know that.

"The result is big, after Wednesday and the defeat in the FA Cup, it's important to get back to a winning streak.

"Hopefully, this can be the start of one."

Liverpool 2-1 Wolves FULL-TIME

THE REDS HOLD ON TO A VITAL THREE POINTS!

Having conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to blow a 2-1 lead, history almost repeats itself for the second time in the same week.

However, Arne Slot's men, buoyed by the Anfield crowd, crawl over the line to restore their gap to Arsenal to seven points.

It looked a comfortable afternoon for Liverpool at half-time, with goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah putting the club in complete control.

The Merseysiders thought they had the chance to end the contest with a second penalty only to see it overturned for a Diogo Jota dive.

Matheus Cunha's stunning solo effort threatened to turn the narrative on its head as Wolves piled on a late onslaught.

But that decisive second goal didn't come for the away side, with Liverpool holding on for a much-needed Premier League victory.

Liverpool have won 30 of their 40 matches across all competitions this season (D6 L4), more than any other team in Europe’s big five leagues. Indeed, only in 2019-20 (37) and 1982-83 (39) have they reached 30 victories in a season in fewer games.

Liverpool have won 60 points in 25 Premier League matches under Arne Slot (W18 D6 L1).

The only manager in the competition’s history to win more points through his first 25 matches is José Mourinho (64 – Antonio Conte also on 60).

Liverpool 2-1 Wolves CHANCE

WHAT A TACKLE FROM JARELL QUANSAH!!

How big a moment could that be in the Premier League title race - Arsenal fans will be cursing the heavens at how close Wolves have come!

Tommy Doyle is found in space inside the box around the back of Andy Robertson and he squares a dangerous ball across the face.

It looks for all the world as if Munetsi has a tap in from close range but Quansah comes from nowhere to get a vital touch in.

Virgil van Dijk then clears away the loose ball but Liverpool living dangerously in the final few minutes.

SIX minutes added time!

Amorim: Amad to miss rest of season

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, speaking to Sky Sports, first on his club's injury crisis following training this week: "Amad [Diallo] was alone, [Manuel] Ugarte was a kick. Toby [Collyer] and Kobbie [Mainoo] felt something.

"It is what it is, but we have the kids and they have the opportunity to be on the bench. It is a really hard season and we have to deal with that."

On whether he expects Diallo to miss the rest of the season, Amorim added: "I think so, yes.

"I don't see it like that [world against us]. There are seasons when everything happens at the same time. Maybe we will find new ways to create situations.

"We have kids with less responsibility, less weight on their shoulders. They are good players. If needed we will put the kids to play and maybe we will find good things in this moment.

"It is a very good moment in their lives, no matter the moment of our club. We are ready to try to win this game. We want to win this game, we need to win this game.

"Whatever happens in the end it is my responsibility."

GOAL!! Liverpool 2-1 Wolves Matheus Cunha

WHAT A FINISH TO BRING THE VISITORS BACK INTO THIS ONE!!

Cunha scores for a third game in a row with a stunning curling finish from the edge of the box into the far corner.

Just minutes after the Brazilian had missed a guilt-edged chance from a Trent Alexander-Arnold pass, he halves Wolves' deficit.

Liverpool undone by a double change as Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota are replaced by Darwin Nunez and Conor Bradley.

The Reds are caught cold from the restart as Cunha chops inside Ryan Gravenberch and beats Alisson Becker quite spectacularly.

Cunha has scored more goals from outside the area in the Premier League this season than any other player (5)

Only Raul Jimenez in 2019-20 (17) and 2018-19 (13) has ever scored more goals in a Premier League season for Wolves than him in 2024-25 (12).

Liverpool 2-0 Wolves

Quansah is on at half-time for Konate, who had been walking a tight-rope having been shown a yellow card during a testing 45 minutes.

A reverse substitution of the one Arne Slot made during his first ever Premier League match against Ipswich Town in August.

It is Quansah's first Premier League appearance of 2025, having fallen down the pecking order since that testing day at Portman Road.

Konate meanwhile scored in the reverse fixture away at Wolves earlier in the season but has struggled this afternoon.

Elsewhere, Bellegarde and Munetsi - the latter on for his Wolves debut - come on for Sarabia and Guedes.

Liverpool 2-0 Wolves HALF-TIME

Liverpool have scored 2+ goals in 17 successive matches at Anfield in all competitions.

