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Luke Shaw has hailed the difference Michael Carrick has made at Manchester United, as the dramatic turnaround from Ruben Amorim’s reign continues.

The Red Devils beat Tottenham 2-0 on Saturday at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes.

That result continued Carrick’s perfect spell in charge so far, with four wins from four games, having also downed Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham.

A return to the Champions League is now a good possibility, with United sitting fourth in the Premier League table, just three points behind Aston Villa in third.

They will look to make it five wins on the bounce when they go to West Ham on Tuesday night, with confidence as high as it has been in a long time among the Manchester United squad.

Shaw feels Carrick’s knowledge of the club, having played 464 matches for the Red Devils, has been a huge part of how he is getting the best out of his players.

In what will be a blow to former manager Amorim, Shaw also says Carrick has made a difference, simply because he ‘knows exactly what’s needed to win football matches.’

‘He’s made lots of differences,’ Shaw told talkSPORT. ‘But for me, the biggest one is he knows the club, and he knows exactly what’s needed to win football matches, to make everyone happy and to enjoy what we’re doing.

‘He’s, of course, won a lot when he was here as a player. So he understands the club, and I think that’s the biggest thing for me. He knows how to get the best out of the players, and he’s really doing that.’

The 34-cap England international feels the squad has quickly improved their team spirit under Carrick, who is making a strong argument to be given the job permanently beyond his current deal to be in charge for the rest of this season.

‘Of course, the culture is extremely important, and day in, day out, how we are as a team, how the mentality is, how the focus is,’ said the 30-year-old.

‘How we push each other day in day out, that’s one thing Carrick has brought it, and I think everyone’s just really enjoying themselves at the moment.

‘You see how important not just the starting 11 are, it’s the ones that are coming off the bench as well, making an impact.

‘Even when we score in the celebrations, it’s not just the players on the pitch. It’s the ones on the bench that are running around and celebrating, too. And I think that shows a real togetherness.’

The likes of Roy Keane and Gary Neville have said that Carrick should not be given the job beyond this season, however well he does.

If he can keep up this level of performance and these superb results, though, the former England midfielder could make it difficult for the hierarchy not to keep him in the dugout.

Speaking after the win over Spurs, he said: ‘I feel good. I feel pretty calm in some ways as well. I think we’re in a good spot.

‘It’s nice to see, coming into the stadium and feeling the atmosphere from the supporters and the excitement, sending a lot of people home happy. I know how important that is. At the end, it’s what we’re here for. It gives us a good feeling of wanting more really, in terms of the football side of it.

‘Some good performances and some really good results, we’re just moving on to the next one and not settling for what we’ve got. Not taking things for granted is something we speak about a lot and the boys have been really good for that, so far.’

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Ian Wright believes Kobbie Mainoo has ’embarrassed’ Ruben Amorim with his impressive performances since Michael Carrick became Manchester United manager.

Mainoo was a peripheral figure in United’s squad under Amorim and did not start a Premier League game this season before the Portuguese was sacked on January 5.

The 20-year-old has started all four Premier League matches under Carrick and delivered another influential performance in the 2-0 win at home to Tottenham on Saturday.

Mainoo had considered a move away from United ahead of the January transfer window due to his lack of playing time under Amorim, but he now looks set to play a pivotal role in Carrick’s midfield for the remainder of the campaign.

‘This is the quality of Kobbie Mainoo and we saw that when he got into the team, the England team, he played in the Euros at 18, we know the quality he’s got,’ Wright told Premier League Productions after United beat Spurs.

‘Everybody was confused with what was happening under Ruben Amorim.

‘Because when you look at him, someone who’s not played, coming into a Man United side that’s not in great form, to play in that midfield which is where all the questions have been around… just the quality.

‘You’re listening to Bruno [Fernandes] saying they’ve been given the freedom to express themselves because they’re good players. And Kobbie is a very, very good player and I’m just pleased we’re seeing that now.

‘I think it’s very embarrassing for Ruben Amorim, if we’re going to be totally honest. Because what we seeing now is a Man United youth product not given the opportunity to play and very, very close to leaving the club.

