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Igor Tudor brings in new coaching trio at Tottenham

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Tottenham assistant sacked after just one month as Igor Tudor brings in new coaching team

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Tottenham Hotspur interim boss Igor Tudor has moved swiftly to reshape his backroom staff, bringing in three new coaches following the dismissal of Justin Cochrane and John Heitinga.

The changes come in the wake of Thomas Frank’s sacking last week.

Heitinga only arrived at the club on 15 January, but has now been shown the exit door.

He was previously part of Arne Slot’s coaching staff at Liverpool last season when the Reds stormed to the Premier League title, but left Anfield last summer to pursue a job in management.

Heitinga was named Ajax boss before the start of the season but lasted just 15 games in charge as he was sacked in November after a poor run of form.

Frank’s seven-month tenure at the club concluded last Wednesday, a day after a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United left Spurs languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

Press Association understands that Cochrane, Heitinga, and Chris Haslam have all now departed the North London club.

Tudor is set to introduce Ivan Javorcic as his assistant coach, Riccardo Raganacci as physical coach, and Tomislav Rogic as goalkeeper coach.

Cochrane and Haslam had joined Spurs last summer, having previously worked with Frank at Brentford.

Cochrane, who began his coaching career at Tottenham and was instrumental in bringing Frank to the club, had been billed as making a special return.

Both he and Haslam have now followed Frank out of the exit door. Heitinga’s spell at Spurs was particularly brief, lasting only a month after he was hired by Frank on 15 January, following Matt Wells’ departure for Colorado Rapids.

Tudor’s new coaching team – Javorcic, Raganacci, and Rogic – are familiar faces to the Croatian, having worked alongside him in his previous role at Juventus. Their official start at Tottenham is contingent on securing work permits.

Man City midfielder Rodri faces potential ban for rant on refereeing after Tottenham draw

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Manchester City midfielder Rodri faces a potential ban after allegedly questioning the integrity of officials.

The Spain international said referees “have to be neutral” after City’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham in the Premier League on 1 February.

The Football Association announced on Friday that the Spain international had been charged with misconduct over his remarks, which were made in a TV interview with an Australian broadcaster.

City, who had led the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 2-0, were frustrated that Dominic Solanke’s first goal in Spurs’ fightback was not disallowed for a foul on Marc Guehi by referee Robert Jones.

Rodri said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it’s not fair.

“It’s not fair because we work so hard in these situations and now to make these decisions, we have to move on.

“Of course you need to come back but at the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it’s so clear, the foul.”

A statement from the FA read: “Manchester City’s Rodri has been charged with misconduct in relation to comments that he made after their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday February 1, 2026.

“It’s alleged that the midfielder acted in an improper manner during a post-match media interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official and/or match officials, contrary to FA Rule 3.1.”

Rodri has been given until Wednesday 18 February to respond.

The matter will be adjudicated by an independent panel with suspension a potential sanction.

In 2023, then Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was handed a touchline ban after suggesting referee Paul Tierney had “something against” his side.

However, there is no set punishment for the breach of this FA rule, meaning any penalty could vary from previous instances.

Tottenham are a giant mess after sacking Thomas Frank and the blame is clear

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Tottenham are a giant mess after sacking Thomas Frank and the blame is clear - The Independent
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Almost immediately, during Thomas Frank’s brief time in charge, certain figures at Tottenham Hotspur realised that the adjustment might be more difficult than anticipated. The Dane had asked a casual and understandable question about squad “discipline” and how it was taken care of.

At Brentford, after all, the club was so meticulously structured that staff members were assigned to such responsibilities.

At Spurs, this was the manager’s job.

The difference offers one of many reasons that explain why Frank failed – and more spectacularly than anyone could have imagined – but also, why Spurs still have so much to fix.

The identity of the head coach is only the most immediate of their problems, to say nothing of survival.

Frank walked into “a basket case of a club”, multiple sources tellThe Independent, but also created many big problems of his own.

On that issue of discipline, Frank’s control over the group is understood to have been “loose”, which eventually gave way to total collapse.

