Metro.co.uk

Tottenham have been handed yet another injury headache ahead of their Europa Leage final showdown with Manchester United after Pape Matar Sarr was forced off injured against Aston Villa.

Spurs were in action against Aston Villa on Friday night with Unai Emery’s side sealing a 2-0 win to keep their hopes of Champions League qualification alive on the same night Chelsea beat Manchester United.

Ange Postecoglou made a number of changes with next week’s trip to Bilbao in mind with Yves Bissouma, Brennan Johnson, Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke among those rested.

Centre-halves Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were left out of the squad altogether.

Sarr was among those to start but was replaced after 53 minutes, gingerly walking straight down the tunnel at Villa Park.

The 22-year-old midfielder will now face a race to recover in time for Wednesday’s final – although Postecoglou did offer hope post-match by suggesting the change was a precautionary one.

‘Pape felt something in his back, so we took him off as a bit of a precaution,’ Postecoglou said.

‘I don’t think it’s anything too significant, speaking to him afterwards but he just felt something in his back.’

Postecoglou added: ‘I think Mikey [Moore, who went down in the second half] was okay. It was fatigue as much as anything else. He hasn’t played that sort of amount of minutes before.’

Spurs are already without three key midfield options in James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski – with Tottenham confirming the latter has undergone knee surgery this week.

Heung-Min Son meanwhile was back in the starting line-up for the first time since the first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt in April having recovered from a foot injury.

The South Korean also appeared off the bench against Crystal Palace last weekend with Postecoglou confident he will be ‘good shape’ for next week’s final.

‘It’s good to have him back and involved,’ the Tottenham manager said.

‘I’m sure he feels better for that run out, as well, having a decent hit out. Hopefully, that puts in him good shape for the final.’

Arrow MORE: Mohamed Salah hits back at ‘harsh’ Liverpool fans for booing Trent Alexander-Arnold

Arrow MORE: What is DAMAC? The new Chelsea shirt sponsor explained

Ruben Amorim says Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Matthijs de Ligt ‘have a possibility’ of featuring in Manchester United’s Europa League final against Tottenham.

All three defenders, plus young centre-back Ayden Heaven, were absent from United’s training session this morning, just two days out from the side’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Dalot was, though, pictured doing individual work away from the main group, with the Portuguese full-back desperate to work his way back to full fitness from a calf injury.

Perhaps the most pressing concern amongst United fans is Yoro, who appeared close to tears as he limped off the pitch with a foot problem in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham.

The young Frenchman had hit a rich vein of form, but was forced off in the 52nd minute at Old Trafford and is now in a race against time to be available for United’s all-important final versus Spurs on May 21.

Asked for an update on United’s four missing defenders this afternoon, Amorim told reporters: ‘I don’t know if they are going to be available.

‘We are trying to push because it’s the final matches and it’s a final, you know that. All the players want to play that really bad.’

The United head coach all but confirmed that the injured quartet would play no part at Stamford Bridge on Friday.

‘I don’t know. I think they will not go to Chelsea,’ he added.

‘But we will have a possibility to have some of them in the final.’

Having sat out United’s last five matches in all competitions, Dalot is ‘working really hard’ to be in contention to start in Bilbao.

Amorim explained: ‘Dalot is trying really bad. I don’t want to risk Dalot because when you start getting one injury, second injury and then it’s a big thing.

‘We cannot have these kind of problems in our squad.

‘We’ll see but he’s working really hard to get in the final.’

According to Amorim, there is a real sense of anticipation and ‘excitement’ building amongst the group heading into next week’s showdown in Spain.

‘A final is different. But this season has been really tough on everybody; the results and the changing in the staff. You can feel it,’ the Portuguese said.

‘We are addressing that during the season, we are changing the way we play during the season, so the environment is tough.

‘But I guarantee you when we are playing a game in the Europa League the environment is different and you can feel the excitement.’

Asked if the Europa League or Champions League qualification is more important, Amorim replied: ‘Personally, for me, I think the Champions League is more important for everything, to prepare the next season.

‘We are supposed to be in the Champions League; the Europa League here is not enough.

‘This is the best way to get us to the top in a few years.’

Amorim believes the connection between his team and United’s long-suffering fans can be a ‘game-changer’ against Tottenham.

‘It is hard to have a message. You can see it every Sunday here, they are always supporting the team,’ he went on.