‘He [Mainoo] was brilliant today, magnificent.’

Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov says he is ‘very happy’ that Mainoo has remained at United and believes the 20-year-old will improve even more under Carrick’s guidance.

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‘When I was watching him today, not only today, he’s constantly scanning the pitch, constantly scanning where he is, where his teammates are, making that picture in his head so he knows exactly when the ball how to play one touch, two touch,’ Berbatov said.

‘He’s very clever slowing the game when the game needs to be slowed down, draw the opposition towards him then pass the ball. This way it frees the space in the opposition half.

‘Again, very happy that he stayed at United, we are not forced to watch him play for another team because now we can see how good he really is and I think he can become even better.’

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Cristian Romero will be forced to serve a four-match suspension following his sending off in Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Spurs’ captain hit the headlines after unleashing a social-media attack on the board after his side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City – but it was his erratic on-field behaviour that took centre stage at Old Trafford.

With the scoreline goalless in Manchester, Romero appeared to lose all control as he lunged in with his studs-up on Casemiro’s ankle in the 29th minute, leaving the Brazilian writhing around on the turf.

Referee Michael Oliver wasted little time in brandishing a red card to send Romero for an early bath, reducing the visitors to ten men with just over an hour remaining of the contest.

It was the sixth time that Romero has managed to get himself sent off in just 152 appearances for the north London outfit. It’s also the second time this season that he has been forced to serve a ban.

The Argentina international was suspended for four matches – and fined £50,000 – after he was sent off for a second bookable offence in Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool back in December.

His latest suspension is automatically extended from three to four matches due to it being his second sending off of the campaign.

Just nine minutes after Romero’s shocking challenge on Casemiro, United managed to capitalise on their one-man advantage as Bryan Mbeumo beat Guglielmo Vicario with a superb first-time finish to open the scoring.

Bruno Fernandes put United out of sight with a second late on at the Theatre of Dreams, with Michael Carrick making it four wins from four since replacing Ruben Amorim as interim manager.

Romero’s ban means Thomas Frank will be without the World Cup winner for Tottenham’s next four Premier League matches against Newcastle, bitter rivals Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Assuming he is fit, the 27-year-old centre-back could make his return in Spurs’ clash with champions Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 15.

‘In the blindside, he sees Casemiro coming in aggressively and you just know that Romero has got that switch,’ ex-England and Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart said of Romero’s tackle in the TNT Sports studio at half-time.

‘He doesn’t need to do that, there’s no need to go in like he has.

‘He’s still going to win that ball almost with a side-foot and he just smashes him.

‘You fear for Casemiro at the time and he’s done well to recover from that.’

Owen Hargreaves suggested Romero could quite easily have won the ball without having to produce such a reckless challenge.

‘He knows [it was a poor challenge] and that’s why he apologised to Casemiro,’ the former United, Bayern Munich and England midfielder said.

‘He didn’t need to stay on him… he could have tackled him and come away, but he decided to stay on him.

‘Tottenham, up until that point, were quite even with Manchester United but there’s no need for that.’

On Romero’s record of six red cards in three-and-a-half seasons with Spurs, Hargreaves added: ‘It’s just too many.

‘There’s no need. He’s a good player, he likes a tackle, he enjoys it, but there’s no need.

‘When you’re getting red cards that are costing your team, there’s nothing positive about it whatsoever.’

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Manchester United host Tottenham at Old Trafford this afternoon looking to make it four wins from four.

After thrilling victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, it was a bit more nerve-wracking against Fulham last time out with the hosts needing a last-gasp winner from Benjamin Sesko to secure all three points.

Tottenham’s domestic campaign has been desperately poor but there is no doubt they have had United’s number as of late, beating them four times in all competitions last season, including in the Europa League final.

You have to go back to October 2022 for United’s last victory over Spurs but against one of his former sides, Carrick will be desperate to end that hoodoo and continue United’s march towards European qualification.

Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.