Although an expensive squad, it was not one primed and focused for success in the way Arsenal are, to use an example ill-advisedly repeated by Frank on a regular basis. Tactical messages weren’t sinking in, partly because they weren’t convincing. So many messages were geared toward defensive protection rather than taking the game to the opposition. The best performances seemed to come when the squad took matches into their own hands, which some sources maintain was a continuation of last season’s Europa League campaign. The same injury issues also persisted.

The 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United just proved the football nadir that no one could go beyond. It was like something had finally gone. Players were now losing almost every duel. Newcastle, a team going through real struggles themselves, were enjoying a rare amount of space.

This has been coming.

It’s why some of the Spurs leadership felt they should sack Frank as long ago as four months ago, The Independent understands. They could see this. Certain figures in the hierarchy then pushed that again just before Christmas, until it became a repeated subject of debate every Saturday over January.

Figures close to the board were even complaining about “Groundhog Day” as it felt like they were having the same discussion every weekend.

The 2-1 home defeat to West Ham proved especially painful, which really should have been the point of no return. The atmosphere in the stadium was toxic. This was a licence to act.

As it was, a core of the hierarchy – led by chief executive Vinai Venkatesham – pointed to multiple bigger issues around Frank; precisely these issues of “structure” that the new leadership now realised they had to solve. Sources say Venkatesham and others gestured to Frank’s adaptation, the ongoing injury crisis and the more important idea of taking the long view.

The short term – in other words, every single match – just kept making that stance untenable. To repeat a phrase used about Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, you can appeal all the extraneous reasons you want, but performances were unwatchable and results unjustifiable. As with Amorim, Spurs were performing to a level which just shouldn’t be possible with their wage bill. It was chronic underperformance.

This ongoing split in the hierarchy nevertheless points to this bigger problem, which is not just how the next manager is decided on, but how such decisions are taken at Spurs at all.

Such was Daniel Levy’s control that there has been an obvious vacuum since he left in September. The primary authorities now are the family of former owner Joe Lewis, who now runs the club through a trust. Daughter Vivienne Lewis is the most involved of those, with son-in-law Nick Beucher also influential. They are still very much getting to grips with the football industry, though. And while there is considerable respect for Venkatesham in the game, he is seen as someone who tries to come to consensus conclusions rather than assertively make decisions.

Noise about a prospective takeover only adds to the uncertainty. This is repeatedly denied, but the point is that this is not how you acquire stability.

None of this would be a problem, however, if Spurs had a functioning football structure. They’ve instead lost a director of football and now another manager in the space of a few months, as they work to build something that an elite modern club should have. Too much had been built towards Levy for far too long.

Hence, as more than one former coach has pointed out, they have constantly seemed to shift from one profile of coach to the opposite. An ill-fitting squad is a product of that. Worse, “that squad has multiple football scars,” to quote one source. The majority have mostly experienced dysfunction while at the club.

From that, it should be acknowledged that there was a logic to appointing Frank. The analytics gave a persuasive case, ultimately convincing Levy, and the Dane had repeatedly spoken of wanting to play a more expansive game with better resources – including in interviews to Manchester United and Chelsea.

The core problem was that Frank couldn’t work to the same level without the structure around him, and quickly found himself overwhelmed. That became seen in media interviews, where the Dane had previously cut such a rounded figure. The extra scrutiny of a club like Spurs weighed on him. Unlike at Brentford, you couldn’t go three months without winning a game while being allowed to find your feet.

The noise around the club, as was heard in the stands, became too much. Once it got so toxic during that West Ham defeat, there was really no recovery.

That’s why there was an even greater logic in dispensing with Frank long before. The signs were clear.

The Spurs hierarchy is now so conscious of this “toxicity” among the fanbase that they realise they need a “unity candidate”. That has led to the obvious and ideal choice of Mauricio Pochettino. Some on the board are pushing to make it happen now.

It is understood that there has repeatedly been informal contact over 2026.