That is the club's joint-longest run of scoring 2+ at home since joining the Football League in 1893 (also 17 from February to November 2019).

Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah involved in both goals, with the former deflecting home a fortuitously poor-touch from the latter early on.

Diaz then won Liverpool a penalty after being taken out by Jose Sa, from which Salah duly stepped up to score from 12 yards.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Wolves Luis Diaz

DIAZ GETS A BIT OF LUCK BUT HE WON'T CARE!

Restored to his favoured left-wing position amid Cody Gakpo's injury, the Colombian has ended his recent goal drought.

It comes from Diaz's own cross for Mohamed Salah but the Egyptian's first touch is a poor one that ricochets into a dangerous area.

Toti helps it on and Diaz is first to it at the far post - it bounces off his chest on the fall which takes it past the onrushing Jose Sa.

Díaz has scored his first goal of 2025 in all competitions, ending a run of 10 games without scoring for Liverpool.

The winger has netted nine goals in the Premier League this season, his best-ever return in a campaign in the competition, whilst overall that was his 25th strike in England's top-flight.

Carragher told Sky Sports: ""Liverpool get a little bit of luck, and it's probably the only thing he can score with, Luis Diaz.

"We talk about getting a goal when you're struggling off your backside - this is off his midriff!

"Maybe that goal can give him confidence to return to the Luis Diaz we know."

Liverpool 0-0 Wolves CHANCE!

What a start that would have been for Trent Alexander-Arnold on his record-breaking milestone appearance!

The home side win a corner inside 30 seconds as Mohamed Salah's cross is deflected behind.

It's a well-worked set-piece routine that title rivals Arsenal would have been proud of as Andy Robertson plays it short to Alexis Mac Allister.

The Argentine returns the ball to Robertson who picks out the run of his fellow full-back who had ghosted into the box unmarked.

Alexander-Arnold tries to emulate Steven Gerrard against Olympiacos with a first-time driven shot but gets it all wrong as it spins wide!

Two struggling sides go head-to-head as Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United best bets

Tottenham Hotspur to win - 33/13 with SBK

BTTS and over 2.5 goals - 4/7 with Paddy Power

Mathys Tel to score any time - 9/5 with Betfred

Spurs vs Man Utd odds

Find the latest Spurs vs Man Utd betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United predictions

This has been a Premier League season to forget for both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

When the fixture list was released at the start of the campaign, this game looked like being significant in the top-four race. Instead, Tottenham head into Sunday’s match way down in 14th, with United one spot below their upcoming opponents.

A bottom-half finish is a genuine possibility for both sides. United have never finished lower than eighth in the Premier League era, while you have to go back to 2007/08 to find the last time Spurs ended a campaign outside the top 10.

That was also the year in which Tottenham won their most recent trophy, as Juande Ramos’ team beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup final.

Ten days ago, Spurs were still involved in three cup competitions. The Premier League had become a secondary consideration, usurped by the club’s desire to end its trophy drought.

However, recent defeats by Liverpool in the EFL Cup and Aston Villa in the FA Cup mean Ange Postecoglou’s charges are no longer able to claim a piece of domestic silverware this term. Their season, and perhaps the manager’s future, now comes down to the Europa League.

Manchester United are also through to the last 16 of that tournament, while they remain in the FA Cup too. Yet Ruben Amorim is struggling three months into the job. Results have been mediocre and performances have, for the most part, been poor.

Something has to change for both Postecoglou and Amorim. The former has rightly pointed to an injury crisis as justification for his team’s dismal form, but even with key players out Spurs should be higher than 14th.

Amorim, meanwhile, continues to insist he will not deviate from his preferred 3-4-3 system, even though the formation patently does not suit most of the players at his disposal.

The winner of Sunday’s clash will be given a reprieve, while the pressure will be piled on the losing manager.

The Tottenham supporters are yet to turn on Postecoglou, while there is little chance of Amorim’s job being under threat this season. Yet being in the bottom half of the table at this late stage of the season reflects extremely poorly on both clubs.

Tottenham vs Man United betting tips

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are both in desperate need of a pick-me-up ahead of Sunday’s showdown.

Tottenham Hotspur to win

Tottenham remain without several first-teamers heading into the weekend, including Dominic Solanke, Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario.

The likes of James Maddison and Micky van de Ven are doubts and it would be a surprise to see either player in the starting XI.

