Manchester Evening News

How United should line up

There is only really one selection debate here for me, and we'll come to that in a bit. Working from the back, it's a defence that picks itself at the moment. Maguire and Martinez have got an excellent partnership going and Dalot and Shaw are the first-choice full-backs.

It will be interesting to see if Casemiro can play both games this week, but he will definitely start this one, with Mainoo next to him to continue a midfield partnership that has offered a really encouraging balance.

Fernandes is the No.10 and I would stick with a front three of Amad, Mbeumo and Cunha. That is a little harsh on Sesko, but I would tell him he will be needed off the bench and he starts against West Ham.

Read the full view of our writers here

Carrick's academy ambition

If there was concern for the future of the Manchester United academy while Ruben Amorim was in charge at Old Trafford, the club's prestigious record of blooding young players is in safe hands while Michael Carrick is around. Amorim's relationship with the academy wasn't a particularly strong one and his absence from games and sidelining of Kobbie Mainoo invited mistrust.

In three weeks, Carrick has shown a very different approach. He has attended two Under-21 games and an FA Youth Cup tie, and Mainoo has played every minute of his three games in charge.

Mainoo's renaissance has been one of the stories of Carrick's return to the dugout. The jewel in the crown of the United academy, he is set to be offered a long-term contract that reflects his status as a key player in the first team and any concerns that he might have to leave have disappeared.

Read more here

Welcome along

It's matchday! United are the early kick off today and it's a chance to start the weekend with a bang as Michael Carrick aims to continue his perfect start to life as United boss.

Three wins from three games so far have propelled the Reds into the top four and they will aim to keep the momentum going against an injury-ravaged Spurs side who are in the bottom half. Thomas Frank's men did rally from two down to take a point at home to Manchester City last time out but United will be in confident mood given their recent run of results.

Carrick's side have scored eight times in his three games and Spurs' defence is far from watertight so there could be goals in this one.

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When Man United called I was desperate to leave Tottenham – the transfer was a no-brainer

Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League's early kick-off on Saturday

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick faces another of his previous clubs as he aims to continue his perfect record in charge. Tottenham will be keen to ruin the party for their ex-midfielder, who admitted he was "desperate" to leave them to head to Old Trafford as a player.

Carrick is off to a flyer in his second caretaker spell in the dugout. The former England international has secured three victories from three matches so far, having defeated Arsenal, Manchester City and Fulham.

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of Carrick's £18.6million switch to United. The West Ham academy product spent just two years with Spurs before Sir Alex Ferguson took interest and secured a deal for his services.

Carrick was apparently more than willing to play his role in making the transfer happen. In fact, he was so intent on leaving London that there shouldn't be any worries about split loyalties when Tottenham travel to Manchester for Saturday's early kick-off.

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In 2010, Carrick said: "I went to the World Cup with England and information was filtering through that clubs were in contact. Tottenham told me what was happening, but it seemed to drag on and on.

"I was desperate to come. It was a no-brainer for me as soon as I found out United were interested. The first time I spoke to the manager was on the phone when the move was all sorted.

"I've never been so nervous about getting a phone call in my life. I'd heard the rumours about him, and I was scared stiff. That phone call will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Carrick's eagerness to join United turned out to be justified. He became an immediate success at United and achieved a career-high 52 appearances whilst securing the Premier League title in his debut campaign at Old Trafford, before claiming both domestic and European honours in his second season under Ferguson.

He won five Premier League winners' medals during his United career, alongside a Champions League, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and three League Cup victories. He ultimately retired at Old Trafford in 2018, having made a remarkable 464 appearances over 12 seasons with the club.

His impact has continued beyond his playing days. United have appeared a team reborn under his guidance, securing a Manchester derby triumph before claiming two thrilling 3-2 wins over Arsenal and Fulham.

Those latter two results were won through late strikes from Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, the type of dramatic finishes that were fairly typical during the Fergie years. It makes sense that the squad has rediscovered some of that never-say-die spirit under someone who witnessed Ferguson's brilliance first-hand.