The feeling is nevertheless that Pochettino won’t leave the US job before the World Cup. Spurs would consider an interim until then, but there aren’t too many viable candidates. Johnny Heitinga may step up.

As multiple sources argue, “this sums it up – outside Pochettino, it looks like they don’t currently have a proper plan”. That’s partly why some just hoped that Frank would work out, even for a time. They were hoping for space. That’s also why they could go in a total opposite direction, and seek to get Roberto De Zerbi in. Again, it’s one extreme to another.

Spurs at least have another 11 days before their next game to figure this out. On the other side of that, though, it’s a north London derby against the league leaders. If Arsenal win, as they should, it will only show that Spurs are very much running out of time in another way.

They’re in a relegation battle. That puts them in another unenviable situation, in that they have to think about the short-term, medium-term and long-term all at once.

Like so many of Frank’s performances, it is one big mess.

Thomas Frank sacked by Tottenham Hotspur after dismal run of results

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Thomas Frank sacked by Tottenham Hotspur after dismal run of results

Miguel Delaney

Wednesday 11 February 2026 10:11 GMT

Tottenham have sacked head coach Thomas Frank after just eight months in charge of the club.

The decision follows an eight-game winless run in domestic competitions for Spurs.

Tottenham suffered their seventh home league defeat of the season on Tuesday, losing 2-1 to Newcastle.

Fan dissatisfaction had been growing due to poor results, including dropped points against Burnley and a recent loss to Manchester United.

Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou, leaves Tottenham six points above the Premier League's relegation zone and out of domestic cup competitions.

The brutal Spurs chants that could seal Thomas Frank’s fate

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Pressure mounts on Thomas Frank after latest Tottenham defeat. The board now have a decision to make

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Pressure mounts on Frank after Tottenham lose at home to Newcastle - The Independent
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Jacob Ramsey’s decisive goal secured a crucial 2-1 Premier League victory for Newcastle, intensifying pressure on manager Thomas Frank and deepening Tottenham’s alarming relegation fears.

Tottenham’s dismal domestic form, compounded by 11 absentees, is fuelling survival fears, with this latest abject display underscoring the north London club’s crisis.

Malick Thiaw’s stoppage-time effort gave Newcastle a deserved half-time lead, leading to boos for Tottenham’s players and chants for former boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Archie Gray equalised in the 64th minute, but Ramsey swept home the winner four minutes later, inflicting a fifth defeat in nine matches on Tottenham, who have won just two of their last 17 league games.

Frank faced "you’re getting sacked in the morning" chants from his own supporters, leaving ownership with a major decision on the head coach, with their next fixture against rivals Arsenal just 12 days away.

This was a meeting between two of the league's most out-of-form clubs and the tension of the occasion was evident in Tottenham, especially after two balls flashed over the crossbar from two early Newcastle corners.

Xavi Simons dragged an effort wide soon after for Spurs, but it failed to halt the nervous energy filtering throughout the team.

Willock's low effort off target only increased anxiety inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and when goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario flapped at a catchable cross in the 20th minute, the disgruntled home fan base were ready to erupt before Ramsey sent a second strike inches past the post.

Tottenham's list of absentees extended on the half-hour mark when Wilson Odobert suffered a potentially serious knee injury but the introduction of Mathys Tel was greeted with big cheers.

It failed to halt Newcastle's momentum and after Dan Burn headed wide, the visitors did have the ball in the net.

Ramsey found Willock, who cut inside and curled into the bottom corner after 43 minutes, but it was ruled out after a VAR intervention with the tip of Willock's head deemed offside.

The let-off for Spurs was not heeded and Newcastle finally took the lead in deserved fashion in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

After an initial corner was cleared, Willock produced a fine cross to the back post and even though Vicario saved Thiaw's first header, the Magpies defender showed great desire to get to the loose ball and fire home the opener.

Boos followed at half-time and the second period was only four minutes old when Tottenham fans in the South Stand chanted for Pochettino.

It sparked life into Spurs as Tel unsuccessfully tried his luck from range before a fine Gray run teed up Tel for another chance, but the substitute blazed over.

