The Sun

THE timing was curious but it was the right call.

He may have seen it differently, but Daniel Levy’s fractious relationship with many Tottenham fans had broken down to the point of no return.

No matter what he did – and he did do a considerable amount for the North Londoners – their view of him had become entrenched and unchangeable.

It meant that every time Spurs had a bad result, or a transfer go awry, as seen by the Eberechi Eze hijack earlier this summer, the finger was instantly pointed to Levy.

The noise would grow to toxic levels – and not just on social media – and risk enveloping the club completely.

Levy’s stewardship, along with that of majority owners ENIC, had thousands of supporters taking to the streets in protest ahead of February’s 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Even when he finally oversaw a second trophy of his 25-year tenure in May with the clinching of the Europa League – 17 years after the first piece of silverware – it was not enough to change hearts and minds.

Levy turned Spurs into genuine powerhouses of English football in his quarter of a century and built one of the greatest football stadiums on the planet.

But his lack of trophies, approach to transfers, poor communication, ticket-pricing stance and flirtation with the failed Super League, meant the alleged negatives outweighed the positives in the minds of many fans.

His trigger-happy nature of hiring and firing 15 permanent bosses irked supporters, too.

Jose Mourinho was axed just days before the 2021 Carabao Cup final, while Ange Postecoglou was dismissed two weeks on from his Europa League triumph.

Neither are expected to rush to wish their condolences to Levy now he too has departed.

My only meeting with Levy came in 2022 during the club’s Far-Eastern tour to Seoul in South Korea, where he joined a group of journalists for a cup of tea for 15 minutes at the club’s plush hotel.

He was perfectly pleasant, if cagey, and you left being none the wiser on his views.

But the view from a vast swathe of supporters on him has been clear for some time.

Levy, the highest-paid director in the Premier League on £3.7million a year, became the lightning rod for all their frustrations, rightly or wrongly.

They had called for his exit long ago and were only going to do it again and again in the coming years.

If the new generation of the Lewis family who are in control of Spurs now are genuine about their vision of the future, it is understandable why they wanted to put that toxicity in the past.

He told Gary Neville just last month that when he’s no longer at Tottenham, “I’m sure I’ll get the credit” for all he has done for the club.

Now that theory will be put to the test after his shock exit three games into the new season.

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DARREN FLETCHER’S teenage son Jack has travelled with Manchester United’s squad to face Tottenham on Saturday.

But Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez were not spotted travelling to London from Stockport station on Friday afternoon.

Jack, 18, stars as a midfielder in United’s Under-21 team and has been linked with breaking into Ruben Amorim‘s squad since August.

The teenager was included in a senior matchday squad for the first time in October 2024 for the match against Brentford.

He was also an unused substitute for games against West Ham and Chelsea in the following weeks.

His twin brother, Tyler, also plays for United’s academy side.

Amorim did not clarify United’s team news at his pre-match press conference.

But Mainoo was missing from the travelling pack, while Martinez returned to full training last week for the first time in nine months.

It comes on the day Mainoo, 20, again missed out on England selection after a lack of minutes.

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The Euro 2024 star has not started a single Premier League game this season, only being named in the XI for the dismal defeat at League Two Grimsby.

Mainoo has played 138 minutes of Prem football from the bench and was an unused sub during United’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest

Mainoo’s absence from the squad will be of concern to the Old Trafford faithful.

The England international wanted to move on to pastures new in the summer.

His desire to leave the Theatre of Dreams was in part due to falling down the pecking order under Amorim.

In January, the Portuguese gaffer claimed he wanted to keep the midfielder on the books.

But Mainoo has only started ONE of United’s eleven games this season.

Despite seemingly being surplus to requirements, Mainoo has been a consummate professional in training.

Amorim has been impressed by the midfielder’s efforts but admits there’s no room for him in his starting XI at this moment in time.

He told beIN Sports: “Every minute we are using to prepare the future with a lot of games and less training.

“We are giving a lot of information, we are working on our fitness because we need to keep momentum during the week with good training, really intense.

I see Kobbie Mainoo training today, and he deserves to play.”

Ruben Amorim on Kobbie Mainoo

“When you have more games you are just concerned about recovery. We suffered a lot from last season.

“People forget we played two and three days all of the time and that was really hard for us.

