Inside Futbol

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Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United

Competition: Premier League

Kick-off: 12:30 UK time

Thomas Frank has named his Tottenham Hotspur lineup to welcome Manchester United to north London in the Premier League this afternoon.

Frank watched his side crush FC Copenhagen 4-0 in the Champions League in midweek, but there are still question marks about Spurs’ recent domestic performances.

They were comfortably knocked out of the EFL Cup by Newcastle United and produced a poor display in a league loss to Chelsea.

One former Spurs player has suggested Brennan Johnson needs to work on the defensive side of his game, though there have also been encouraging signs from Randal Kolo Muani.

Now there is another big test for Frank’s new-look Tottenham as Champions League spot rivals Manchester United arrive in town, with the Spurs boss feeling they are getting better.

Ruben Amorim’s side played out a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest in their last match to stretch an unbeaten run to four games, marking real progress for the Red Devils.

Manchester United’s recent record against Spurs though is nothing less than shocking and Tottenham have won five of the last seven encounters, drawing the other two.

Tottenham have Guglielmo Vicario between the sticks this afternoon, while in defence, Frank plays a back four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence.

The midfield engine room is likely to be a key battleground and Tottenham play Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr, while Xavi Simons adds creativity.

Richarlison, Brennan Johnson and Randal Kolo Muani lead the attack.

If Frank needs to try to influence the game during the 90 minutes with his substitutes then he has options to call for and they include Mathys Tel and Destiny Udogie.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Manchester United

Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Palhinha, Sarr, Simons, Johnson, Richarlison, Kolo Muani

Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Tel, Udogie, Odobert, Bentancur, Scarlett, Akhamrich, Rowswell

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Danny Murphy is keen to see Micky van de Ven go forward more as he feels he has goals in his locker and floated the possibility he could play at left-back.

The defender scored a wonderful solo goal after running out from the back to give ten-man Tottenham a three-goal lead against FC Copenhagen in the 64th minute on Tuesday night.

Spurs eventually won the match 4-0 to keep themselves well in contention to book their spot in the next phase of the Champions League and ease some pressure on Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who came in for criticism following their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

Murphy was more than impressed by the performance of the Dutch defender, who he feels has got the attributes in his locker to play attacking football and go forward.

However, he cautioned that doing it against better opposition could sometimes lead to Tottenham being exposed.

“He has just got that type of attribute in his locker, he has got the pace and the willingness to run with he ball”, Murphy said on talkSPORT (4th November, 22:05).

“Sometimes it can cause you problems if you are against better opposition.

“[Against] Chelsea – he tried to take on [Moises] Caicedo, doing a similar thing on the edge of the box that he did there tonight before he got the goal.

Club Years Volendam 2019-2021 Wolfsburg 2021-2023 Tottenham Hotspur 2023- Micky van de Ven’s career history

“So, if you are comparing it, he is a bit of a risk taker. He is that type of a centre-half.”

Murphy admits he wants to see the Dutchman more involved in Tottenham’s attacking play and floated the idea that Van de Ven could play at left-back, where he thinks he would make life tough for opposition wingers.

“I would like to see him go forward more.

“I know he has played left-back for his country on occasions as well, probably because the manager has seen that positive in it.

“Imagine trying to play against him as a winger when he is flying past you as a left-back.”

During Ange Postecoglou’s spell as boss, Van de Ven admitted he liked the attacking set-up preferred by the Australian.

Van de Ven had his partner, Cristian Romero, beside him in the Tottenham defence against Copenhagen.

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Danny Murphy thinks Tottenham Hotspur attacker Brennan Johnson needs to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to the defensive side of his game.

A blot on an otherwise perfect night for Tottenham against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, as Spurs won 4-0 on home turf, was the winger’s red card in the 57th minute.

He was guilty of a late tackle on a Copenhagen player and was shown a straight red card for having used his studs.

Murphy feels that the 24-year-old was a little bit unlucky to be dismissed in the game, but admits he has been concerned about more reactive than proactive defensive work from Johnson.