Pape Sarr forced Nick Pope into action for the first time in the 54th minute and 10 minutes later Tottenham did level.

A corner from Xavi was headed back across goal by Sarr and Gray nodded in, but home joy was short-lived.

Conor Gallagher's poor pass ended a Spurs counter-attack and Anthony Gordon dribbled into the area before he teed up Ramsey to sweep home.

Frank turned to his bench with Randal Kolo Muani introduced, but Van de Ven fired over Tottenham's last genuine chance in stoppage time and Frank faced more chants for his departure before full-time.

It was despair for Spurs but relief for Newcastle and Eddie Howe after they ended a run of three straight league defeats.

West Ham vs Manchester United live: Team news and line-ups from Premier League today

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West Ham vs Man United live: Michael Carrick’s side bid for five wins in a row in Premier League

Man United will look to move into third as they travel to the capital bidding for a fifth straight Premier League win

West Ham face Manchester United in the Premier League with the visitors hoping to move into third as they look for a fifth straight league win since Michael Carrick took charge.

United cruised to a 2-0 win over Tottenham last week after a Cristian Romero red card effectively ended the game as a contest, but while they have now risen to fourth after four wins from four to begin Carrick’s tenure, they might face a tough test against a resurgent West Ham side.

The Hammers begin the week in 18th after their win over Burnley at the weekend, and while Nuno Espirito Santo’s side remain three points adrift of safety, the win over Sunderland and the performance against Chelsea show that they can provide a stern test for most teams in the league.

Follow the latest team news and updates from the London Stadium below:

If it ain't broke...

Michael Carrick is going with the ‘if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it’ approach and once again does not change his side from the previous outing, which saw Man United comfortably beat Tottenham.

West Ham, meanwhile, make just the one alteration, swapping Callum Wilson for Freddie Potts. Taty Castellanos and Crysencio Summerville, the goalscorers in the 2-0 win over Burnley, start for the Hammers.

Will Castle10 February 2026 19:08

CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS!

West Ham XI: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Soucek, Potts; Bowen, M. Fernandes, Summerville; Castellanos.

Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Diallo, B. Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.

Will Castle10 February 2026 19:02

Team news

Line-ups will be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides...

West Ham remain without suspended Jean-Clair Todibo and injured goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, with Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi set for his home bow.

United have no new injury concerns, with Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount and Patrick Dorgu still the only players sidelined.

Chris Wilson10 February 2026 18:50

Carrick: 'We've got a lot to fight for'

Here’s what Man Utd interim boss Michael Carrick had to say on his side and tonight’s opponents:

"We do seem to be a team that can cause a lot of problems and create opportunities and score goals, so it's definitely getting the balance right. There's still things to improve on, it's definitely something we've focused on, trying to be better as a team collectively when we don't have the ball,” said the former midfielder on his side and keeping clean sheets.

He added that West Ham will be “fighting” for a result, but explained: “So are we. We've got a lot to fight for, so you'd like to think that balances out in some ways and it's who can come out on top at the end of it, but sure, we're totally aware of what we're going into on Tuesday night and how difficult it will be."

Chris Wilson10 February 2026 18:40

Bruno Fernandes hails ‘great manager’ Michael Carrick after Man United extend winning run

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes heaped praise on “great manager” Michael Carrick after he masterminded a fourth-straight victory.

Fernandes scored late on at Old Trafford to round off a professional 2-0 Premier League triumph over 10-man Tottenham on Saturday to move United to within three points of third-placed Aston Villa.

It took Carrick’s overall record as United boss to six wins in seven matches – after a three-game spell in 2021 – and Fernandes revealed what he told his current boss four years ago.

Fernandes hails ‘great manager’ Carrick after Man United extend winning run

Carrick has won six of his seven matches as Manchester United boss across two spells

Chris Wilson10 February 2026 18:30

Match stats

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen has scored three goals in his last five Premier League games against Manchester United, while no Hammers player has scored more against the Red Devils in the competition than Bowen (3).