‘I think we have lost nine games at home this season. They are always supporting the manager, so I have nothing to say.

‘The connection with the supporters is really important. It can be a game-changer. We want to build that connection and win titles.’

Just as Amorim was facing the media, Tottenham confirmed some injury news of their own – and it will come as a huge blow to Ange Postecoglou.

Dejan Kulusevski hobbled out of Spurs’ loss to Crystal Palace with a knee problem at the weekend and the Sweden forward looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

‘We can confirm that Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella in our Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace,’ an official statement from Spurs read.

‘Following further specialist consultation, the midfielder has undergone surgery today and will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately. We’re all with you, Deki.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Liverpool open talks to sign £126m midfielder after Manchester City approach

Arrow MORE: Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher make predictions for Arsenal v Newcastle

Manchester United playing Tottenham in the Europa League final is ‘shocking’ and ‘not a great look’ for the competition, believes former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock.

Both the Red Devils and Spurs have had nightmare seasons in the Premier League with Ruben Amorim’s side sitting 16th in the table and Ange Postecoglou’s one point and one place below them.

There has not been a legitimate threat of relegation as Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton are a long way behind them, but the two huge clubs hovering just above the relegation zone represents a disastrous campaign for both.

However, both sides still have the chance to save their seasons to some extent as they meet in the Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21.

It is the first edition of the tournament since the change in format which stopped teams dropping into the competition after being eliminated from the Champions League group stages.

Warnock feels the fact that two teams struggling so badly in the Premier League doing so well in the Europa League does not look good for the new format, which he reckons has clearly made it a weaker competition.

‘Tottenham and Manchester United have lost 37 Premier League games between them and it’s shocking to think one of them will be playing in the Champions League next year,’ Warnock told Casino Apps.

‘It’s not a great look – it shows the quality of the Europa League has worsened since they’ve stopped teams dropping down from the Champions League if they’re knocked out.

‘Naturally, the competition is now weaker and more diluted when it comes to the quality of teams, but I understand not wanting a team to be knocked out of one European competition and going straight into another.’

Both Manchester United and Tottenham were beaten 2-0 at home un the Premier League over the weekend, with their European exploits doing nothing to help their domestic form.

After the loss to West Ham at Old Trafford, Amorim said of the situation: ‘How a manager of Manchester United is supposed to feel in that position – embarrassed. It’s hard to accept.

‘Everybody has to think seriously about a lot of things here. We have to change a lot of things at the end of the season. I’m talking about myself, I’m talking about the culture in the club and the culture in the team. I have that feeling and we need to change that.

‘We need to be really strong in the summer and be brave. If the feeling is still here, then we should give space to different persons.’

The Red Devils boss even admitted that he was not sure if it would be a good thing for his team to win the Europa League and make the huge leap into next season’s Champions League.

‘I don’t know what is best,’ he said. ‘If it’s playing in the Champions League or not. We need to feel that it’s the end of the world when we’re not winning a game.

‘So it’s a big problem that we have here at the club. It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club and we need to address that.

‘It’s a big problem because it’s mentally. We’re not scared of losing a game.

‘We don’t have that fear anymore – and that is the most dangerous thing a big club can have.’

Spurs lost at home to Crystal Palace and Postecoglou was keen to point out that the run to the Europa League final has impacted his team’s league form.

‘It’s not exactly Pythagoras theorem,’ he said. ‘It’s quite simple to understand we would have had much better results if we didn’t have to navigate this.

‘Either you understand or you don’t and you beat us over the head. I get it.’

The Australian did make a number of changes for the clash with the Eagles, but admitted that he was underwhelmed by those given their chance to shine.

‘Guys had an opportunity today to put their name forward and put some pressure on the guys who played the other night,’ he said.

‘It’s fair to say there wasn’t any compelling evidence of that. I’m disappointed more didn’t step forward. They missed a chance.’

Arrow MORE: Enzo Maresca slammed over ‘very worrying’ Chelsea decision

Arrow MORE: Crystal Palace vs Man City: FA Cup final team news, predicted lineups and injuries

Gary Neville has warned Tottenham are firm favourites for next week’s Europa League final, insisting only one Manchester United player gets into the Tottenham starting XI.

The Premier League sides collide in Bilbao next Wednesday hoping to salvage silverware from what has been a desperately poor season for both clubs.