The former Tottenham star is keen not to label Johnson as lazy, but wants to see him address the defensive side of his game.

“I think he was a bit of unlucky with the sending off, if I am honest”, Murphy said on talkSPORT (4th November, 22:09).

“But I did talk about his reactionary defensive work too often in games I have seen.

Club Years Nottingham Forest 2019-2023 Lincoln City (loan) 2020-2021 Tottenham Hotspur 2023- Brennan Johnson’s career history

“He is not lazy but a lot of his defensive work is reacting to stuff rather than being proactive, so he finds himself chasing people a lot and really struggling to get back into situations, so he is diving in and lunging in.

“It is something he needs to work on.”

The focus of the Tottenham coaching staff is likely to be more on what Johnson adds going forward than defensively, but Thomas Frank is sure to want to see the 24-year-old improve his defensive work.

Ange Postecoglou stressed during his time in charge of Tottenham that he felt Johnson had a lot of growth left in him as a player.

Johnson has scored four goals so far for Tottenham this season, having featured in 16 games, and will be looking to add to that number in the coming weeks.

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Randal Kolo Muani ‘could be a player’ for Tottenham Hotspur, former Spurs star Danny Murphy feels, after he watched the on loan striker in action against FC Copenhagen.

Tottenham managed to beat off competition from other clubs, including Juventus, to sign Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain on loan in the summer.

Kolo Muani was bright on Tuesday night against Copenhagen and though he was not able to add to the scoresheet, he contributed towards Wilson Odobert’s second goal as Tottenham beat the visitors 4-0 to make progress in the Champions League.

Murphy, who saw Kolo Muani at close quarters on the night, was impressed with the striker and insisted that some missed chances were not a true reflection of him, explaining Tottenham may have a player.

“You see a couple of really poor misses from Muani and that doesn’t do his performance justice”, Murphy said on talkSPORT (5th November, 22:06).

“He could be a player for Tottenham.”

Tottenham currently have their main striker, Dominic Solanke, out through injury, which has been causing problems for them in the forward areas.

With Kolo Muani stepping up, Murphy feels that their issues in attack could soon be solved.

Game Competition Manchester United (H) Premier League Arsenal (A) Premier League Paris Saint-Germain (A) Champions League Next three Tottenham Hotspur fixtures

“I know they have got some problems up-front at the minute, but he is getting fitter and stronger and he was an absolute handful.

“He looks a decent player.”

While Kolo Muani is showing glimpses of being able to make a real impact for Tottenham this season, there has been renewed focus on another summer signing in the shape of Xavi Simons.

One former Netherlands star recently suggested that Simons runs too much with the ball and is easily dispossessed.

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Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs FC Copenhagen

Competition: Champions League

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Thomas Frank has selected his Tottenham lineup to welcome Danish side FC Copenhagen to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Champions League this evening.

Spurs were beaten by rivals Chelsea in the Premier League at the weekend and put in a poor performance in front of their fans.

They have now lost back to back games, also exiting the EFL Cup away at Newcastle United with a meek display.

Frank will know how important getting back on track tonight will be, especially as Manchester United are Spurs’ next league opponents at the weekend.

Tottenham do start as firm favourites to see off Copenhagen, who were thrashed 4-2 at home by Borussia Dortmund in their last Champions League outing.

The Danes have lost two and drawn one of their three Champions League league phases clashes so far, including a 2-0 defeat on the road at Qarabag.

In goal for Tottenham this evening is Guglielmo Vicario, while at the back Frank goes with Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.

In midfield tonight for Spurs is Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr, while Xavi Simons will look to create for Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson and Randal Kolo Muani.

If Frank needs to try to influence the game from the bench or replace tired legs then he has options to turn to and they include Richarlison and Djed Spence.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs FC Copenhagen

Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Sarr, Simons, Odobert, Johnson, Kolo Muani

Substitutes: Kinsky, Austin, Danso, Palhinha, Richarlison, Spence, Scarlett, Kyerematen, Akhamrich, Rowswell

Lewis Storey/Getty Images

Former Netherlands winger Rene van der Gijp thinks that Tottenham Hotspur new boy Xavi Simons just runs with the ball too much.