“But then you have the other side. I see Kobbie Mainoo training today, and he deserves to play, but then I have to take one guy [out] that’s playing really well.

“We should have played in the Carabao Cup, because I need to see Kobbie Mainoo playing, I need to see Josh.

“All of these guys deserve to play, but in the end, it is one more game you need to make choices. So you have both sides.”

Mainoo’s potential absence from the matchday squad could spell the end of an incredible club record.

A player from the club’s academy has featured in each of United’s matchday squads for the last 85 YEARS.

Mainoo ensured that the record was maintained by featuring in United’s last four matchday squads.

TOTTENHAM and Manchester United collide in Saturday’s Premier League showdown in north London.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

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Tottenham vs Man Utd preview

Tottenham return to domestic action following their emphatic 4-0 victory over FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.

Playing midweek is often seen as a disadvantage, but it proved the perfect tonic for Thomas Frank’s side after successive defeats to Newcastle and Chelsea.

Spurs failed to score in either of those losses, producing an xG of just 0.1 – the lowest total recorded by any side this season.

Having returned to winning ways, Tottenham will hope to use that momentum to good effect in this weekend’s clash – and recent history suggests they might just do so.

Spurs completed the Premier League double over Manchester United last season, while the visitors have lost each of their last four meetings with the north London side.

However, Tottenham will need to address their worrying home form if they’re to protect their place in the top six heading into the international break.

No side has lost more home Premier League matches in 2025 than Spurs, with nine defeats, while manager Frank has suffered nine losses in his last 16 league games.

As for Manchester United, their three-game winning run ended at Nottingham Forest last weekend, but a 2-2 draw means they’ve now stretched their unbeaten streak to four matches – their joint-longest under Ruben Amorim.

It also maintained their excellent attacking form.

Only Liverpool (156) have registered more shots in the Premier League this season than Manchester United (153), and no side has had more efforts on target (54). They also boast the third-highest xG in the division – ahead of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Tottenham vs Man Utd preview betting odds

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Tottenham vs Man Utd preview betting tips and predictions

Bookings

We’re backing Tottenham to pick up the most bookings in Saturday’s encounter, available at 11/8 with William Hill.

Thomas Frank’s side haven’t been shy when it comes to discipline this season, collecting 21 yellow cards in 10 Premier League matches – the fourth-highest tally in the division. That’s hardly surprising given they also rank fifth for most fouls conceded.

As for the visitors, only Arsenal have picked up fewer cards than their 12 bookings, while they also sit among the bottom three sides for fouls conceded.

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Contribution

We’re also backing Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes to score or assist in Saturday’s clash, priced at 13/10 with William Hill.

The Portuguese midfielder, 31, has 53 Premier League assists – and since his debut in February 2020, only Mohamed Salah (64) and Kevin De Bruyne (58) have registered more. He’s also provided an assist in each of his last two away games and has created an impressive 28 chances for his teammates so far this season.

When it comes to goals, Fernandes leads this Manchester United side for expected goals (xG) and has five goal contributions in 12 appearances against Spurs.

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SATURDAY lunchtime sees Tottenham and Manchester United clash in the Premier League in north London.

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PREMIER League ace Yves Bissouma had more than £800,000 “stolen” in an alleged fraud from his VIP Coutts bank account.

The £30million Spurs midfielder’s losses occurred between September 2022 and June 2024, The Sun can reveal.

Maurice Gomes, 31, was initially arrested after a report from the player over a year ago.

Metropolitan police confirmed Gomes was charged with two counts of fraud by false representation in October. The maximum sentence for each offence is 10 years.

Bissouma, 29, who banks with Coutts — used by celebs, billionaires and royals — is the alleged victim in both cases.

Court records obtained by The Sun show Gomes is alleged to have “dishonestly” transferred Bissouma’s cash to himself without the Premier League star’s “knowledge or consent”.

Prosecutors claim Gomes was behind allegedly illicit bank transfers totalling £834,334.40 “to make a personal gain”.

The man’s link to Bissouma, said to be paid £50,000-a-week by the North London club, is not known and it is unclear how Gomes could have accessed Bissouma’s account.

The defendant, who lives in a £1.4million, six-bedroom house in Enfield, North London, is due to appear at Highbury Corner magistrates’ court today.

Mali international Bissouma, who signed for Spurs from Brighton in 2022, is likely to have to give evidence if it goes to trial.

