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Ange Postecoglou has praised the job done by under-fire Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag as Tottenham prepare for their trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

A sloppy midweek draw in the Europa League reignited the pressure on Ten Hag, who has now seen his United side win just three of their opening seven games to start the season.

Spurs, meanwhile, faced some early criticism after just one win in their first four games but Posteoglou’s side have bounced back with three wins on the spin since then.

As the two sides prepare to clash on Sunday, an empathetic Postecoglou was keen to give Ten Hag his flowers for his impressive trophy haul in amongst the pressure-cooker environment of Old Trafford.

‘I think Erik’s in a really tough job and he’s done really well,’ he told reporters on Friday.

‘He keeps mentioning he’s won two trophies and that’s not insignificant, everyone keeps telling me that’s all I have to do, but it’s not all you have to do, because when you do that there’s always more. He’s done a great job, a difficult job.’

The Spurs boss continued: ‘I don’t know who coined the phrase “the impossible job”, but I think it’s become even more impossible now.

‘It seems like success is not enough if it doesn’t have identity, [and] identity is not enough unless it’s followed by aesthetics. Aesthetics are not enough unless they’re followed by legacy.

‘There’s always another layer. It seems like no one is doing a good job unless you win the competition at the end of the year.

‘There doesn’t seem to be any sort of understanding of progress or the circumstances that people have to work under at times.

‘But it’s just the nature of the role. I don’t think that’s going to change. I guess it’s about how you respond to it, how you react to it, how you let it affect you.

‘The more experience you have maybe the better you deal with these things.’

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Tottenham aimed a not-so-subtle dig at north London rivals Arsenal following their 3-0 win over Qarabag in the Europe League on Thursday.

Despite going down to ten men following Radu Dragusin’s first-half sending-off, Ange Postecoglou’s side did not waver from their customary attacking style.

Four minutes after the dismissal, Brennan Johnson gave Spurs the lead before second-half strikes from Pape Matar Sarr and Dominic Solanke saw them ease to a comfortable win on their return to European football.

The tactics starkly contrasted with Premier League rivals Arsenal who adopted a very conservative approach when put in a similar position after Leandro Trossard was sent off in last weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City.

Holding a 2-1 lead at the break, the Gunners spent much of the second half with ten men behind the ball before ultimately succumbing to John Stones’ late equaliser.

Following the draw, Mikel Arteta’s set-up came under the microscope, with pundit Roy Keane, in particular, slamming the Spaniard’s ‘dinosaur’ tactics.

And Tottenham were clearly keen to poke the bear one more time, posting a graphic of the match stats from their Europa League win with the caption: ’10 men and we never stopped playing our football.’

While Arteta’s tactics were criticised by some, the Spaniard was keen to defend his decision-making, citing a 5-0 defeat against City two years ago as a factor that motivated Arsenal’s safety first gameplan.

‘We had to play the game that we had to play,’ he said earlier in the week. ‘In the first 10 or 15 minutes we couldn’t. 11 against 11, then we got much better and obviously were thrown into a very different context. Every team does.

‘They played 30 seconds with 10 men. Look at what they did, it’s normal what they did for 30 seconds. We had to do it in a different way.

‘We learned from the past as well because unfortunately, we’ve been in that situation three times.

‘One was with Granit [Xhaka] after 37, 38 minutes and we conceded how many?’ We lost 5-0. We’d better learn. If not I would be very thick.’

Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways in the league on Saturday at home against Leicester, while Tottenham face a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on Sunday.

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Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has admitted a late call will be made on the fitness of captain Son Heung-min ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester United.

Son started Thursday’s 3-0 home win over Qarabag in the Europa League, but needed treatment before he limped off in the 71st minute.

Postecoglou hopes Son’s hamstring issue is not serious and the South Korea forward wants to train on Saturday to prove his fitness.

‘Fair to say the boys are fairly tired, the ones who put in a shift. Apart from Sonny, everybody is okay,’ Postecoglou revealed.

‘Sonny, I don’t think is too bad. He wants to train tomorrow and we will see how it goes and make a decision from there. We have another day up our sleeve to give him every chance.’

This week has seen Son’s future put into sharp focus after he discussed his contract situation on Wednesday and admitted no fresh talks had taken place.

Son’s current terms are set to expire next summer, but Tottenham hold the option to extend his deal by a further year and plan to activate that clause, the PA news agency understands.

Spurs boss Postecoglou also insisted he wants the 32-year-old to stick around, with Son into his 10th season at the club after he joined in 2015.

Postecoglou added: ‘I don’t always have the final say but certainly I like to think my input is significant on it.

‘I think it is part of a broader discussion around Sonny but the way he is performing and leading the club at the moment, I certainly want him to stick around for a while.’