United head into Saturday's fixture sitting fourth in the Premier League table, eager to solidify their position in the battle for Champions League qualification. Carrick will undoubtedly feel some empathy for Tottenham, who are struggling to escape 14th place in what has proved a challenging season for Thomas Frank.

Manchester United welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford today hoping to continue their 100 per cent record under Michael Carrick.

Manchester United welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford this afternoon as they look to continue their 100 per cent record under Michael Carrick. In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Carrick confirmed Mason Mount was progressing well with his recovery from injury but this weekend may be too soon for his return.

Long-term absentee Matthijs de Ligt will miss out again. With the Dutchman absent, Carrick will more than likely stick with the centre-back partnership of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez that has worked so well recently. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw can continue in the full back roles.

United will be opening contract talks with Kobbie Mainoo soon. Mainoo's future at Old Trafford was uncertain under Ruben Amorim but he is now an integral part of the United team once again.

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Casemiro will be alongside Mainoo in the centre. The Brazilian is showing the Reds how difficult he will be to replace when he makes his United exit in the summer. United lost an element of control after he was substituted on Sunday and while they managed to wrestle that back, it proved how pivotal Casemiro still is.

Bruno Fernandes is an automatic pick in the No.10 role and while Benjamin Sesko scored the winner on Sunday, Carrick may well stick with Bryan Mbeumo leading the line.

Matheus Cunha has been excellent in recent weeks and with Amad on the opposite flank United have an attack capable of causing any team problems. If Sesko does start on the bench then he deserves to be brought on at some point in the game as he looks to build on his goal last time out.

Manchester United are back in Premier League action against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime

Manchester United youngsters Shea Lacey and Jack Moorhouse are hoping to earn opportunities under Michael Carrick in the final months of the Premier League season. Lacey made his first‑team debut against Aston Villa in December under former manager Ruben Amorim but is yet to feature for Carrick.

This season, the 18-year-old has been on the United bench for eight games, having made bright cameos against Villa, Burnley and Brighton in the FA Cup. Despite being shown a yellow card against Brighton, but was applauded off the pitch by fans.

Lacey, who is highly regarded within the club, is knocking the hardest to get a regular opportunity under Carrick, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. However, with the first‑team squad now in good shape fitness‑wise, it isn't a simple task to fit him in.

Lacey may still find himself on the bench in the coming weeks, but Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko already fill four players competing for just three attacking positions.

In midfield, however, an injury could open the door sooner for Moorhouse, who trained with the first team this week ahead of the Spurs match after returning from his loan at Leyton Orient on deadline day.

Since replacing caretaker Darren Fletcher, Carrick has shown a clear commitment to promoting youth and strengthening his connection with the club's academy.

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He has recalled youngsters such as Habeeb Ogunneye from loan and brought Joe Hugill back into first‑team training.

Carrick has also become a regular presence at youth matches, something Amorim was criticised for neglecting, sending a clear message to academy players that there is a genuine pathway to the senior squad.

"This club needs young players coming through and being the foundation, to understand what it means," Carrick perviously said.

"It's something we need to grasp and keep building on."

United, who have been quiet in the January transfer window, are aiming to secure a European place. The Reds remain unbeaten under Carrick, having won all three of their Premier League games against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham.

De Ligt, Mount, Dorgu - Man United injury latest and possible return dates vs Tottenham

Michael Carrick's Manchester United will target fourth successive win when Tottenham head to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

Manchester United are expected be without at least three first-team players for Saturday lunchtime's Premier League showdown against Tottenham. Michael Carrick's side host Spurs at Old Trafford looking to make it four successive victories after beating Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham.

It's a run of form that has seen United move up to fourth place in the Premier League table, just five points behind third-placed Aston Villa and six adrift of City in second. But the Reds are aware that failure to beat Spurs could see them drop to as low as sixth position with Chelsea and arch rivals Liverpool close behind them.