A source said: “This has been deeply hurtful for Yves. It’s been a tough year for him on and off the pitch, and this hanging over his head will have contributed to that.”

Bissouma’s £255,000 watch was violently stolen in Cannes in June.

He’s made 100 appearances for Tottenham but has been frozen out since August — and the star was injured seconds after coming off the bench for Mali last month.

Coutts declined to comment.

RUBEN AMORIM has to decide if it’s Sesk-y football he wants at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has played in the front three with Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha in the last two games.

The Red Devils avoided defeat in both of those games, meaning the tactical change somewhat worked.

However, Spurs will pose a different challenge in London.

And on our hit YouTube show Tactics Exposed, in association with Betfair, our in-house tactics man Dean Scoggins suggests it might be time for a change.

TRIPLE M THREAT

Sesko played well against Nottingham Forest and Brighton, linking the attacks positively.

But with Mason Mount back fit, from a tactical perspective, it makes sense to go back to the front three that served Man Utd so well at Anfield in their win over Liverpool.

Mount, Mbuemo and Cunha are more mobile and tactically flexible, plus Mount can do a job on Spurs full-back Pedro Porro in defensive positions.

As much of a threat Sesko is, Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero will be more comfortable with his physical attributes – especially with the deep midfield duo of Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha – than they will with the ball skills of Cunha.

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Mount should start on the left side, with Cunha in the middle and Mbeumo on the right.

Both Mount and Mbeumo can combine well with the wing-backs as well as midfield duo Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.

All three attackers would also provide much more of a threat if Spurs decide to press high, prompting United to play long balls over the top.

NO BORING GAME

Some might be wondering if this game will be just as boring as the Europa League final – which saw Spurs beat United 1-0 – was in May.

However, both teams are a long way different from where they were in May.

Tottenham have changed manager from Ange Postecoglou to Thomas Frank, while Man Utd have changed their attitude and approach to games.

The Red Devils are much more compact this season and less likely to be dragged around the pitch as they were six months ago.

In the Europa League final, Spurs exploited the huge gaps between the centre backs.

But now United are able to control the space better, with the likes of Leny Yoro impressing this campaign.

On the flip side, Tottenham have struggled at home.

They have struggled to break teams down and be quick in possession, which is where Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons will face the pressure.

Spurs just need to go for it against Man Utd in the early stages of the game.

THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER

Questions have been raised over whether Spurs boss Frank will revert to a back three or back five a few times this season.

But even against a United 3-4-3 I think he resists that temptation.

With Destiny Udogie back fit, expect him to get forward in possession anyway and Porro to sit deeper to provide crosses.

If they were to make the formation switch, one player in particular would benefit – Van de Ven.

Should he play on the left side of the three and United lose the ball on the right, that will give the centre-back plenty of space to run into – and he already proved he is more than capable of a moment of magic against Copenhagen earlier this week.

SPURS fans can beat the queues and book a guaranteed seat at the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With a waiting list for season tickets reportedly topping 90,000, getting into a Spurs home game is one of the toughest tickets in town.

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These hot-ticket packages are the real deal, guaranteeing an official match ticket for home supporters.

The £1billion stadium is the best in Britain and features the 17,500-seat South Stand – the iconic home end which is the largest single-tier stand in the UK.

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They are all paired with an Uber voucher to get you to or from the stadium in style.

These packages are the only way for most fans to guarantee their place to see the action live, with massive games against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool all on the list.

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TOTTENHAM’S Destiny Udogie has been named as the Premier League footballer who was allegedly threatened with a gun by his agent.

As first reported in The Sun, the £60million-rated ace was targeted while walking with a pal on a busy London street.

A Tottenham Hotspur spokesperson has now said: “We have been providing support for Destiny and his family since the incident and will continue to do so.

“Given this is a legal matter, we cannot comment any further.”

Cops arrested the agent, 31, after an alleged row with Udogie and a family member on a busy street on September 6.

It is understood the confrontation was sparked after the player chose to no longer work with the agent, as reported by Telegraph Sport.

Police were called to the scene shortly after 11pm and the agent was detained at his home on September 8.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “Police were called at 23.14hrs on Saturday, September 6, to reports a man in his twenties had been threatened with a firearm on Cockfosters Parade, Barnet.