The north London club looked at signing a quality creative force in the summer transfer window, as the likes of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are out injured.

England international Eberechi Eze was their first choice, but he decided to go to their arch-rivals Arsenal, and quickly after that move, Spurs went for Simons, who was at RB Leipzig.

Tottenham paid a hefty £51.8m for the 22-year-old Dutchman, who spent time at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in his youth days.

Simons started at Spurs with an assist against West Ham United in September, but since then, he is yet to contribute to any goals in all competitions.

Ex-Dutch winger Van der Gijp thinks that the clear issue with Simons is that he is running with the ball too much during games.

Van der Gijp believes Premier League defenders have worked out they can easily pick his pocket when he is running with the ball.

Club Paris Saint-Germain PSV Eindhoven RB Leipzig Tottenham Hotspur Clubs Xavi Simons has played for

“He just runs too much with the ball”, the 64-year-old was quoted as saying by Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur.

“Opponents have said, as soon as he starts running with the ball, just run into him. Done.”

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank admitted recently that even though Simons is adapting quickly to life in the Premier League, he will need to up his intensity.

Frank’s side were beaten at home by Chelsea at the weekend and Simons came on as an early substitute, then himself being replaced later in the game by Wilson Odobert.

Tottenham will need Simons to step up in the coming weeks as they bid to make sure they stay near the top of the Premier League table.

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Fixture: Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: EFL Cup

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Tottenham Hotspur have officially named their starting lineup and substitutes to take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the EFL Cup tonight.

Spurs did win a trophy last term, in the shape of the Europa League, but with that off the table, many will feel a domestic cup would be their best bet to win silverware in back to back seasons.

Boss Thomas Frank insisted at the weekend that he does not see Tottenham as title challengers, something which backs up the importance of the domestic cups.

Progressing in the EFL Cup though will be a tough task, with Newcastle away a difficult assignment for Frank and his men.

That is something that Spurs defender Micky van de Ven appreciates and he has pulled no punches on how tough tonight will be. – Van de Ven is on the bench this evening.

Tottenham head into tonight’s game on the back of a comfortable 3-0 win away at Everton in the Premier League at the weekend.

Between the sticks for Spurs tonight is Antonin Kinsky, while Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Joao Palhinha and Djed Spence form the back four.

Whoever wins the midfield battle will have one foot in the next round and Tottenham go with Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur to give them the edge, while Brennan Johnson, Xavi Simons and Richarlison will pose an attacking threat.

Frank has quality on the bench to call for if needed and his options tonight include Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Newcastle United

Kinsky, Porro, Danso, Palhinha, Spence, Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall, Simons, Johnson, Richarlison

Substitutes: Austin, Gunter, Tel, Kudus, Van de Ven, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Olusesi, Rowswell

Carl Recine/Getty Images

Fixture: Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: EFL Cup

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Eddie Howe has picked his Newcastle United side and substitutes to welcome Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur to St James’ Park this evening.

The Magpies won the EFL Cup last season in what was a famous achievement that delighted the faithful and Howe will be determined to progress under the lights tonight.

Newcastle grabbed a much needed 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League at the weekend and victory this evening would mean three wins on the bounce across all competitions.

During the win over Fulham, defender Sven Botman was forced off with a head injury, but it was later confirmed it was not a concussion. – he is on the bench tonight.

Howe has admitted the competition means a lot to Newcastle, but in Tottenham, they have a hugely tough test to overcome.

Newcastle did beat Tottenham both home and away in the Premier League last term however, which will give them further encouragement.

In goal for Newcastle tonight is summer signing Aaron Ramsdale, while at the back, Emil Kraft, Fabian Schar, Malick Thiaw and Dan Burn line up and will look to keep things tight.