Manchester United have fewer absentees, yet we anticipate them coming unstuck at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs are a deeply flawed team, but they still have some things going for them. Despite everything, Tottenham have scored the joint-third most goals in the division. Even with players out, this side creates chances.

United have been extremely underwhelming of late. They are heavily reliant on the relatively inexperienced Amad Diallo for inspiration in the final third, while question marks over the defence persist.

⚽ Back Tottenham Hotspur to win at 33/13 with SBK ⚽

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals

There is no such thing as a guaranteed payout, but this wager has been successful more often than not in matches involving Tottenham in 2025.

Postcoglou’s stubbornness has cost his team this season. Even with a second-string defensive unit, the Tottenham manager has refused to offer the backline more protection.

Spurs are a front-footed, attack-minded side and their games tend to be remarkably open. Their 24 Premier League fixtures have averaged 3.54 goals per 90 minutes.

Manchester United’s contests have been less eventful (that is part of the problem), but they will find themselves swept along by Spurs, as they were in a 4-3 defeat on their last visit to this stadium in December.

⚽ Tip both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 4/7 with Paddy Power ⚽

Mathys Tel to score any time

Mathys Tel was a rare bright spot for Tottenham in their loss to Aston Villa in the FA Cup last weekend.

The Bayern Munich loanee went straight into the starting XI following his recent move to north London. Tel looked lively throughout and it was he who scored Tottenham’s only goal of the game.

The Frenchman’s long-term future will not necessarily be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Postecoglou will be keen to make the most of the forward’s talents for the time being.

There is no doubting the 19-year-old’s natural gifts and Spurs supporters liked what they saw at Villa Park.

Do not be surprised if Tel makes his mark on his home debut on Sunday.

⚽ Go for Mathys Tel to score any time at 9/5 with Betfred ⚽

📺 How to watch Tottenham vs Man United

Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England.

Date and time: Sunday 16th February, 4.30pm.

How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Read more about the 2024/25 football season

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Aaron Lennon believes Tottenham's clash against Manchester United could be a preview of the Europa League final.

That's despite both clubs 'massively underachieving' as they struggle in the Premier League.

The two floundering giants clash on Sunday afternoon in north London, with both sides in desperate need of a win.

Since December 22, Tottenham and United have combined for three wins, two draws and an alarming 11 defeats from the last eight league fixtures.

Prior to Tottenham's 2-0 win over Brentford on February 2, they had not tasted victory in their last seven.

However, the two teams have enjoyed much greater success in their Europa League endeavours.

At the end of the league phase, United and Tottenham finished third and fourth respectively to avoid an extra two fixtures by way of the play-offs to qualify for the round of 16.

It paints quite the contrasting picture for the two teams, which is why former Tottenham winger Lennon believes Sunday is such a tantalising fixture.

However, despite the implications of a loss for either side, the former Tottenham winger refused to name it as 'make or break' for Ange Postecoglou or Ruben Amorim.

"This game is massive for both clubs," Lennon told talkSPORT.com.

"Two teams that are massively underachieving. These are two teams everyone's been laughing about all season. The performance levels have been nowhere near where they should be for these two football clubs.

"These two are probably favourites to win the Europa League, which is scary. If they don't draw each other, this could easily be the Europa League final.

Tottenham and Manchester United's Premier League results since December 22

"I don't think it's make or break, I really don't. But it's a big game because both teams are not playing well and both teams badly need a win.

"So it's not make or break, but it would do wonders for Spurs to get a win."

Victory for Tottenham would mark the first time since September they have strung together consecutive league wins this season.

Coincidentally one of those wins came against United, as Postecoglou's side won 3-0 at Old Trafford on September 29 thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke.

However, eight of the Tottenham players who started that match are either major doubts or certain to miss Sunday's fixture.

Postecoglou's side also enter the contest on the back of damaging exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup against Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively.

In those matches, especially against Villa, the toll of playing midweek and on the weekend took its toll on a threadbare squad.

Tottenham's players looked evidently knackered and lethargic against a fresh Villa side, who constantly sliced the north London side open across all areas of the pitch.

But thanks to no midweek match, it's given Postecoglou and his players a vital breather and a chance for those injured players to step up their recovery.

With a few days of much-needed rest, Lennon expects an improved and energetic performance from Tottenham.

However, if they produce a similar display to that of the Villa match, the Australian boss will have 'huge problems' on his hand.

"The last couple of games, I know the lads are tired and I know they've got injuries, but still, the manner has not been good enough," Lennon said.