Bruno Fernandes has been involved in 10 goals in his last eight away Premier League appearances (2 goals, 8 assists).

Matheus Cunha has had a hand in four goals in his last five away Premier League appearances for Manchester United (3 goals, 1 assist).

Chris Wilson10 February 2026 18:20

Luckless Thomas Frank rues what might have been as Bryan Mbeumo punishes Spurs

And here’s the report from United’s 2-0 win over Spurs, courtesy of Richsrd Jolly:

Thomas Frank may have been vindicated. Sadly for him, he was beaten in the process. Under Frank, Bryan Mbeumo scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford last season. When the Dane joined Tottenham, he hoped to lure Mbeumo across London with him.

Instead, Mbeumo joined Manchester United, and with a certain inevitability, he, along with Bruno Fernandes, duly scored in their 2-0 victory over Spurs. He has struck home and away against Tottenham this season. Spurs also targeted Eberechi Eze, who went to Arsenal and got a hat-trick against them. That may be the story of Frank’s Tottenham, a tale of what might have been. A defeat shaped by the first-half red card of his captain, Cristian Romero, for a lunge at Casemiro, worsened his plight. Frank’s detractors may suggest he is hapless. He can certainly look luckless.

Luckless Thomas Frank rues what might have been as Bryan Mbeumo punishes Spurs

Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham: Frank wanted Spurs to sign Mbeumo last summer but instead the former Brentford striker went to Old Trafford and scored against his former boss’s team

Richard Jolly10 February 2026 18:10

Scott Parker and Burnley’s woes go on as West Ham secure important victory

Here’s the report from West Ham’s win over Burnley at the weekend...

West Ham moved to within three points of safety and pushed Burnley a step closer to relegation with a 2-0 win that saw sections of the Turf Moor crowd turn on Scott Parker.

Crysencio Summerville scored for a fifth straight game 13 minutes in and when Taty Castellanos doubled the lead 13 minutes later, it felt like game over not just for the afternoon, but for Burnley’s season as a whole as they were left 11 points adrift of 17th place.

Without a win in 16 league matches – one shy of a club record that dates from 1889-90 – Burnley could not take advantage of a home fixture against a West Ham side who travelled north with only one win in their last 10 on the road, but who left within touching distance of Nottingham Forest.

Scott Parker and Burnley’s woes go on as West Ham secure important victory

Burnley 0-2 West Ham: The home side look set for a return to the Championship

Chris Wilson10 February 2026 18:00

When is West Ham vs Manchester United?

West Ham’s clash with Manchester United kicks off at 8:15pm GMT on Tuesday 10 February at the London Stadium.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the UK will be able to watch the match on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage starting at 7pm. Subscribers can also stream the game on discovery+.

Chris Wilson10 February 2026 17:50

Predicted line-ups

West Ham XI: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Soucek, Potts; Bowen, M. Fernandes, Summerville; Castellanos.

Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Diallo, B. Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.

Chris Wilson10 February 2026 17:45

Is Tottenham vs Newcastle on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch Premier League clash

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It’s the clash of the under-pressure managers as Thomas Frank’s Tottenham and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle clash in the Premier League, with both desperate for a positive result.

A week on from salvaging a point against Manchester City, Spurs were back to losing ways at Old Trafford on Saturday and are now drifting dangerously close to a relegation battle, just as the teams below them are beginning to find form.

Newcastle, meanwhile, suffered another home defeat on the weekend as Brentford snatched a late winner at St James’s Park, leaving the club 12th.

Howe has insisted that he remains the right man for the job but a poor outcome against one of the league’s most out-of-form teams could prove the final straw for the club’s hierarchy, and vice versa for Frank.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash.

Is Tottenham vs Newcastle on TV?

Tottenham’s clash with Newcastle kicks off at 7:30pm GMT on Tuesday 10 February at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the UK will be able to watch the match on TNT Sports 3, with coverage starting at 7pm. Subscribers can also stream the game on discovery+.