In the engine room, Howe looks towards Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey to dominate the ball, while Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes support Nick Woltemade in the final third.

If changes are needed to try to shake things up against Spurs tonight then the Newcastle boss has a host of options on the bench to call for and they include Lewis Miley and Joelinton.

Newcastle UnitedLineup vs Tottenham Hotspur

Ramsdale; Krafth, Schar, Thiaw, Burn; Willock, Tonali, Ramsey; Elanga, Barnes; Woltemade

Substitutes: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Joelinton, Gordon, Osula, Murphy, Guimaraes, Miley

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has defended Tottenham Hotspur loan star Mikey Moore amidst criticism and has insisted that the forward has looked brighter in the last couple of games.

The 18-year-old has continued to get game time at Ibrox, even if off the bench, irrespective of the managerial merry-go-round they have been going through.

Moore though has not lived up to his billing and there have been questions over why he is getting selected over one of the club’s own in Findlay Curtis.

Ross McCormack recently suggested that Moore has shown nothing to be picked ahead of Curtis and he would trust the Rangers talent.

Now it is for Danny Rohl to decide how much game time the Tottenham talent gets over the coming months.

For Ferguson, Moore needs to be cut some slack due to the fact he is just 18 years old.

The Rangers legend also thinks in Rohl’s two games so far, against Brann and Kilmarnock, Moore has looked brighter, which is an encouraging sign.

Loanee Max Aarons Nasser Djiga Derek Cornelius Jayden Meghoma Mikey Moore Players on loan at Rangers

“In the last couple of games he has come on, he has looked brighter”, Ferguson said on the Go Radio football show (1.32.40).

“There has been a lot made of him, you have to remember he is still only 18 as well.

“I would like to see our own homegrown players get the opportunity.

“But he definitely showed signs where he was desperate to make an impact.

“And he certainly made an impact when he came on, the young man.”

With Rangers going through a difficult moment and having huge matches ahead, all eyes will be on how much Rohl trusts Moore to deliver.

In 13 matches he has played for Rangers, the Tottenham loanee has helped set up two goals, but is yet to open his goalscoring account for the Gers.

Tottenham will be keeping a close eye on what happens with Moore and could potentially look to bring him back in January if they are unhappy with his situation north of the border.

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Ross McCormack has not seen anything from Tottenham Hotspur‘s Mikey Moore to suggest Rangers should be giving him game time ahead of Findlay Curtis.

The Gers snapped up the Tottenham academy graduate on loan in the summer in what was considered to be a coup and have given him more than a few opportunities to make his presence felt.

Despite poor performances, Moore continued the get the nod under Russell Martin and former Ger Andy Halliday suggested the possibility of Rangers having to pay Tottenham more if they failed to play him in a certain number of games.

Now Danny Rohl is at the helm and the question is again raised about just how much game time Moore will get.

There have been calls for Rangers to play their own talent, Curtis, instead of Moore when the chance arises.

McCormack insists he could understand Moore getting picked if he was turning on the style for Rangers, but that is not the case and Curtis should play.

“I have been saying for a while that I would like to see him get some game time”, McCormack said about Curtis on Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard (2.18.41).

Loanee Max Aarons Nasser Djiga Derek Cornelius Jayden Meghoma Mikey Moore Players on loan at Rangers

“Because I can understand if he is not getting game time because someone like Mikey Moore has come up and he is ripping the place up, he is looking unbelievable.

“But for me, Mikey Moore hasn’t shown me anything that tells me that Rangers should be developing a young Spurs player rather than developing their own in the shape of Findlay Curtis.

“So, I would love to see Findlay Curtis get some minutes.”

Curtis has so far played only 42 Scottish Premiership minutes, while Moore has enjoyed 283 minutes in the Scottish top flight.

The Rangers talent has also got a goal to his name for his exploits on the pitch, while Moore is yet to open his account.

Rohl played Moore for the second 45 minutes in the 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Sunday, though Curtis remained an unused substitute.