With Tottenham winless in six top-flight matches, however, United are going to no doubt be confident of securing yet another important victory. This is despite the Reds still having some players not available.

Here, we take a closer look at the United treatment table;

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Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt has missed the last 12 matches due to a back problem. He is not expected to be available to face Tottenham, either, with Carrick confirming that it is "a little bit too soon at the moment."

A return for De Ligt is anticipated at some point in February.

"Matta [De Ligt], he's working his way back, taking good steps and improving," Carrick said on Thursday. "It's a little bit too soon at the moment but, hopefully, it won't be too long [before De Ligt is back]."

Potential return date: Late February 2026

Mason Mount

Mason Mount missed out against Fulham last time out, due to a knock that he suffered in training. The England international is a major doubt to face Tottenham.

"Probably, Mason [will be available] sooner [than De Ligt]," Carrick said on Thursday. "He's not too far away really. We're hopeful it won't be too long."

Potential return date: Tuesday, February 10 - West Ham (A)

Patrick Dorgu

Patrick Dorgu had been in inspired form for United before injuring his hamstring injury against Arsenal - and now the Denmark international is facing at least another two months on the side-lines.

"Pat, unfortunately, he's going to be out for a period of time. We're still working through how long that's going to be," Carrick said last Friday. We'll have to see, it's disappointing, he's had such a big couple of weeks, Pat.

"We weren't sure whether it was a little bit of cramp or whether it was something a little bit more serious and, at the moment, it looks a little bit more on the serious note.

"So, it'll be a few weeks for that. How many weeks? We'll have to wait and see. So, that's disappointing for all of us really, and for Pat, he's in such a good place but, unfortunately, it is part of football and it's something we've got to work through and get him back as soon as we can."

Why is Carrick speaking today?

Those of you who follow our press conference blogs regularly may be wondering why Carrick will be speaking to the media today instead of tomorrow. This is because Friday marks the 67th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster and United will be paying their respects to those who died at Old Trafford tomorrow. Therefore, to avoid a clash with the service, Carrick will be speaking a day earlier.

When will we hear from Carrick?

The United interim head coach will be speaking to the media this afternoon at 2.30pm. An embargo will be set on those quotes until 3pm. Once that lifts, we shall be bringing you everything Carrick has had to say.

Hello!

Good morning and welcome along to the United pre-match press conference blog.

Carrick will be speaking to the media this afternoon to preview the clash with Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime. Spirits in the United camp will be high thanks to that late victory over Fulham on Sunday. The Reds have now won three on the bounce and are keeping pace with Chelsea and Liverpool, who are also challenging for the top four.

Spurs enjoyed an impressive comeback against City at the weekend but Thomas Frank remains a man under pressure and United will hope they can pile some more on him at Old Trafford.

Stay tuned for updates from Carrick's press conference...

Manchester City players spoke to each other in the dressing room at Tottenham after conceding twice in the second half.

Manchester City players focused on the positives in a dressing room inquest after throwing away a two-goal lead at Tottenham Hotspur. Pep Guardiola's side were two goals up at half-time in North London but only left with a point after collapsing in the second half.

Guardiola took issue with the awarding of the first goal after Dominic Solanke kicked Marc Guehi's foot onto the ball to send it into the net, while Erling Haaland was again not given anything when he was held in the box from a corner. However, City only had themselves to blame for losing control of a game that they knew they could and probably should have had won before the break.

"We dominated the game in the first half and it felt like a game of two halves really," said forward Antoine Semenyo. "They started to dominate and created a lot of chances. Personally, you never want to give up a two-goal lead.

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"For me personally, I am frustrated. I think the team are as well. I had a chance and obviously others had chances as well. It’s all part and parcel of the game. We just have to go again."

The result leaves City six points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after the Gunners picked up an impressive 4-0 win at Leeds. It puts the pressure back on the Blues for next weekend; Arsenal can extend their lead to nine points on Saturday by beating Sunderland at home, before City travel to Liverpool on the Sunday - a ground where they have not won in over 20 years in front of a crowd.