If Son is unable to recover in time for the clash at Old Trafford, Postecoglou has limited options to play on the left wing.

Timo Werner was used there against Coventry last week, but struggled, while 17-year-old attacker Mikey Moore could be handed a full debut.

Moore caught the eye in pre-season and Postecoglou would have no hesitation in starting him against United.

Asked if Moore was not yet ready to start, Postecoglou insisted: ‘No, I wouldn’t say that.

‘We’ll see with Sonny. Obviously with Wilson (Odobert) out, we’re kind of limited and with Richy (Richarlison) out because Richy can play there as well.

‘Timo and Mikey can certainly come into the frame. We have Deki Kulusevski who can play wide as well so we’ve got some options there, but firstly we’ll see how Sonny is.’

Rasmus Hojlund could make his first starting appearance of the season when Manchester United host Tottenham this weekend.

The Denmark international suffered a hamstring injury during the club’s pre-season tour of the USA with United exercising caution over his return.

Hojlund came off the bench as United chased a winner in vain against FC Twente in the Europa League on Wednesday night and Erik ten Hag will surely consider bringing him in ahead of Joshua Zirkzee on Sunday afternoon with their lack of goals a real issue.

Mason Mount also made his return from injury in the 1-1 draw against Twente. The former Chelsea star started United’s opening two games of the season before being ruled out.

Manuel Ugarte meanwhile got a full 90 minutes under his belt with Casemiro an unused substitute midweek.

Kobbie Mainoo, another introduced off the bench late on, is expected to come back into the starting XI to replace Christian Eriksen.

Erik ten Hag’s decision to leave Marcus Rashford out of the starting XI against Crystal Palace last weekend sparked concerns, with Paul Scholes speculating the forward ‘has been up to something’.

But the manager has rotated his wide options of Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo all season with the latter starting alongside the England international midweek. Garnacho will be hoping for a starting role this weekend.

United picked up no fresh injury problems this week but remain without Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof. Luke Shaw is another still to feature this season with ten Hag suggesting this week his return could be delayed until after October’s international break.

‘I think it’s probably, but I can’t say it’s 100 per cent sure,’ Ten Hag said when asked if Shaw would be back next month. #The plan is just be back before but, as I say I can’t say this for 100 per cent for sure it can be short after the break.’

Tottenham meanwhile welcomed back Yves Bissouma and Timo Werner ahead of last weekend’s win over Brentford but are now without winger Wilson Odebert, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Richarlison is their only other notable absentee.

Predicted Man Utd XI to face Tottenham

Onana, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund

Predicted Tottenham XI to face Man Utd

Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke, Son

Where to watch Man Utd vs Tottenham? Kick-off time and TV channel

Man Utd vs Tottenham kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 29 September.

Live coverage is available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with a live stream available on the Sky Go app and NOW TV.

Ange Postecoglou has defended his decision to substitute Lucas Bergvall and make several changes to his Tottenham side for their last-gasp victory over Coventry City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

Spurs looked to be on the receiving end of an upset as Brandon Thomas-Asante put Coventry ahead in the second half.

However, Djed Spence equalised in the 88th minute before Brennan Johnson scored Spurs’ winner in injury time.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, has faced criticism after his side’s defeat to Arsenal in the north London derby last Sunday and was booed by fans over his decision to replace Bergvall against Coventry.

When asked about the negative reaction he received after Bergvall’s substitution, Postecoglou replied: ‘I don’t make substitutions by poll, mate.

‘So, I’m sure the fans have got their own opinions but, yeah, Lucas, like I said that’s his first sort of significant game time for quite a while. What I didn’t want was us pushing guys over the edge today, that’s why we took Destiny [Udogie] off at half time as well.

‘We already had a couple of injuries, and I had some pretty good players on the bench that I thought could make an impact, but it doesn’t take away from Lucas’s performance. I thought he was outstanding tonight.

‘They they’re going to play a lot of football for us and hopefully getting through tonight, whether it’s 90 minutes for Archie [Gray] or you know, 60, 70 for Lucas, will put them in a good space.’

Postecoglou also defended his decision to make eight changes to his side for the Carabao Cup tie.

‘What I’ve always tried to do is the right thing and the best thing for us in terms of what we’re trying to achieve,’ Postecoglou said.

‘There’s no guarantees with anything you do in football but what I’ve always done is backed my decisions in critical times to always do what I feel is best and if it doesn’t work out then I can live with that but I’m certainly not going to jeopardise what we’re trying to build here by doing something that’s going to make me look like I’m in a safer position.

‘We were always going to play these guys because we have Europe starting next week. The last thing I want to do is throw guys in out of necessity.

‘We need to get game time and tonight some key players for us got some good minutes that mean that when we do have to make changes moving forward, they’ve already played and they’re ready to go.’