"You never want to see it as a fan or ex-player. Even the Villa game, there was no real fight.

"You can accept a team is better than you, Liverpool are better than Spurs, no doubt. But can you accept a team out-fighting you, out-running you?

"So I think the manner of the performance is what we're going to see. Do the lads look really up for it, are they going to battle, are they going to fight for this football club?

"I think that's more of what's going to be the cause of bigger problems, if they just turn up and get beat.

"I think that will cause huge problems for Postecoglou."

Former Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon insists fans 'don't quite realise' how deeply chairman Daniel Levy cares about the club.

Lennon's defence as a number of fans gather for a planned protest to express their frustrations with Levy's tenure.

The protest will take place before Tottenham's crunch Premier League fixture against fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United on Sunday, where a win for Ange Postecoglou's side would see them leapfrog their 13th-placed rivals in the table.

Hundreds are expected to turn out for the demonstration having grown fed up with the club's decline on the pitch under Levy's watch.

Tottenham have not won a trophy in 17 years and have failed to finish in the top three since 2018.

The north London side also sit 14th in the table with 27 points, 16 off the Champions League places but, more worryingly, only 10 away from the relegation zone.

This is despite the club posting a revenue of £615million last season and charging the second-most expensive adult season ticket in Europe at £856.

Fans have previously vented their frustrations at Levy by writing 'L£VY OUT' on balloons, loudly chanting the phrase during matches as well as holding banners that read 'Profit before glory' and 'To dare is too dear', a play on words of their motto 'to dare is to do'.

Many have come to the conclusion Levy cares only about the profit margins rather than the performances on the field.

However, Lennon believes the outside world is largely unaware of just how deeply Levy cares about the club.

"I think fans don't quite realise how much that club means to him," Lennon told talkSPORT.com.

"He is a proper, true supporter. I've sat with Daniel when Spurs have got beat and he is devastated. Not just as an owner, but as a fan."

Lennon conceded it took six years before he and Levy got to properly know each other, but the pair later shared what the former Tottenham winger described as 'an amazing relationship'.

It was no more evident than when it came time for Lennon to move on from north London.

"He was fantastic," Lennon said.

"Even when I was leaving, he sat in a room with me for hours before I was up the motorway to Everton. We had good, honest conversations.

"Even after I left, he sent the odd message and seeing how I am and wishing me well.

"I can't speak highly enough of him in that sense."

However, Lennon can fully understand why fans have grown 'unhappy' with Levy's tenure at the club.

"Because I do believe at times there's been opportunities where they probably should have spent more money," Lennon said.

"I do think at times instead of buying these £40m, £50m players, maybe go buy an £80m player.

"Because if you want to get to that next level, this is where that club is going to have to go."

Lennon also felt Levy cannot escape blame for Tottenham's malaise in recent years.

Despite spending just shy of £500m on transfers since the 20/21 season - the third-most in the Premier League - the club has recorded finishes of 7th, 4th, 8th and 5th.

The north London side have also cycled through several managers, with Postecoglou the fourth permanent manager in that time.

However, Lennon believes the finger could deservedly be pointed at multiple people.

"At the start of last season when Ange started with ten wins, everyone was like, 'Levy's a hero, he's brought in Ange,'" Lennon said.

"Now it's, 'Daniel needs to go, the board needs to go, Ange needs to go.'

"I think there's been some bad decisions made at the football club. I think some of the signings have not been good enough over the last few windows, which has not helped.

"I don't think you can point the finger at just one. I think it's a collective. Even the players have been underperforming.

Tottenham's spending and league position since 20/21 compared to 'Big Six' rivals

"You can point fingers at whoever's been buying players. Should Levy have spent more money? Maybe so.

"As a whole, there's been some bad decisions at the football club recently."

A win over United may not be enough to silence Tottenham fans from continually expressing their anger regarding Levy, but it would undoubtedly lift the mood around the club following two limp displays that resulted in instant exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

But a loss would crank up the decibel levels on the 'Levy Out' chants and leave the club mired in further misery.

Manchester United take on Tottenham on Sunday afternoon in a huge clash between two underachieving Premier League teams at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Tottenham head into this weekend's crunch Premier League match having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions in their last two matches, which they will argue enables them now to focus on fixing their Premier League season.

Ange Postecoglou's side have won only one of their last eight matches in the Premier League, and have struggled all season in the league with the team currently down in 14th place heading into the final third of the season.

