Tottenham dealt new Europa League final injury scare as Man United thrown another curveball
All the latest Manchester United news as Ruben Amorim's side prepare to return to Bilbao for the Europa League final against Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt an injury scare ahead of the UEFA Europa League final. Manchester United will lock horns with the Lilywhites at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday night, with a piece of silverware up for grabs.
Pape Matar Sarr was prematurely substituted during Spurs' clash against Aston Villa on Friday night, sparking concern that he's picked up a knock. Rather than seating himself on the bench, the 22-year-old midfielder was ushered down the tunnel by a member of the Tottenham medical staff.
Yves Bissouma replaced Sarr shortly after the break and, just moments later, Ezri Konsa fired Aston Villa into the lead. The 27-year-old defender latched onto a loose ball in the six-yard box following a deep corner, hooking it past Antonín Kinský.
Rooted to the spot, Bissouma was nutmegged by the strike. Sarr could join a long list of injured players at Tottenham ahead of the Europa League final; Dejan Kulusevski recently suffered a knee injury, which required surgery.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the trip to Villa Park, Ange Postecoglou announced the setback. The Tottenham boss said: "Disappointing news. Initially, we thought it wasn’t too serious.
"The medical team were worried structurally about how the knee was, but it blew up the day after, and we knew there was an issue there. He has had surgery, and it will put him out for at least a few months."
On whether he'll be fit for the start of next season, Postecoglou added: "We will see. To be honest, I have only got basic information at the moment in terms of recovery but it will certainly put him out for a while."
Meanwhile, Lucas Bergvall is nursing an ankle injury. On whether the 19-year-old midfielder has made a 'miraculous recovery', Postecoglou said: "No, it is still the same sort of timeframe.
"He was never a long-term one, but he has literally just got out of the boot and taken his first tentative steps on the grass, but he won’t be available [for the Villa clash on Friday]."
On whether the flurry of injuries has affected morale ahead of the United clash next week, Postecoglou said: "Look, I guess because it’s been a constant with us during the year, we’ve kind of become almost accustomed to it.
"It would probably be a bigger issue if we had a smooth run all year and got hit with injuries now and deal with missing key players, but we’ve pretty much been without key players all season.
"There hasn’t been a time where we had a three or four week spell with our strongest line-up, so the boys are getting on with it. They’re disappointed for the people involved and Deki being the latest one because he had a fantastic first part of the year for us and was just working his way back into it.
"At the same time as I keep saying to the group all along, you can’t pick and choose when these opportunities come along. There could be other years where we don’t have these disruptions and injuries, but we don’t get to a final.
"The reality of it is now the opportunity is there and whatever happens between now and then, we’ve got to make sure we’re ready for it..."
Another injury to a Tottenham player could throw a spanner in the United works ahead of the Europa League final. Ruben Amorim may find it difficult predict Spurs' lineup, thus complicating his own preparation.