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Alan Shearer has urged Tottenham to keep faith with Ange Postecoglou in the wake of their disappointing derby day defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

Despite facing an injury-hit Gunners, Tottenham slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home against Mikel Arteta’s side, their third successive home defeat against their north London rivals.

It continues what has been a stuttering start to the Premier League season for Spurs who have won just one of their first four games and sit 13th in the table.

Postecoglou cut a defiant figure after the match, insisting he will bring silverware to the club this season, and Shearer believes the Australian deserves the backing of the board for now.

‘Ange Postecoglou was brought into the football club because of his style of play and because of his beliefs,’ the former England striker told Betfair.

‘It would be crazy for Spurs or Postecoglou to change that now, and he’s not going to. He plays with a high line, with his full-backs going into midfield and at times, the opposition will catch them out.

‘However, from set-pieces, teams see that as an area to exploit. I don’t know whether that’s the goalkeeper, or the Tottenham set-up, but he’s not changing it.

‘Let us not forget how Ange’s style worked for them in a lot of games last season and it was exciting football, but it is high risk. Sometimes fans have to be patient because it’ll work one week and maybe not so much the other.

‘Spurs must stick with Postecoglou, there’s no doubt about it. Unfortunately, you know as a manager, and as players, that you have to deliver on the pitch and if you don’t, you’ll get criticised.

‘Unfortunately, Tottenham haven’t had a good start to the season.’

Postecoglou was mocked in some quarters after he vowed to win a trophy in his second season at the club, but the Australian was swift to laugh of the naysayers.

‘It’s amazing – I just stated a fact – should I lie? he said on Tuesday. ‘It’s confusing to me – people making a big deal.

‘I am not sure how I am supposed to answer something that’s true and it seems like I upset some people for some reason. Is it me boasting? How am I supposed to answer something?

‘It is true and I am not sure why people think I am boasting about it. If you achieve something, aren’t you supposed to say ‘yes I have, I hope to again’.

‘It is true and my plan is for it to happen this year and if it doesn’t happen then I will say it is mostly – but not always.’

He added: ‘Every game is an opportunity for us to get on that road to success. The cup competitions, there is a definite timeline there so you know you’ve got to win to progress so the focus is there.’

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Jurrien Timber was hailed for his ‘brilliant’ performance in Arsenal’s win at Tottenham despite nearly getting sent off in the north London derby.

The Gunners claimed a 1-0 victory in a tense match last Sunday courtesy of Gabriel Magalhaes’ goal from a corner.

Key to the win was Mikel Arteta’s imperious defence which has conceded just one goal in the opening four Premier League matches – a feat only Liverpool can better.

Timber has finally taken his place in the back-line alongside Benjamin White, Gabriel and William Saliba, having missed almost all of his debut season with an ACL injury following his £34million transfer from Ajax.

And David Seaman is greatly impressed with the bravery of the 23-year-old’s displays following such a painful and lengthy spell on the sidelines.

‘Brilliant, really good,’ the legendary Gunners goalkeeper said when asked about Timber’s performance on the Seaman Says podcast, sponsored by Betway.

‘Because of the injury that he had, there’s always going to be something in your mind about, “is it strong enough yet”. No matter how much rehab you do.

‘You get into a couple of games but they’ll always be little tests on his knee but he’s coming through it.’

Timber did have one very awkward moment against Spurs when he committed a bad foul on Pedro Porro which lead to a brawl between all the players.

The defender was shown a yellow card but avoided a first-half sending off after VAR agreed with referee Jarred Gillett that the challenge was ‘reckless’ but ‘not serious foul play’, though not everyone agreed.

Seaman defended the Dutchman however, adding: ‘He was trying to do that trick where they put their foot on the ball and then roll it round.

‘That’s what it was. There was nothing malicious about that he just put his foot on top of the ball and it rolled and it didn’t roll with his stud showing.’

Timber will be back in action on Thursday night when Arsenal kick-off their Champions League campaign against Atalanta before a huge clash at top of the table Manchester City on Sunday.

But despite City’s star player Erling Haaland beginning the season in formidable form – nine goals in four games – Seaman is confident Arsenal’s defence can stop the striker after locking him out last season.

‘Gabriel and Saliba have done well against him in the past, they get quite physical with him. They know how to mark him, they’ve got a system.’

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Ange Postecoglou has dismissed the suggestion that tiredness played a part in the error committed by Cristian Romero that led to the decisive moment in Sunday’s north London derby defeat against Arsenal.

The Gunners won a tight contest thanks to a second half Gabriel Magalhaes header which came after the Brazil international had easily escaped the attentions of Romero.