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Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

At the other end, Gallagher wins a free kick for Spurs – a better first touch might have presented him with a chance to lob Lammens from distance.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

KICK-OFF!

And we are underway!

Kick-off approaching

What Tottenham will we see today? They looked all at sea in the first-half against Manchester City last week but came out in the second-half ready to fight.

They have had United’s number the last few seasons – can the hosts end that hoodoo?

Mbeumo through the middle again

It’s a fourth start in a row for Bryan Mbeumo up front in this tweaked United attack.

Carrick ‘s Tottenham days

Michael Carrick spent just two years at Tottenham but had a huge impact in north London. Playing alongside Edgar Davids in midfield, he was part of the side that pushed all the way for Champions League qualification, only to lose out to Arsenal in the race for fourth place at the end of the 2005-06 season. Remember lasagne-gate?

That summer, United came calling and the rest his history.

Yoro also waiting for first start under Carrick

Leny Yoro is another who can’t quite force his way into this United team at the moment with Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire the firm first choice pairing for now.

The Frenchman has struggled at times this season, enduring a particularly torrid spell in November, but he remains a big part of United’s future.

Romero leading a Tottenham revolt?

Cristian Romero hasn’t been shy in airing his concerns about what’s going on at Tottenham, labelling the club’s lack of depth ‘disgraceful’ shortly after the transfer window closed.

It isn’t the first time the captain has blasted the club on social media with the Argentina international dealt with ‘internally’.

‘He is our captain and one of our important players,’ Thomas Frank has said ahead of kick-off.

Mainoo and Casemiro continue partnership in midfield

Kobbie Mainoo didn’t start a single Premier League game under Ruben Amorim and had the Portuguese coach still been in the hotseat, it’s very likely the England international would have left Old Trafford last month.

Instead, he’s starting his fourth game in a row alongside Casemiro. United’s midfield needs urgent surgery in the summer but for now, this partnership is doing the trick.

‘I haven’t had to pass any tips onto him yet. Case [Casemiro] and Kobbie have been fantastic,’ Carrick said ahead of kick-off.

‘’ve given them little bits of advice and trusting them on finding there way and expressing themselves.’

Carrick explains why Sesko isn’t starting

It’s a big call from Carrick today but the United boss has spoken glowingly of the United striker every chance he has got since arriving at Old Trafford. Speaking ahead of kick-off, he has assured fans Sesko will make an appearance at some point today.

‘Benjamin has done fantastic,’ Carrick said.

‘He’s going to be a big player here. I have been really impressed with him. Today was just a decision but he will come on and make a difference.’

Munich victims to be remembered ahead of kick-off

It is 68 years since the plane carrying Sir Matt Busby and his United team back from a European Cup tie in Belgrade crashed on take-off killing 23 with eight players among the dead.

It has been a week of remembrance in Manchester with further tributes taking place today.

Players will also wear black armbands marked by the date and time of the darkest day in the club’s history.

United’s rotten record against Tottenham

October 2022. That was the last time United picked up a win against Tottenham with Fred among the scorers that day. They have gone eight games since without a victory, losing four times to Spurs last season alone including in the Europa League final.

Only a last-gasp equaliser from Matthijs de Ligt spared them another defeat in the reverse fixture in November.

Romero and van de Ven start for Spurs

Micky van de Ven is back in the side after shaking off an injury with Cristian Romero also fit to start after coming off at half-time against Man City last time out.

No changes for United today

Michael Carrick already has a very settled side and he’s stuck with the same XI that beat Fulham last time out today.

It means Matheus Cunha starts off the left again with Bryan Mbeumo deployed through the middle.

Benjamin Sesko’s wait for a first start under Carrick continues.

Tottenham XI to face Man Utd

Vicario, Gray, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Sarr, Palhinha, Odobert, Gallagher, Simons, Solanke

Subs: Kinsky, Drăgușin, Souza, Byfield, Bissouma, Olusesi, Williams-Barnet, Tel, Kolo Muani

Man Utd XI to face Tottenham

Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo

Subs: Baynindir, Heaven, Malacia, Mazraoui, Yoro, T Fleccher, Ugarte, Sesko, Zirkzee

Sesko on the bench

His winner against Fulham isn’t enough to get him in the starting XI – United are unchanged.

