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Michael Carrick will be looking to maintain his 100% record in his second spell in charge of Manchester United in the Saturday 12:30 GMT kick-off at the expense of his former club Tottenham Hotspur, who are winless in their last six league games.

In Roy Keane's retelling of a Sir Alex Ferguson team talk ahead of a game against Spurs, the Scot reportedly told his players: "Lads, it's Tottenham," and left it at that, such was his confidence. Recently though, things have been less straightforward for the Old Trafford outfit, who will mark the 68th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster before kick-off.

The Red Devils are winless in their past six league games against Spurs (drawn three, lost three), their joint-longest run without a league win against the north London side – and one that extends to eight games in all competitions.

Classy Casemiro back to his best

With no arrivals in the winter transfer window, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro seem almost certain to continue as United's first-choice pairing at the base of midfield, as they have done in Carrick's three consecutive wins.

The Brazilian, who last month confirmed he will leave at the end of the season, has been in fine form recently, opening the scoring with a header in last week's dramatic 3-2 success against Fulham – since his debut in August 2022, no midfielder has scored more headers in the Premier League than Casemiro's seven.

The home side conceded twice when he was replaced by Manuel Ugarte in the second half of that game; astonishingly, they've let in more league goals this season with Ugarte on the pitch than with Casemiro, despite the Uruguayan playing less than half the number of minutes.

A Frank assessment

Tottenham's second-half rally to earn a 2-2 draw against Manchester City last week provided a welcome fillip for head coach Thomas Frank, whose side haven't won in the league this calendar year.

"I think we can create something magic together - the players and the fans - when we are united like we were," Frank purred after that comeback. Spurs' Champions League form has arguably kept him in a job, although the Dane would quite rightly point to the club's ongoing injury crisis as a mitigating factor.

Dominic at the double

One man who is back off the treatment table is Dominic Solanke, who netted both goals to earn a point against City – even if his dubious first effort provoked the ire of Pep Guardiola, who insisted it was a foul.

Solanke has four goals in six games in all competitions since returning from an ankle injury that caused him to miss four months of the season, averaging a goal every 88 minutes. That's the best rate of any Spurs player this season, and notably he has notched five in his last five appearances against Manchester United.

"He's been the best player on the pitch."

On the night Andreas Skov Olsen netted his first Rangers goal, scoring in a win that took the Ibrox side to within three points of the Scottish Premiership summit, it was the winger on the opposite flank who staked his claim to become a guaranteed starter in Danny Rohl's side.

In the aftermath of Sunday's goalless draw at Hibernian, Rangers' lack of creativity from open play came into focus again.

Teenage Mikey Moore, signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, was the only bright spark in Rohl's attack during a blunt display in Leith.

It was a cameo that had sections of the Rangers support questioning why the 18-year-old had not started, but he was presented that opportunity against Kilmarnock three days later.

Within three minutes, the teenager had perfectly threaded a pass through for Djeidi Gassama to win a spot-kick, resulting in an early red card for the visitors and a goal from captain James Tavernier.

Terrorising the Kilmarnock defence throughout, the Spurs youngster then registered a second-half assist for Skov Olsen before capping off a sublime performance with a goal that proved to be the final kick of a thumping 5-1 win.

"It's what he deserves," former Rangers striker Steven Naismith said after Moore's left-foot strike hit the far corner.

A goal, an assist and five chances created.

That alone tells the story of a busy night for Moore, whose midweek appearance at Ibrox was just his 13th league start of the season.

The forward is building a promising relationship on the Rangers left with full-back Jayden Meghoma, while Rohl can also be encouraged with how he combined with winter signings Skov Olsen and Tuur Rommens during their exciting cameos.

However, former Rangers forward Rory Loy was particularly impressed with the youngster's movement.

Driving to the byeline, jinking in off the left, and also finding himself space in central areas, Loy described Moore's movement as "nothing short of sensational".

Speaking on BBC Sportsound, he added: "Two or three passes before he gets the ball, defenders don't know where he is.

"It's been a masterclass in how to receive the ball in tight areas. He can go both ways, which keeps defenders guessing."

Fellow BBC Scotland pundit Naismith added: "He's so direct, he's confident, he's going at [the Kilmarnock defence] and he's enjoying himself out there."