The north London side are winless in their last seven home games in the Premier League, in a run of games which has seen them host three of the current four bottom sides in the league.

They prepare for the visit of a Manchester United side who haven't faired much better in the Premier League, another side hugely underperforming their expectations, with the Red Devils heading into this weekend's game in 13th place in the table.

Sat just two points and one place above Tottenham, Ruben Amorim has failed to have the desired impact since taking over the side from Erik ten Hag in November, with United having won only two of their last eight Premier League matches.

The Red Devils have though won four of their last five matches in all competitions, arguably putting them in a stronger position heading into the weekend, but take on a Spurs side they have struggled against in recent years in a huge game between the league's two sleeping giants.

Spurs are unbeaten in their last five matches against Manchester United, and have already beaten the Red Devils twice this season, scoring seven goals in the process.

How to watch Tottenham v Manchester United

Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Date and time: Sunday 16th February 2025, 4:30pm

How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra HDR

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Tottenham and Arsenal's rivalry is legendary and can get a bit heated; just ask Emmanuel Petit.

The Frenchman represented the Gunners in numerous north London derbies, so he experienced first-hand just how intense they can be.

However, on one occasion, things went too far.

Petit spent three years with Arsenal and claimed the Premier League title in that time.

And while playing for the north London giants, the former French international nearly found himself in a fight with a Spurs fan.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT Drive about the incident, Petit recalled just how close he came to fighting a regular supporter.

When asked about derbies, he discussed the north London affair before revealing this scary story.

He said: "One day, I was driving back from the train station, and two different cars had an argument at the traffic lights, and they came out and started to have a fight.

"There was a big truck, and he was screaming at them, and I was next to them, and I thought they were taking a risk, so someone had to tell them something, so I jumped out of my car and told them to calm down.

"This guy recognised me and said, 'you, shut up etcetera.' I am not going to repeat what he called me.

"And I said, 'what the f*** is wrong with you?'

"He said he was Spurs and got straight back into the truck, and I tried to open the window.

"I wanted to fight with him because I was peaceful, but the guy just jumped on me.

"He was insulting me, he was saying bad things about me.

"So, I was thinking to myself, 'I am not a coward. If you want a fight, I am here'.

"So, this is exactly what it means."

So, in another life, we could have seen stories about Petit fighting a Tottenham fan.

Of course, this is a very extreme example, but it does show the level of hatred between the two clubs.

This explains why former Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon can't see Harry Kane joining Arsenal if he returns from Bayern Munich.

The Gunners are in desperate need for a striker after Kai Havertz was ruled out for the season, and the idea was floated about Kane returning to the Premier League to play for Mikel Arteta's men.

However, Lennon was having none of it, given that Kane is Tottneham's record goalscorer.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Lennon said: “I’m not buying that, not a chance in the world Harry Kane goes to Arsenal.

“I think he goes to a better club (when he leaves Bayern) or he finishes his career back at Spurs. There’s no chance he goes to Arsenal, can you imagine what that would do? (to the Tottenham fans)”

There are many great derbies and rivalries around England, all with their own history attached.

The north London derby is so important for both sets of fans and players.

On this occasion, the situation with Petit got a bit out of hand, with the Frenchman more than ready to start throwing digs, but thankfully, we avoided any tabloid-worthy situation.

Ex-Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda has revealed Juande Ramos' diet rules were not the hardest thing to deal with during his tenure.

The former Spurs full-back made 36 appearances under the Spaniard, whose bans on sugar, juice and sauce on meals gave him something of an authoritarian label.

Ramos guided Spurs to their last major trophy as they beat Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final.

Chimbonda started at Wembley Stadium as his side came from behind to win 2-1 after extra-time.

The trophy came just four months after Ramos' arrival in north London in October 2007.

The secret to Ramos' success could've been down to the string of changes to the diets of the Spurs squad after feeling he had inherited a team of overweight stars.

For Chimbonda, though, the language barrier was a bigger issue than being told what he could eat with Ramos only speaking Spanish to his players.

The 45-year-old told Inside Spurs: "The assistant coach was speaking English so I think it was more easy to communicate with the players because he was full Spanish. I don’t even think he wanted to speak English, you know.

"So yes it’s hard when you can’t talk, communicate with your manager, with your own players and bring your assistant coach to communicate.

"I think it’s something hard because you don’t have the privacy. If you want to speak to the coach privately you don’t have the privacy with it."