United and Tottenham currently occupy 16th and 17th place in the Premier League having fallen woefully short of pre-season expectations.

Both have found solace in Europe this season with United beating Real Sociedad, Lyon and Athletic Bilbao to reach the final with Tottenham getting past AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo Glimt.

Spurs have beaten United three times this season – home and away in the league and in the Carabao Cup in December – with former captain Neville insisting Bruno Fernandes is the only player who would start for the north Londoners with everyone fully fit.

‘I have got a sickly feeling about this game next Wednesday,’ Neville told The Overlap Fan Debate.

‘The biggest reason I have a sickly feeling about this game is when I look at every player in the team, [Dejan] Kulusevski, [Heung-min] Son, Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, James Maddison if he was fit, [Yves] Bissouma and [Pape] Sarr, [Cristian] Romero and [Micky] van de Ven and [Pedro] Porro and [Destiny] Udogie.

‘When you look at those players like for like with United, only Bruno would get into the first XI of Spurs.

‘I would select every single Tottenham player. The goalkeeper is a 50-50 split because I’m not a big fan of Vicario and I am not a fan of Onana.

‘But I would choose every single player of Tottenham’s over Manchester United’s next Wednesday. That is my worry.’

United’s underperforming stars have stepped up in Europe this season with Casemiro forcing his way back into the team to play a key role in their journey to Bilbao.

But Neville is convinced that won’t be enough if Tottenham ‘play like they should’ next week.

‘United do have a couple of players, the likes of Casemiro and Bruno, they have something in them that will step up for a one-off game.

‘But if the players play like they should, Tottenham should win that game.’

Arrow MORE: Manchester United legend Paul Scholes claims Arsenal are making £51m transfer mistake

Arrow MORE: Liam Delap makes decision on joining Man Utd or Chelsea this summer

Manchester United will not sack Ruben Amorim if they lose to Tottenham in the Europa League final this month, according to reports.

Following a 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham on Sunday, Amorim sparked speculation over his future as United manager in his post-match press conference.

‘I don’t want to talk about players. I’m talking about myself, the culture in the club, the culture in the team,’ Amorim said.

‘I have that feeling, we need to change that and we need to be really strong in the summer and be brave because we will not have the next season like this.

‘If we start like this, or if the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different persons.’

United currently sit 16th in the Premier League with 39 points from 36 games this season and have registered just two wins in their last 10 matches.

However, Amorim has the chance to finish the campaign with a trophy as United play Tottenham in the Europa League final on May 21.

More Trending

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is already under significant pressure ahead of the final but according to The Guardian, Amorim’s job will be safe, irrespective of the outcome in Bilbao next week.

The report adds that Amorim views Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as key players for his rebuild at United.

Cunha has a £62.5 million release clause in his contract with Wolves and is open to joining United this summer.

Meanwhile, Delap has a £30m relegation release clause in his deal with Ipswich which can be triggered in the upcoming transfer window.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Is Jeremie Frimpong Liverpool’s ready-made replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Arrow MORE: Liverpool snubbed as Ally McCoist predicts who will win the Premier League next season

Tottenham were dealt a fresh injury scare after Dejan Kulusevski was forced off in the first half of their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

Kulusevski started in Spurs’ Europa League semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt, but was not rested for Sunday’s game against Palace.

And there were concerns when the Swede went down and was eventually brought off after just 20 minutes following a heavy collision with Marc Guehi.

With James Maddison recently ruled of for the season, there was concern that Kulusevski would also face a spell on the sidelines just ten days out from Spurs’ Europa League final with Manchester United.

However, Ange Postecoglou was quick to allay fears over the extent of Kulusevski’s injury when speaking after his side’s 2-0 defeat at home.

‘Should be OK, just talking to him after,’ the Australian said.

‘Medical team not too concerned with him, more of a knock than anything else.’

But while Kulusevski’s injury may not be of concern, Tottenham were left with more questions to answer after their 20th league defeat of the season saw them slip to 17th in the table.

A brace from Eberechi Eze provided Palace with the perfect preparation for their own final in the FA Cup next weekend, but Postecoglou admitted his side’s impending European final was no excuse for Sunday’s poor showing.

‘We weren’t good enough today. We didn’t reach the level we needed in the Premier League and fell short,’ he told BBC Match of the Day.

More Trending

‘We were disjointed because of the number of changes to the team which obviously affects what we’re trying to do. I still think we could have performed better.