How Man Utd could line up this afternoon

Benjamin Sesko will certainly be pushing for a start after his last-gasp winner against Fulham. But it would prompt a bit of a reshuffle in the attack that has served Michael Carrick so well thus far.

Tottenham team news today

Tottenham have bee boosted by the news that both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are fit and available for selection today.

Dominic Solanke scored twice in the comeback draw against Manchester City on Sunday but left the pitch with a slight limp with Cristian Romero forced off at half-time.

The striker has shaken off that knock however and is also available.

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Tim Sherwood believes Manchester United will not want to miss out on potentially signing Micky van de Ven and could hijack Liverpool’s pursuit of the Tottenham defender.

Van de Ven has been a pivotal player for Spurs since he arrived from Wolfsburg in 2023 for an initial £34.5million fee.

The Dutchman has made 30 appearances this season, and has even proved a reliable source of goals from defence, with seven in all competitions.

Van de Ven’s contract expires in 2029, but rumblings around a potential summer exit have begun to grow louder, particularly as Thomas Frank’s side continue to struggle domestically this season.

The Daily Mail reported last month that Liverpool are ‘developing a keen interest’ in the 24-year-old and could make a move for him in the summer.

Arne Slot’s side confirmed a deal for talented young defender Jeremy Jacquet in the final days of the January window, but are likely to strengthen further in the summer, particularly if Ibrahima Konate leaves on a free transfer.

Sherwood expects competition to sign Van de Ven in the summer to be fierce, and said United could be at the front of the queue to sign the Dutch defender as they look to improve their options at the back.

‘If he proves his fitness, I think there will be a queue around the block for himm’ Sherwood told CasinoStugan.

‘Hopefully Tottenham can keep hold of him but you know what it’s like when a player decides he wants to leave. Unfortunately, if you don’t let him go, you’re left without the money and the player in the end.

‘People may be shocked by that but it all depends on who they have as manager in the summer because they’ve got it wrong so many times before and it looks like they have got it right at the moment.’

Sherwood continued: ‘United are a club that can go from where they have been to the top quicker than most because they’ve got the brand power, the money to do it. They can pay the big wages for the big players.

‘They missed the boat before. They could have signed Declan Rice and Harry Kane. Instead, they ended up with seven or eight signings who were alright but mostly very poor.

‘They won’t want to miss the boat this time on Van de Ven. He will certainly be at the top of a lot of lists at any number of clubs and Tottenham will have to fight tooth and nail to keep hold of him.

‘I think the only real way they keep hold of him is if Mickey decides that there might be a bright future ahead at Tottenham, and right now they’re down in 14th in the Premier League and out of the running for the two domestic cups. They’re flying high in the Champions League but there are stiffer tests to come in that competition.’

While interest in Van de Ven may be growing, Spurs are unlikely to part ways with one of their key players without significant compensation.

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And talkSPORT suggests that the north London club have set Van de Ven’s value at £100m, meaning any interested party would have to make him the most expensive defender in history if they want to buy him.

Speaking last month on speculation surrounding Van de Ven, Spurs boss Frank said: ‘He’s very important for us, so Micky’s a Tottenham player now and for the future.

‘Micky’s an excellent player; he’s a fantastic ambassador for this club.

‘He’s having potentially his best season so far. He’s fit, he’s strong, good defensively, he’s growing as a leader, scoring goals as well, and he’s a very important player for us this season and for the future.’

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Peter Crouch has backed Manchester United to extend their 100 per cent record under Michael Carrick with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham this weekend.

Carrick was tasked with steadying the ship after picking up the pieces from Ruben Amorim’s turbulent 14-month reign at Old Trafford just three weeks ago.

But the 44-year-old has far surpassed expectations, steering the Red Devils to consecutive wins over second-placed Manchester City, leaders Arsenal and Fulham in his first three games in charge.

It means Carrick – a five-time Premier League winner with United during his playing days – remains undefeated across his two spells as interim head coach.