Despite that, the players at Tottenham - including Ruben Dias, who travelled down with the group despite not yet being free from injury - spoke at full-time of how much there is still to play for in the Premier League. While it doesn't seem like they can afford many more slips, there is still hope that they can catch Arsenal.

"We’ve just had a meeting in there and everyone is being positive," said Semenyo. "We’ve got 14 games to go so we just have to make sure in those 14 games that we change it around. Anything can happen. They can go and lose two games and we can win two games. Anything can happen. We just have to be as positive as we can be and see what happens."

Frank's welcome

Thomas Frank has just arrived with the Tottenham squad and a child from a hospitality box has shouted down to him that he’s going to get sacked. It can’t be good when even the corporates turn.

That is a fleeting flavour of how unhappy everyone at Spurs seems to be at the moment, and it will be very interesting to see the support from the stands when the game starts.

Title race latest

Arsenal have responded very well to their setback at home to United last weekend. A big home win in the Champions League was followed up by a big win at Leeds, which can be a very tough place to go - City are there at the end of February.

That restores a bit of confidence at the Emirates and puts the pressure back onto City, who are now seven points behind again ahead of their visit to Spurs. If they can still be four points behind the leaders after their trip to Anfield next week they will be very happy given the testing nature of these two games.

Not a happy hunting ground for City

City took nearly five years to win at this stadium but since then they have had far more joy.

Nathan Ake kicked things off in the FA Cup in 2024, there was the famous win a few months later that included Stefan Ortega's late save from Son Heung-min and they even picked up a very creditable victory last season as their campaign showed signs of turning round after their desperate winter.

A, 4-0 home defeat to Spurs stands out as one of their poorest results and performances of the season and will need to be rectified today if City are to build on the momentum of the last two matches.

All the team news

Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are back and available for Man City after sitting out of the Champions League win over Galatasaray. Rodri is also back after missing the midweek win due to suspension.

Jeremy Doku has been ruled out for more than two weeks with a calf injury, meaning at least one change will be made. John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and Savinho are all out.

Hello!

Good afternoon City fans and welcome along to our dedicated matchday blog for Manchester City's Premier League trip to Tottenham.

Pep Guardiola's men will be looking to respond to Arsenal's resounding victory over Leeds United on Saturday. The league leaders are now seven points clear of City, who can retian the four-point gap with victory in north London.

Stay tuned as bring you all the build-up and updates throughout a big day in the Premier League...

Manchester City travel to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Manchester City resume their Premier League campaign this afternoon at Tottenham. The Blues beat Galatasaray in midweek in the Champions League to secure a straight passage into the last-16.

That 2-0 Etihad victory meant Pep Guardiola's side bypassed the play-off round and an extra two fixtures this month. City turn their attention to domestic matters today seeking to keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the table.

The Blues will make changes from midweek with several players missing from Wednesday's win. Gianluigi Donnaruma will continue in goal and Nico O'Reilly could revert to left back despite impressing in midfield against Galatasaray.

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Marc Guehi was ineligible in midweek and will come back into the XI with Abdukodir Khusanov set to partner him. Matheus Nunes will be at right back.

Rodri, suspended for the European encounter, is likely to return and while Nico Gonzalez came off the bench in the win over the Turkish Super Lig outfit, it could be too soon for him to go back into the XI so Tijjani Reijnders could get the nod with Bernardo Silva completing the midfield trio.

Phil Foden is out of form so Rayan Cherki could start in the number 10 role behind Erling Haaland. Antoine Semenyo will surely play with the January signing another who couldn't feature in Europe.

Speaking about the test of facing a struggling Spurs, City assistant boss Pep Lijnders said: "They are quite clear in their plan, Thomas sets them up in a clear way so they can link inside to attack, they can play the ball in behind as well.

"High pressing team, man marking, above everything a good set-piece team so we are really looking forward to this game. We have really concentrate on how we want to play for 95 minutes, to show our mentality and our way and we look forward to go there."