‘We haven’t been able to navigate that process as much as we would have liked, we wouldn’t have made as many changes in an ideal world but that’s the situation we’re in.

‘It’s quite clear why we’ve lost so many games. If we weren’t in Europe or had a Carabao Cup run and only had the league to think about since Christmas then we’d be higher in the league.’

Perhaps the only positive for Tottenham on the day was the return of captain Heung-min Son, who played 33 minutes off the bench having missed the last seven games with injury.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Jamie Carragher blasts William Saliba for ‘poor’ mistake in Liverpool vs Arsenal clash

Arrow MORE: Ruben Amorim makes startling claim over his Man Utd future after West Ham defeat

Mikel Arteta insists he unfazed by the prospect of Tottenham ending their trophy drought if they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final this month.

Arsenal will finish the campaign without silverware following their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final this week.

Meanwhile, Spurs have endured a miserable season in the Premier League but Ange Postecoglou could still come away with a trophy this term as they will play United in the Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21.

Spurs have not won a trophy since beating Chelsea in the League Cup final in 2008, while their last success in Europe was a UEFA Cup victory in 1984.

When asked about the prospect of seeing Spurs win the Europa League this season, Arteta replied: ‘For me, I have enough looking at my own garden.’

Arteta also praised Arne Slot, who has guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season at Anfield after taking over from Jurgen Klopp last year.

‘What Arne did was very intelligent,’ Arteta said.

More Trending

‘He had all the platform – it is a team that has been competing and winning trophies throughout the last 10 years. It’s nothing new.

‘He’s added his values, and he maintained a lot of the things. He’s obviously given his fingerprints to a lot of things that are very, very good as well.

‘The most important thing is he got the best out of the players.

‘And the players that have to make the difference, they were there constantly, making the difference for them. That’s capital to win any major trophy.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Harry Kane lifts first trophy as Bayern Munich respond to Premier League return rumours

Arrow MORE: Arsenal have concern with Chelsea after submitting first Viktor Gyokeres bid

Ange Postecoglou has aimed a thinly-veiled swipe at Arsenal and their European exit this week after Tottenham set up an all-English Europa League final against Manchester United.

Spurs sealed a 2-0 win away to Bodo Glimt on Thursday night, beating the Norwegian outfit 5-1 on aggregate.

United joined them with a huge aggregate victory of their own, putting four past Athletic Bilbao after conceding early at Old Trafford to progress 7-1 across two legs.

United and Spurs have endured disastrous Premier League campaigns, currently sat 15th and 16th respectively with hopes for a top 10 finish long gone.

But in reaching the Europa League final, both have the chance to salvage some unlikely silverware and secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.

With English clubs dominating the Europa League, no Premier League side will be involved in this year’s Champions League final after Arsenal crashed out against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

The French champions also dumped Liverpool and Aston Villa out of the competition with Manchester City also beaten in Paris before crashing out of the competition at the play-off round against Real Madrid.

Speaking after the win in Norway, Postecoglou suggested two teams so off the pace in the league reaching the final and will ‘upset a lot of people’ – with Arsene Wenger this week suggesting the winners of the competition should not be qualifying for the Champions League.

Implying Tottenham’s critics are trying to play down their European run, the Spurs boss insisted the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and City should try reaching a final ‘if it’s so easy’.

‘It’s going to upset a lot of people isn’t it,’ Postecoglou said. ‘The debate’s now raging, the latest one is that neither of us will be able to get a trophy if we win, they’re just going to take a team photo because we’re not worthy.

‘I mean, who cares if we’re struggling in the league? Why is that important? If it’s so easy to get to a final, then why doesn’t everyone who finishes in the top three do it? It’s a separate thing. It’s got nothing to do with league form.

‘We understand our league form hasn’t been great. We understand the struggles we’ve had. A lot of them are because of the situation we’ve been in.

‘But how that diminishes the achievement of getting to a final. Like I said, this club and others have finished in first, second or third in the Premier League and haven’t made finals.’

Tottenham’s run through the knockout stages saw them get past AZ Alkmaar and Eintracht Frankfurt before beating Norwegian opposition in the semis. United meanwhile beat Real Sociedad, Lyon and Athletic Bilbao.

‘Why should that be diminished? I couldn’t care less who’s struggling and who’s not. I think both us and Manchester United have earned the right to be there,’ Postecoglou continued.