In his previous stint in charge after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021, the ex-England midfielder led United to a pair of wins and a draw against Arsenal, Villarreal and Chelsea respectively.

United’s upturn in form has seen the club rise up to fourth in the English top flight ahead of what promises to be an intriguing clash with Tottenham, another of Carrick’s former teams.

But while United enter the contest as the firm bookmakers’ favourites, they will no doubt be wary of a Spurs side that fought back from two goals down to salvage a draw against Manchester City last time out.

Tottenham’s hero that day, Dominic Solanke, is a slight doubt for Saturday’s trip to the Theatre of Dreams having been forced off in the closing stages of the 2-2 thriller.

‘It’s big for Spurs to have Solanke back but I’m not sure if he’s injured for this game,’ ex-Spurs striker Crouch said in his preview of the match on That Peter Crouch Podcast.

‘Regardless of whether Solanke is in or not… if he’s in, it makes it a lot better because I think Tottenham are a better side with someone up top like that.

‘The Tottenham fans haven’t been over the moon with how it’s going at home have they, let’s be honest.

‘Michael Carrick has got the bounce at the moment and that’s why I think it will be a Manchester United win, personally.

Asked for his prediction, Crouch replied: ‘I’m going to go with 2-0 to United.’

This weekend’s other heavyweight fixture takes place at Anfield between Liverpool, the reigning champions, and title-chasing City.

City’s setback at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium means they now trail top-of-the-table Arsenal by six points in the table – and Crouch thinks it could be more points dropped for Pep Guardiola’s men on Sunday.

Pressed for his score prediction, the former Liverpool and England forward replied: ‘This is always a tough one, isn’t it? I’d like to go for 2-2 because it’s been working for me and I can just see it.’

He added: ‘I’m going to go with Hugo Ekitike to score first.’

Liverpool bounced back in style after their defeat at Bournemouth, running out comprehensive 4-1 victors over Newcastle in their previous meeting.

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Ekitike continued his excellent run of form with a first-half brace at Anfield, taking his goalscoring tally to 15 for the season in all competitions, and Crouch saw shades of Fernando Torres in the Frenchman’s performance on Merseyside.

‘I thought Liverpool did well on the weekend [against Newcastle]. Florian Wirtz looked sharp and Ekitike,’ he went on.

‘Do you know what Ekitike’s second goal reminded me of? It reminded me of peak Fernando Torres at Anfield, where he slows people down and then bursts.

‘I remember Torres doing that to Rio [Ferdinand] a couple of times, where he slowed him down and then bang, gone with the pace, outside the right foot. It reminded me of him.’

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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has questioned James Wilson’s decision to join Tottenham on loan after Arsenal ‘went quiet’ on a January deal for the striker.

The Gunners had been in discussions to bring Wilson to north London right up until the deadline, before Spurs made a late swoop to land the 18-year-old forward on a six-month deal.

The loan agreement includes an option for the Europa League champions to sign Wilson on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

Wilson made his first-team breakthrough for Hearts midway through the 2023/24 campaign, aged just 16, going on to score eight goals in his opening 45 appearances for his boyhood team.

Last March, Wilson become Scotland’s youngest ever men’s international when he came on as a second-half substitute in the side’s 3-0 Nations League victory over Greece.

Spurs have confirmed that Wilson will join up with Wayne Burnett’s Under-21 squad.

Though widely considered to be one of Scotland’s most promising young talents, Wilson struggled for regular playing time for top-of-the-table Hearts this term, making just one solitary start in the Scottish Premiership against Motherwell.

But when asked about Wilson’s loan move on Wednesday, Hearts boss McInnes felt the teenager should have stayed put and fought for his place in the second half of the season.

‘James wanted to go, so you don’t want to keep a player who then becomes unhappy. I couldn’t guarantee him minutes, such is the way it’s been,’ McInnes told reporters.

‘I told him and his agent, they knew that our preference was to stay, fight for your place, be part of something, we’ll get you a loan in Scotland if need be, if you need to top your minutes up and we can maybe recall you, so you still get the best of both worlds.