Tottenham’s defensive linchpin was heavily criticised for his role in the goal and after the match appeared, by retweeting a post on X that was subsequently deleted, to criticise his club’s decision not to put on private travel that would have seen him arrive back from international duty earlier.

‘It wasn’t mentioned to me before the game,’ said Postecogulou when asked about Romero’s social media activity prior to tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup tie at Coventry.

‘I knew nothing about it. The players got back on Thursday and we had a Sunday game. No one reported anything other than the usual checks of people coming back from international duty so prior to the game – no one said anything.’

Postecoglou, meanwhile, did not escape criticism himself following a third straight defeat against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and was mocked in some quarters after he vowed to win a trophy in his second season at the club.

‘It’s amazing – I just stated a fact – should I lie? he said. ‘It’s confusing to me – people making a big deal.

‘I am not sure how I am supposed to answer something that’s true and it seems like I upset some people for some reason. Is it me boasting? How am I supposed to answer something?

‘It is true and I am not sure why people think I am boasting about it. If you achieve something, aren’t you supposed to say ‘yes I have, I hope to again’.

‘It is true and my plan is for it to happen this year and if it doesn’t happen then I will say it is mostly – but not always.’

He added: ‘Every game is an opportunity for us to get on that road to success. The cup competitions, there is a definite timeline there so you know you’ve got to win to progress so the focus is there.’

Paul Merson has insisted that James Maddison must improve his level of performance after another flat display for Tottenham against Arsenal.

Despite facing an Arsenal side without Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, Spurs failed to find a breakthrough and were ultimately punished by Gabriel’s second-half header.

Spurs’ blunt attacking display is in sharp contrast to their free-flowing start under Ange Postecoglou and Merson believes that key players must hold themselves responsible.

‘Last season was better than this season,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘They were mind-blowing. As a neutral, I do like watching Tottenham, I like Ange, they play entertaining football – but some of the big players need to step up.’

Merson earmarked Maddison as one name, in particular, who must improve. The 27-year-old has two assists and no goals so far this season and is yet to return to the same electric form seen before a lengthy ankle injury midway through last season.

‘James Maddison wasn’t great on Sunday, he has got to step up. He’s got to be better. He’s playing in a position where you’ve got to make things happen,’ the former Arsenal midfielder added.

‘I don’t personally think he did that on Sunday and looking at who he was playing up against, he has to be better.

‘I’m not digging him out because I’m a huge fan of his, but I’ve played that position and know that he needs to do better.’

Merson though, remained positive about Postecoglou’s side and backed them to hit their attacking stride if they improve in one key area.

‘There’s not a lot wrong, but if you look at them and look at Newcastle, Tottenham have been playing better over the first three games – but Newcastle have more points than them. These are fine lines,’ he added.

‘If they get top four, that would be amazing. They will need Solanke to get 20 goals, and you only get 20 goals if the crossing improves.

‘If that doesn’t improve, you could put Haaland up there and he wouldn’t get 20.’

Spurs will look to get back to winning ways in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday when they face Championship side Coventry City.

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Gabriel was fortunate to see his goal stand in the north London derby on Sunday, believe Arsenal hero Paul Merson and former Tottenham star Les Ferdinand.

The Brazilian defender scored the only goal of the game as the Gunners picked up a vital away win despite being without key players Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Spurs as they had plenty of possession and efforts on goal, but struggled to break down a disciplined Arsenal side and didn’t create many clear-cut chances.

It was also a frustration for the home fans as they conceded a straight forward goal from a set-piece as Gabriel headed in the winner and frustrations will have turned to anger after seeing the replay.

The Arsenal man clearly shoved Spurs defender Cristian Romero in the back to make room for himself before the header, which even Gunners icon Merson admitted was a foul.

‘I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get a foul,’ Merson told Sky Sports. ‘He [Romero] is in the wrong position, everything is wrong about his defending.

‘He’s a centre half international, even I know and I don’t even play at the back you got to be side on. You got to see the ball and your player.

‘To start off you have to be a hand length away and he’s standing with him. I’d expect a foul.’

Ferdinand agreed, saying he was surprised that VAR didn’t have something to say on the issue.

‘I think if a centre forward does that, the referee gives a foul against him,’ said the former Spurs striker.

‘They don’t even look at it . He does need to be stronger. It’s poor defending but he does get a shove in his back.’

Arsenal legend Ian Wright was not quite so clear cut on the decision, but admitted it could have been given as a free-kick to Spurs.

‘I was very surprised with Romero, it feels very easy for a defender of his calibre to be moved out of the way,’ Wright told Premier League Productions.

‘I think it could have been a foul but not enough maybe. That just seems very simple when you look at the proximity from the goal and where he headed it in, It’s a very easy goal for Arsenal to score.’

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