‘I think we’ve probably beaten teams who will be in the Champions League next year, on our road to getting there. So looking forward to it, should be a great game.’

Arrow MORE: Jamie Carragher predicts major Arsenal change if they sign £51 million transfer target

Arrow MORE: Gary Neville names Inter Milan star who would be perfect for Manchester United

Ruben Amorim has warned his Manchester United players that their run to the Europa League final ‘means nothing’ if they don’t beat Tottenham.

United smashed Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday and will next face Spurs in a mouth-watering all-English final in Spain on May 21.

Ange Postecoglou’s side knocked out Bodo/Glimt in the other Europa League semi-final showdown and are looking to secure their fourth win of the season over the Red Devils when the two sides meet yet again.

Spurs have beaten United twice in the Premier League this term and also eliminated Amorim’s team from the Carabao Cup in December.

Speaking ahead of the Europa League final, Amorim told TNT Sports: ‘[Winning the trophy is] the least we can do for these fans, for the support they have given us in this tough season.

‘I’m stressed already because of the final. If we don’t do it, it means nothing, but we’re happy to be there so let’s see.’

United and Spurs have both massively struggled in the Premier League this term, sitting 15th and 16th in the top-flight table with just three games left.

‘It is quite similar, for me and Ange,’ Amorim added. ‘It is a tough moment. One of us is going to win. It is going to be a big final, we are going to try to win.’

Quizzed about United’s three defeats to Spurs this season, Amorim said: ‘First of all, you have to think in the odds, it is hard for a team to lose four times in a row.

‘So we can think about it in that way. We need to have a full squad and to study the game quite well.

‘We need to have a little bit of luck. Today we conceded a goal, but we had so many transitions to score and we didn’t. We have to be clinical in that game.’

Spurs boss Postecoglou, meanwhile, is ‘excited’ for the Europa League final showdown against United.

‘We deserved to go through and we’re excited for the final,’ the Australian said.

‘We have grown in maturity through the competition. You can see the lads are understanding what is required.

‘We kept them (Bodo/Glimt) to a minimum, the lads were focused on what we needed to do.

‘We have used every player in the squad, we are used to adversity and overcoming that. They have handled it all really well.

‘It could’ve been nervy. It’s why we do what we do, you understand the context of what this club has been trying to achieve for a while now.

‘Managers and players come and go but there is one constant and it is the fan. Who knows, hopefully we can do something special. We will keep doing what we’re doing.’

Arrow MORE: TNT Sports pundit slammed over baffling Mason Mount claim as Man Utd reach Europa League final

Arrow MORE: ‘Not worth it’ – Liverpool told to avoid move for £66m Arsenal and Man Utd target

Xavi says he would ‘love’ to manage in the Premier League after being tipped to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.

Postecoglou is still in contention to end the season with a trophy as Spurs are one game away from reaching the Europa League final.

However, the 59-year-old is under huge pressure due to Spurs’ woeful Premier League campaign where his side currently sit 16th in the table with 38 points from 35 games.

Xavi, meanwhile, U-turned on his decision to leave Barcelona last season but ended up being sacked in May after ending the campaign without a trophy.

The 45-year-old, who guided Barca to the La Liga title in 2023, is now among the favourites to succeed Postecoglou at Spurs and says he is keen on a move to England.

‘There’s no hurry for me, but I’d like a good project,’ Xavi said in an interview with The Athletic.

‘Like, ‘You have four years to work and make a project’. I’d love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there. In Spain, it’s too much about the result.

More Trending

‘Look what has happened to Ancelotti and people criticising him. It’s not fair. He won 30 trophies in 10 years and he’s criticised like he’s not won anything. Valverde said it perfectly when he said: ‘If Ancelotti is criticised, what hope is there for the rest of us?’.

‘But the pressure in Spain is difficult, especially at Barca and Madrid.

‘Chelsea with Maresca. Good project. Arteta with Arsenal – it’s his sixth year with Arsenal and there were seasons when it was difficult, but his club trusted the process and continued. He’s doing well. That doesn’t happen in Spain.

‘Or a national team, that would appeal. When I dreamed about being a coach, I dreamed about being in a World Cup or European Championship.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Marcus Rashford begins talks with ‘dream club’ to speed up Manchester United exit

Arrow MORE: ‘Serial winner’ installed as new favourite to replace Mikel Arteta as next Arsenal manager