Heart of Midlothian manager Derek McInnes believes James Wilson has made a mistake by joining Tottenham Hotspur on loan in a deal that could be made permanent at the end of the season.

Arsenal were in talks with the Scottish Premiership leaders over a move for the 18-year-old but the Scotland striker joined Spurs instead.

Wilson, who became the youngest man to represent Scotland when he came on in their Nations League play-off tie against Greece last March, will play for Spurs' Under-21s side.

He has scored eight goals in 45 appearances since making his Hearts breakthrough last season but he has struggled for game time this term.

"James wanted to go, so you don't want to keep a player who then becomes unhappy," said McInnes.

"I couldn't guarantee him minutes, such is the way it's been. I told him and his agent that our preference was to stay, fight for his place, be part of something.

"We'd get him a loan in Scotland if need be, to top his minutes up, and we can maybe recall him - still get the best of both worlds.

Tottenham midfielder George Abbott says he is excited to get another shot at League One with Mansfield Town after his stay with Wycombe Wanderers was cut short by injury earlier in the season.

Abbott, 20, returns to Nottinghamshire for a spell with the Stags following a successful period in League Two with Notts County in 2025, during which he scored the English Football League goal of the season.

In an interview with BBC Radio Nottingham, Tottenham's former Under-21 captain described the East Midlands as "a nice place to come back to" as he again tries to step up a division.

"I'm excited for it," he said. "I had an injury prior, so I just wanted to get back on to the pitch.

"When Mansfield came in for me, I thought it was a no-brainer."

Abbott has fond memories of his time with Stags' near neighbours Notts, marking his time there as "a good introduction to men's football" after coming through the youth-team ranks at Tottenham.

"Now coming to Mansfield in League One, and Wycombe earlier this season, I just keep stepping up and building up till hopefully I can play higher up, it's a really good stepping stone," said Abbott.

I watched the Tottenham v Manchester City draw, mostly with my mouth wide open in the second half as an abject Spurs, from nowhere, dominated City. My chin was on the floor for Dominic Solanke's genius equalising scorpion kick. However, my shock had also yet to recede following Spurs' opener.

It initially looked a good goal. Then the replay showed clearly from one angle, that Solanke had not kicked the ball, he had kicked Marc Guehi's foot onto the ball, which then put the ball in the net.

There is this rule in football which you might be aware of, you are not allowed to kick an opponent, you are supposed to kick the ball. Somehow the VAR thought it perfectly acceptable - what?!

Then an array of pundits, well the ones who spotted it, started to agree it was a perfectly good goal. I must admit I began to wonder if I was missing something, but I looked again and no.

Yes, strikers put their foot in between a defender and the ball to take a hit to win a penalty sometimes, but that is totally different.

On those occasions the forward initiates the contact deliberately. Guehi was going for the ball and got to it ball first. Allowing the goal may well be my least favourite VAR moment of the season, and that is saying something.

Man Utd are winless in their last six league games against Tottenham Hotspur (D3 L3), their joint-longest ever run without a win against them (also 6 between 1914 and 1921).

Tottenham won this exact fixture 3-0 last season – only once have they won consecutive away games against Man Utd in the Premier League, doing so in January 2014.

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Manchester United in all competitions (W5 D3). It’s their longest ever run without defeat against them, while in the 21st century only Chelsea have gone longer against the Red Devils (12 between 2012 and 2017).

Manchester United are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games (W4 D3) and have won all three since Michael Carrick returned as manager. The Red Devils last won four in a row in February 2024 under Erik ten Hag, while they last had a longer run without defeat in February 2022 (8 under Ralf Rangnick).

Tottenham are winless in their last six Premier League games (D4 L2), their longest run since their last seven in 2024-25. However, five of Spurs’ seven league wins this season have come away from home.

Manchester United are unbeaten in all nine of their Premier League games this season when they have less possession than their opponents (W7 D2), winning all seven when having less than 45%. They’ve won just four of their 15 league games when having over 50% of the ball (D6 L5).

Only bottom two sides Burnley (23) and Wolves (21) have conceded more first half goals than Tottenham (18) in the Premier League this season. Spurs are winless in all 10 of their league games when behind at the break this term (D3 L7) and are unbeaten in all six when leading at half-time (W5 D1).