As for the diet, he explained: "When we say some player is overweight and we have to do the diet on some players so he banned ketchup and sometimes banned sauce. You eat like dry rice."

But the Frenchman also admitted the diet was a real struggle, adding: "You see like no sauce, you eat your chicken dry. Wow.

"It was hard but as a footballer if you’re happy on the pitch it doesn’t matter what’s going on outside."

Ramos was ultimately sacked in October 2008 after a year in charge. with Chimbonda having already left the club for Sunderland.

However, he would later return under Ramos' replacement Harry Redknapp for a brief second spell.

Across his two stints with Spurs, Chimbonda made 103 appearances, scoring four goals from right-back.

The League Cup triumph remains a highlight for Chimbonda, who added: "When you’re a player, you’re playing to win trophies, titles, you know what I mean and like I said our season was so bad and you know we were 14th I think.

"We weren't playing well, getting battered every time we go play and we were in a final.

"We said ‘let’s give everything, let’s do everything to win,’ because the game before we beat Arsenal 5-1.

"The confidence was there and we go higher to the final and played in the new Wembley as well. Wembley was everything, it was a big, big game and we won the trophy.

"Chelsea at the time was big... but when you play football it’s 11 men against 11 men. No fear.

"That guy doesn’t have anything different than I've got. He’s a man like me. We get everything the same so we go play and we win.

"You know, we were losing 1-0 but we keep believing in ourselves, we keep believing in all the players we’ve got and we did it."

Chimbonda is still currently playing in non-league for 10th tier Skelmersdale United.

King Charles III left Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son in an awkward position during a short exchange between the pair.

The royal was in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium to highlight the club’s partnership with the NFL and its positive socio-economic impact on the local community.

On arrival, the King was greeted by locals before entering the stadium where he met men’s team captain Son and women' s skipper Bethany England.

Although the monarch could only enjoy a short interaction with the South Korean, his line of questioning caused an awkward moment.

Son, accompanied by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was asked about the club’s current plight.

The clip, that has since surfaced on social media, sees the King ask Son: “So who are you playing this weekend then?”

The Tottenham forward replied: “We are going to play against United... Manchester United. On Sunday”.

Charles then asked: “Have you got a good chance?,” to which Son responded with: “I hope so”.

The King probed further asking: “Is the team in good order at the moment?”

A sheepish-looking Son answered: “We are in a difficult moment but we are working hard.”

The hard-to-watch exchange saw Levy broadly smiling in the background as his captain did his best to entertain the King.

Son has been unable to reach his previous heights this season having netted just six goals in 21 Premier League appearances.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have struggled for form in a season hampered by ongoing injuries to key players.

Spurs are on a torrid run of one win in eight Premier League games while recent exits in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup have piled the pressure on Postecoglou.

Tottenham are 14th in the table and a whopping 16 points adrift of fourth placed Chelsea.

Spurs' objectives for the season were to break into the top four and secure a place in next season’s Champions League – something that now appears unlikely.

Their hopes of ending a 17-year wait for silverware now rest on success in the Europa League with Spurs currently the bookies favourites to win the competition.

Success in Bilbao in May would also see Postecoglou’s side claim an unlikely place in next year’s Champions League while the Australian would have kept his vow of winning a trophy in his second season.

If he is to steer Spurs to success this season then he will have to do it the hard way, and that means winning the fans over again.

Sunday’s FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa saw fans display their anger at Postecogolou while chanting for Levy to leave the club.

However, the former Celtic boss will welcome the imminent returns of defensive pairing Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven following injury.

In attack, Postecoglou should soon see summer signing Dominic Solanke return alongside long-term casualty Wilson Odobert.

The key to Spurs’ European hopes and Postecoglou's long-term future lies on whether they can avoid recurring injuries in the business end of the season.

Harry Kane would never leave Bayern Munich to sign for Arsenal.

That's the view of former teammate Aaron Lennon who has first-hand knowledge of Kane’s affection for the north London club.

The England captain is once again showing his worth for Bayern having netted a staggering 29 goals in as many games this season.

His latest goal was the winner in the 2-1 Champions League play-off round victory at Celtic on Wednesday.

Details of Kane’s apparent release fee clause were made available this week with the figure now set at £67million – a fee that could have been activated in the January transfer window.

The news coincides with a potential season-ending injury to Arsenal’s Kai Havertz while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are also out injured.

The triple blow could prove fatal for Arsenal and their outside chance of pipping Liverpool to this season’s Premier League title.