“Officers spoke to the victim and during the course of their investigation it was also reported another man in his twenties had also allegedly been blackmailed and threatened by the same individual.

“No injuries were reported in either incident.

“A 31-year-old man was arrested on Monday, September 8 on suspicion of possession of firearms with intent, blackmail and driving without a licence.

“He has been bailed while enquiries continue.”

A source said previously: “This was a terrifying incident and one which has sent shockwaves through the business side of football.

“The player was understandably shaken up — to have threats made against you with a gun is shocking.

“He reported it right away. It was the right thing to do for his safety.

“He has been supported by his friends and club and they all hope it will not impact his performances.

“But there will be serious questions about why this happened, which the police are now trying to answer.”

Despite the alleged ordeal, Udogie started for Tottenham in Tuesday night’s Champions League game against Copenhagen.

He also played for Spurs a week after the incident against West Ham United.

Udogie moved to Tottenham for around £17.6m from Udinese in 2022 – where he had made 12 appearances for the Italian team.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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MICKY VAN DE VEN scored one of the great solo European goals for Tottenham as Thomas Frank enjoyed his best night in North London.

Fellow left-footer Gareth Bale, a legend in these parts, would have been proud of Van de Ven’s individual brilliance from 70 yards – as he jinked and danced his way past a handful of Copenhagen bystanders.

Having collected the ball from his own half, the rampaging Dutchman ran almost the entire length of the pitch, and then calmly fired home, just like Bale used to do in his pomp more than a decade ago.

It came just days after the defender had been forced to apologise to boss Frank for his petulant reaction following the 1-0 loss to Chelsea, when he marched off without thanking the booing fans.

Little wonder he made a point of cupping a finger behind his ear to the crowd, who were now cheering him to the rafters and not jeering him.

There was certainly no need to apologise for that reaction this time.

It was all a far cry to the bittersweet emotions felt by Johnson, the Europa League hero in Bilbao, who became the first British player to score and also be sent off in the same Champions League tie.

For Tottenham, it was a thrilling second-half display, albeit in front of a lower than normal attendance, which meant they walked off at the end to a standing ovation – a marked cry to what had happened 72 hours earlier.

If the shot-shy Chelsea loss had “hurt” Frank and his team, then this was the perfect response once they had managed to break down a stubborn Copenhagen.

When the Danes lost possession in midfield in the 19th minute, Rodrigo Bentancur pounced and then a Xavi Simons defence-dissecting pass carried just enough weight and timing for the speedy Johnson.

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One touch of Johnson’s right boot cutely took the ball away from the sliding Copenhagen goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski, who made the wrong call to come out.

A second touch saw the Welsh winger slide a shot into the empty net albeit from a difficult and ever-decreasing angle.

It was the least that Spurs deserved and one of the best through balls you will see.

Towards the end of a bitty and disjointed first half, Randal Kolo Muani contrived somehow not to score his first Spurs goal of his loan spell when he fired wide after excellent footwork by Simons.

Most people in the stadium thought he was going to break his duck but the attempt flashed wide, much to his and everyone’s surprise.

Seconds before the half-time whistle was blown, the duo combined again but unmarked Muani wasted a sitter by heading over from a close range.

Muani made up for that by supplying the pass to Wilson Odobert for goal No.2 on 51 minutes after Kotarski had another shocker when was once again caught in no man’s land.

Johnson’s evening got worse on 57 minutes when he caught the ankle of Marcos Lopez and VAR encouraged the Belgian referee Erik Lambrechts to overturn his on-field decision.

The Europa League Final hero was done for “using his studs” and making “a strong unfair contact with the opponent’s left ankle which clearly endangered the safety of his opponent”.

Though they were now down to ten men, this actually galvanised Tottenham and two goals in a four-minute spell sealed a stunning victory and one that could kickstart Frank’s reign.

First, Van de Ven thought he was Bale against Inter Milan at White Hart Lane or the San Siro as he glided past opponents at ease.

The finishing touch came on 67 minutes by substitute Joao Palhinha, who gave Croatian stopper Kotarski perhaps his worst ever match in football.

It could have got even worse for the Scandinavians but Richarlison saw a header crash against the bar with seven minutes left of normal time.

And then after Dane Scarlett was fouled for a penalty, the Brazilian showed his unreliability from 12 yards as his spot-kick hit the crossbar and bounced away.