Bruno Fernandes has more assists than any other Premier League player this season, with his 12 also his joint-best tally in a single campaign (level with 2020-21). The last Manchester United player to provide more was Antonio Valencia in 2011-12 (13).

Dominic Solanke – who scored twice against Man City last time out – has scored five goals in his last five appearances against Manchester United in all competitions. He’s averaging a goal every 88 minutes in all competitions this season, the best rate of any Spurs player.

Matheus Cunha has been involved in four goals in his last five Premier League games (3 goals, 1 assist), as many as in his first 16 appearances for Manchester United (3 goals, 1 assist).

Tottenham have signed teenage striker James Wilson on loan from Hearts in a deal that includes an option to buy at the end of the season.

Arsenal were in talks with the Scottish Premiership leaders over a move for the 18-year-old - in a deal that was effectively a six-month trial.

Wilson has been around Hearts for a number of years and there was considerable interest from Leeds, before he signed his first professional contract just after his 16th birthday.

Although he played a number of matches for Hearts 'B', he has been training with the first team for the vast majority of his professional career.

Wilson scored six goals in 33 appearances last season, but has struggled to force his way into the line-up in this campaign thanks to the excellent form of Hearts' strikers.

He already has one Scotland cap to his name having been introduced to the squad by Steve Clarke last year.

James has twin brothers, Alfie and Stanley, who are also youth players at Tynecastle.

Captain Cristian Romero says it was "disgraceful" Tottenham had just 11 senior players available for Sunday's 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City.

Spurs have lost nine players to injury in 2026, sold last season's top scorer Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace and only brought in two senior signings in the January window.

It is the second time in recent weeks Romero has spoken out on social media, writing in a now-altered post in January that members of the club's hierarchy "only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies".

"Great effort from all my team-mates yesterday, they were incredible," Romero, who had to withdraw with an illness during the 2-2 stalemate, wrote in a post on Instagram on Monday.

"I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn't feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available - unbelievable but true and disgraceful.

"We'll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that's left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans."

Spurs signed Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid and 19-year-old Brazilian defender Souza from Santos in the January window.

They added 18-year-old Hearts forward James Wilson on loan on transfer deadline day, but he will be part of their under-21s squad.

In response to Romero's post last month, manager Thomas Frank said the 27-year-old Argentina centre-back should keep some things "internal".

Tottenham wanted to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo in January but he joined Manchester City instead, with Frank saying on Friday the club "did everything" they could.

"The fans just want the best for the club, just like I, the owners, the staff, the players. Everyone wants the best for the club," added the Dane.

"But the transfer window is not Football Manager, unfortunately. It is not. It would be a lot easier, but also a little bit more boring."

Spurs, who won the Europa League last term, are currently 14th in the Premier League and sit closer to the drop zone than the European qualification places, although they have made it to the last 16 of the Champions League.

People might not agree with me, but I think Conor Gallagher to Tottenham will be seen as a success. I think they needed leaders in that squad and he's certainly one of those.

I think it's unfortunate for them that they couldn't get the Andy Robertson deal over the line. They've been crying out for a player like that for a while.

But I think the Gallagher deal will be a successful deal because I think he's an excellent player.

Cardiff City Under-21s have completed the permanent signings of forward Herbie James from Tottenham Hotspur and midfielder Isaac Davies from Nottingham Forest.

James, 19, is formerly of the Manchester City academy, while 18-year-old Davies is a Wales youth international.

"I'm so excited by this opportunity," said James. "More than anything I'm hungry to make an impact, to represent the city and meet the fans. Sometimes you get that gut feeling and it feels right.

"The goal is to get momentum between now and the end of the season. There's so much that I can learn. Once I'm in the environment it's game mode and being fully focused, with the aim to get involved with the first team squad.

"I always look to excite and get people watching on their feet. The game is about scoring goals, and I live for those moments."

Davies said: "I'm buzzing to be here. I know how big this club is and this city, being a one-club city is massive. I know a few of the boys here already so as soon as the offer came in, I knew I couldn't wait to get started.

"My strengths are playing on the ball, passing and breaking lines and, when I've spoken to staff here, they've said that's what they want to do, so I feel like I can add some value to the side.

"I've walked around Cardiff City Stadium and it's an amazing stadium. I can't wait to have the chance to play here. You've got loads of young players coming through so it's a good time to be joining the club."