‘But his head was turned with the Tottenham thing.’

According to McInnes, Arsenal were the first to make their interest known in Wilson before dropping out of a proposed move on Monday.

‘First of all it was Arsenal, then Arsenal went quiet and then all of a sudden Tottenham came to the table Monday afternoon,’ he explained.

‘I don’t think it’s the right move for him. Ultimately, it’s academy football and I think he’s better than that. But it was something James wanted to do.’

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Despite his doubts over the move, McInnes made it clear he wished Wilson nothing but the best at Tottenham.

‘Like I say, we made it clear that our preference was for him to stay and be part of something here,’ he continued.

‘He made the decision and I hope it goes well for him because he’s a great kid and we’ll see how it plays out.

‘But for us, I just need to concentrate on the players who are here and who want to be here and who want to play their part.’

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Peter Schmeichel has picked out Micky van de Ven for special praise and questioned why the defender was not on Manchester United’s radar before he joined Tottenham.

Van de Ven is enjoying his third full season with Tottenham having completed a move from Wolfsburg for a fee of around £35million back in 2023.

In that time, the 24-year-old centre-back has made 81 appearances in all competitions for Spurs while helping the club end their painful 17-year wait for silverware in the Europa League last term.

Despite Tottenham’s lowly position this season, Van de Ven continues to earn himself plenty of admirers with his performances at the heart of Thomas Frank’s defence alongside Cristian Romero.

However, the Netherlands international has been forced to sit out Spurs’ last two matches through injury.

Though Van de Ven missed Sunday’s fightback against Manchester City, the Dutchman’s prominence is such that he was one of the main topics of conversation amongst Viaplay’s punditry team ahead of kick-off.

According to Schmeichel, Van de Ven’s ‘great instincts’ and ‘speed’ make him a vitally important figure for Tottenham and the side’s success going forward.

‘I think he is a fantastic player,’ the legendary former Manchester United goalkeeper said.

‘I think he’s got really, really great instincts, I think his pace, his speed, is so valuable if you want to play attacking football.

‘Playing attacking football, you have to be further up the pitch and that means that anything in this area has got to be dealt with, if it happens between the goalkeeper and the centre-half.

‘If you’ve got slow centre-backs then it is very difficult to play like that.’

Schmeichel finds himself baffled that a player of Van de Ven’s obvious ability wasn’t being tracked by the likes of United and Liverpool before he signed for Spurs.

‘I think he’s been a revelation,’ the Dane added.

‘I kind of think sometimes that a club like Manchester United or even Liverpool, the defending champions, they’re looking [for that player].

‘How did they not spot this guy?! He’s a fantastic player.’

Van de Ven could have the perfect opportunity to impress United next weekend when Tottenham face off against the in-form Red Devils at Old Trafford.

Facing the media after Spurs’ 2-2 draw with City, Frank reassured supporters that Van de Ven’s injury was only ‘minor’.

‘Micky is a minor one,’ he told reporters shortly after the final whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

‘I fully expect him to be available for Manchester United, he just couldn’t make it for this game unfortunately.’

Asked about Kevin Danso’s fitness, Frank explained: ‘He hyper-extended his big toe when he landed on the foot of an opponent against Frankfurt.

‘That means the ligament snapped in the big toe. It’s extremely unlucky.

‘We don’t know the length of it but we have an appointment next week where we can clarify that and Djed [Spence] has a minor calf injury. I hope Djed is not too long out.’

There was also some concern surrounding Spurs captain Cristian Romero, who was forced off at half-time against City, but the Argentine confirmed he was ‘okay’ after the game.

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Gary Neville declared Arsenal ‘the real winners’ of the weekend after Spurs fought back to hold Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Second-placed City had looked to be cruising towards a comfortable victory as Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo scored at either end of the first half to silence an already subdued Tottenham crowd.

There were audible boos and jeers as Thomas Frank and his players made their way down the tunnel after what was a wretched all-round performance from the home team before the break.