Arsenal’s hopes of bolstering their attack ahead of next season’s assault on the title may prove frustrating with a lack of top-class strikers on the market.

One striker that could be available is Kane, however his affiliation with Spurs could prove to be a stumbling block for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Kane is Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer with 280 goals in 435 games and despite Darren Bent insisting he would like to see Kane at Arsenal, Lennon says there is little chance of it materialising.

“I’m not buying that, not a chance in the world Harry Kane goes to Arsenal,” Lennon told talkSPORT.

“I think he goes to a better club (when he leaves Bayern) or he finishes his career back at Spurs. There’s no chance he goes to Arsenal, can you imagine what that would do? (to the Tottenham fans)”

There is no love lost between Kane and Arsenal. The striker has netted 15 times against his former foes including a penalty at the Emirates in last season’s Champions League quarter-final victory.

If Kane made the controversial decision to move to Arsenal, comparisons would initially be drawn to Sol Campbell’s infamous free transfer from Spurs to Arsenal in 2001.

Even 24 years on from his move across north London, Campbell is still ridiculed by Tottenham fans who were quick to label him with the nickname ‘Judas’.

Lennon saw first hand what it was like to witness Campbell’s return to Tottenham as an Arsenal player, something he describes as hatred.

“I remember playing in a couple of games when Sol came back, they were a couple of my early derbies.” Lennon added.

“I remember being in the warm up and thinking what are these boos that are going on? Big Sol came jogging out and I was like ‘wow’.

“He’s hated like you wouldn’t believe.”

For now, any notion of Kane leaving is merely hypothetical particularly as he remains Bayern’s primary source of goals.

Kane has also expressed his happiness at life in the Bundesliga with his well-documented trophy drought set to finally end.

"What I can say is that I'm very happy at FC Bayern. No comment on the clause,” he told Sky Germany.

Following Wednesday’s win at Celtic, he added: "I think whenever you win a game like this you can always be pleased because it's not an easy place to come.

"There were plenty of areas in the game where we could have done better and need to improve on for next week.

"Overall we scored at the right times; just before and after half-time. Obviously it's a shame to concede a goal but it put us under pressure towards the end so we had to stay strong.

"We did that well and we're happy to take the lead back to our home (Allianz Arena) next week.”

Tottenham are set to be handed a huge injury boost as the club return to Premier League action against Manchester United.

Spurs' hopes of ending their 17-year trophy hoodoo suffered a double blow last week following two cup exits in the space of four days.

Ange Postecoglou's side were dumped out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat - their sixth loss of 2025 from 11 matches.

That ensured the north Londoners have no chance of reaching Wembley this season, having bowed out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals toLiverpool days prior.

Tottenham's incredible injury crisis has compounded the club's misery, but light is thought to be at the end of the tunnel.

A rare highlight from the season was the reverse fixture at the end of September, where Spurs ran out 3-0 winners at Old Trafford.

Another victory this weekend would at least see Postecoglou's men leapfrog the Red Devils in the bottom half of the table.

Tottenham team news

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been out injured since fracturing his ankle in the 4-0 win against Manchester City on November 23.

In the 12 Premier League matches Vicario has missed, Spurs have lost on eight occasions - conceding 24 goals - resulting in them slipping down into 14th spot.

Czech Antonin Kinsky has been deputising in his absence following his arrival in a £12.5million deal at the start of last month.

However, following a clean sheet on his debut, the 21-year-old has started to struggle, with high-profile errors in both cup exits.

Vicario, Destiny Udogie, and James Maddison are all thought to be pushing to be in contention for the visit of Ruben Amorim's team.

Udogie's return could see Djed Spence revert to the right to give Pedro Porro a rare breather, with the Spaniard having tacked up over 2900 minutes already across all competitions.

Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert are also pushing to rejoin training, but the latter pair are not expected to start here.

Dominic Solanke is not thought to be far behind with his recovery from a knee injury but will be absent alongside Richarlison.

Captain Son Heung-min is likely to lead the line, with Bayern Munich loanee Mathys Tel also making his league debut for the club.

Archie Gray may still be required in an unorthodox centre-back role alongside new signing Kevin Danso, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven not rushed back into action and Radu Dragusin a long-term absentee.

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games against Man Utd (W2 D2) and are looking to complete the league double over the Red Devils for the first time since 1989-90.

Manchester United have conceded at least twice in each of their last four Premier League games against Spurs – the last side they conceded multiple goals against in 5+ consecutive league games was Arsenal (5 between 1975 and 1978).