But Tottenham came out a different side in the second period – and Dominic Solanke was the hero for the hosts, scoring twice in the space of 17 minutes to make it all square in north London.

The result means Arsenal finish the weekend with a six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table, with Mikel Arteta’s men putting Leeds to the sword a day earlier.

It proved a dream 48 hours for the Gunners, who will have been desperate to respond after stumbling to a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United in their previous contest.

After a midweek Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Chelsea, Mikel Arteta’s men will look to tighten their grip on top spot when they return to Premier League action at home to Sunderland next Saturday.

‘A bizarre, bizarre game,’ ex-Manchester United and England right-back Neville – who has backed Arsenal to go on and win the title – said of City’s setback at Tottenham on Sky Sports.

‘At half-time it was almost sad in this ground, how low it felt.

‘It looked like a procession for City but, in the second half, you’ve got to give credit to Thomas Frank’s men.’

Neville added: ‘They’ve played a second half that will have taken quite a lot of pressure off Frank.

‘There’s a smile from Thomas Frank… who would have thought that 45 minutes ago?

‘For City, it’s another bad one where they have demonstrated again their defensive vulnerabilities, their complacency, and Arsenal are the real winners.’

Speaking from the Sky Sports studio, Jamie Redknapp applauded Tottenham for the grit and determination they displayed in salvaging a point from the game.

‘The dressing room must have been a really dark, difficult place for everybody concerned,’ the ex-Spurs and England midfielder said.

‘Cristian Romero doesn’t come out for the second half, he’s your captain, so you’ve got no Micky van de Ven and no Romero.

‘Then you just think to yourself, and I’ve been in this position myself, that this team are so much better than us and it could be 5-0.

‘The players were despondent, there’s no energy in the stadium, but somehow they managed to turn it around and it was incredible.

‘Xavi Simons was fantastic, Joao Palhinha added energy, Conor Gallagher in midfield was fantastic as well, Pape Sarr gave you energy.’

According to Redknapp, the match demonstrated how badly Frank has missed Solanke’s presence up front, with the striker making only his fifth league appearance of the season.

‘It just showed you as well how much they’ve missed Dominic Solanke,’ Redknapp went on.

‘That’s been really difficult for the manager because you saw his quality today.

‘From Tottenham’s point of view, we have to congratulate them because they’ve been battered by everybody.’

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Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has urged supporters to stay ‘united’ when they take on Manchester City on Sunday – even if a good result for the visitors puts a dent in Arsenal’s title hopes.

The Gunners sit top of the Premier League but their lead was reduced to just four points last Sunday after a home defeat to Manchester United.

There could be more twists this weekend with Mikel Arteta’s side in action away to Leeds United this afternoon.

Spurs welcome City to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday with a superb record against Pep Guardiola’s side having beaten them at the Etihad back in August.

Arsenal fans will find themselves in the very rare position of cheering on their hated rivals – while some Spurs supporters might be able to live with a City victory if it keeps the pressure on the Gunners at the top.

A small section of Spurs fans were seen doing the Poznan – the back-to-goal celebration adopted by City fans – after Erling Haaland scored in the same fixture in 2024, securing a win that denied Arsenal a chance to win the title on the last day of the 2023-24 season.

It is already set to be a tense Sunday in Tottenham with more protests against the board planned with organisers also encouraging supporters to stage a walkout.

While Frank understands the long history between Spurs and Arsenal, he insists the team’s focus is solely on securing all three points.

‘First and foremost, the fans, especially the 3000 that travelled to Frankfurt [in the Champions League on Wednesday], was amazing support throughout the game,’ Frank said.

‘It was fantastic to see their happy faces. The fans at home to Dortmund were amazing and when we are united together as a group magic things can happen. So it is all about that.

‘I understand there is a long history in the club that I can’t and will not question. My focus and the players focus is we do everything to beat City.’

Quizzed on those Poznan scenes from 2024, Frank added: ‘It’s a free world people can do what they want to do. Every Spurs fan is supporting the team. And it’s about that.’

Tottenham head into the weekend in 14th place.

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