Tottenham have already beaten Manchester United twice in all competitions this season, 3-0 in the Premier League and 4-3 in the League Cup quarter-final. Not since 1989-90 have Spurs beaten Man Utd three times in a single campaign, while the last side overall to defeat the Red Devils three times in a season were Chelsea in 2012-13.

Manchester United team news

The visitors' injury woes have cleared up in recent weeks but their inconsistent performances have left Amorim scratching his head.

Patrick Dorgu made his debut in the 2-1 FA Cup comeback win over Leicester and is expected to be handed his Premier League bow.

Luke Shaw recently suffered a fresh setback in training, with the other player deputising on the left under Amorim, Lisandro Martinez, facing an extended period out of action due to a serious knee injury.

Neither Mason Mount nor Jonny Evans are expected back, with Friday's matchwinner Harry Maguire starting again at the back.

Alejandro Garnacho's lively cameo as a substitute in that game will likely be enough for him to take up one of the No.10 positions.

Amad Diallo will claim the other vacant role behind Joshua Zirkzee following Ramus Hojlund's continued struggles in attack.

After their 2-0 win over Brentford, Tottenham are looking to win back-to-back Premier League games for just the second time this season, previously doing so in September – when their two wins were over Brentford and then Manchester United.

Tottenham are winless in their last seven Premier League home games (D2 L5), their longest such run in the competition since going eight without a win from March to October 2008. Their five defeats in these last seven games are more than they suffered in their previous 17 at home in the league (W13 D0 L4).

Since Ruben Amorim took charge in November, only five sides have picked up fewer points in the Premier League than Manchester United (14). Amorim is only the fourth manager to lose 7+ of his first 13 top-flight games in charge of the Red Devils, along with AH Albut (7), John Chapman (10), and Jimmy Murphy (7).

Tottenham vs Man United: How to follow

This Premier League game is set to take place on Sunday, February 16.

Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is scheduled for 4:30pm.

Sky Sports will be broadcasting the action and details on how to watch on TV or online via Sky Go can be found here.

talkSPORT.com will also have updates throughout via our dedicated live Premier League blog.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is unbeaten in all three of his Premier League games against Manchester United – only three managers have ever remained unbeaten in each of their first four against the Red Devils (Ruud Gullit, Nuno Espírito Santo and Unai Emery).

After his assist for Pape Sarr’s goal against Brentford, Son Heung-min became Tottenham’s outright leading assister in the Premier League (69), overtaking Darren Anderton (68). Son has seven assists in the competition this season, only recording more in a single campaign in 2019-20 (10), 2020-21 (10), and 2023-24 (10).

No player has scored more goals (6) or provided more assists (6) for Manchester United in the Premier League this season than Amad Diallo. However, the Ivorian hasn’t scored or assisted in any of his last three league games, only attempting two shots over this time while creating 10 chances without any leading to a goal.

Tottenham vs Man United: What has been said?

Jamie O'Hara believes Postecoglou's time at Spurs has run its course.

"It's time to go now, Ange is out of his depth. [Unai] Emery is on a different planet compared to him and his players bopped us off the park. Should have been five, we're like reserve team playing in academy games that don't matter, it's crazy," O'Hara wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Postecoglou has declared an agenda against him following the reaction to the club's FA Cup exit.

Pressed on whether he would get given time to turn things around, Postecoglou remarked: "I'm not talking about me.

"People can judge me, they can say I've done a bad job, I'm not up to it or whatever, that's fine.

"What I'm saying is you can't be critical of players and players' performance during this time.

"If you do, then do that with everyone else when they've got nine or ten or 11 players out - none of them have - and for every game.

"I'm not just saying we had to do it today. We've been doing this since the middle of November.

"You can't judge the performance of these players or critique them on what they've done. All they've done is give all they can and that's all you can ask for.

"My responsibility at this club is this group of players and team to get them to play in the manner I want them to that will bring us success.

"Whether people think I can do that or not is for others to judge but there's got to be a better appreciation for what a very small group of players have been doing for the last two and a half months.

"It can't be that people think that is an excuse. That's just not anywhere near close to objective analysis. That's just agenda-driven stuff.

"If it's to get rid of me that's fine, good on you, go for it a million times.

"But in terms of this group of players, what they've given over the last two and a half months has been outstanding.

"It's a credit to them, I can't speak highly enough of them."