Team news

Tottenham are without Cristian Romero for three games due to suspension, while Destiny Udogie joins the plethora of injury absentees with a thigh problem. Djed Spence could make his return from a calf issue in a rare positive fitness update.

Lewis Miley is in a race against time to recover from a knee injury in time for the trip south, with Joelinton, Emil Krafth and Anthony Gordon also unlikely to feature. Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento remain out with longer-term problems.

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Palhinha, Gallagher; Simons, Solanke, Kolo Muani.

Manchester United vs Tottenham live: Latest team news and line-ups from Premier League

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Man Utd vs Tottenham live: Carrick aims to continue winning streak against under pressure Frank

The Red Devils have won all three of their matches under the interim boss and host 14th placed Spurs at Old Trafford

Manchester United host Tottenham in the Premier League’s early kick off this afternoon knowing that a victory will keep them in the top four and take them one step closer to securing Champions League qualification.

The feeling of hope has returned to Old Trafford since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as head coach with the former United midfielder orchestrating three wins from his first three matches in charge. Carrick’s United have seen off both Manchester City and Arsenal before the restoration of ‘Fergie-time’ saw Benjamin Sesko steal all three points against Fulham late in stoppage time in their previous outing.

Carrick’s goal is to guide United to a top four (possibly top five) finish and guarantee them Champions League football next season and he has made the perfect start.

Today, United take on a struggled Tottenham side but Thomas Frank’s side will have gained confidence in the way they salvaged a 2-2 draw against Manchester City last weekend. The spotlight is still shining brightly on whether the Dane can turnaround the club’s league form and a win away at Old Trafford would ease the pressure.

Follow all the updates from the Premier League with our live blog below:

Michael Carrick explores Tottenham past and love of Man Utd ahead of crucial Premier League test

Michael Carrick finds himself up against Thomas Frank just five months on from interviewing the Tottenham boss as Manchester United’s head coach hunts a fourth win on the bounce.

The 44-year-old has enjoyed a dream start to his reign for the remainder of the campaign, with wins against Manchester City and Arsenal followed by last Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 victory against Fulham.

Michael Carrick explores Spurs past and love of Man Utd ahead of Premier League test

The United boss will share the Old Trafford touchline with a coach he interviewed last year ahead of Frank’s first Champions League game.

Mike Jones7 February 2026 11:00

Dorgu set for spell on sidelines

Patrick Dorgu has been a revelation under Michael Carrick but an injury means he’s set to be absent for most of the remaining season.

Carrick could not offer an specific return date but confirmed Dorgu would be missing for ‘weeks’.

“We’re working through it. It’ll definitely be a number of weeks,” the United boss explained of Dorgu’s injury.

“It will be a considerable period of time. He’s not going to be back in the next two or three weeks. To be more exact is a little bit difficult, at this moment.

"It could possibly be [10 weeks], we’re working through it. Certainly, we’re looking forward to getting him back as quickly as we can and getting on the pitch long before the end of the season.”

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:54

Frank on Tottenham's transfer business

Was January a good transfer window for the struggling Spurs?

“We signed Conor Gallagher, who is a quality player for the starting XI,” Thomas Frank explained.

“Of course, he needs to perform, and no one has promised any position, but we signed a quality player and we signed a young player for the future.

“I think if you compare that to a lot of the other Premier League clubs, I think that is very good. I think where we are is okay. We tried to do more, but it was not possible for whatever reason.

“I said it the whole time that it is very, very important that we take good decisions and are calm. It needs to be for the short-term and the long-term.”

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:48

Thomas Frank provides injury updates on Spurs squad

Ahead of this crucial Premier League clash, Thomas Frank gave an update into the fitness of the Tottenham squad and was boosted by the return of Micky van de Ven.

“Everyone, mostly, is okay. Micky trained today and is available for selection for Saturday, so that’s good,” Frank admitted.

“Djed [Spence] is getting closer, it will be touch and go and there's a good chance he'll be ready.”

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:42

Michael Carrick admits winning late at Old Trafford is ‘the best feeling’

Michael Carrick savoured “the best feeling” after watching Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time winner earn Manchester United a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fulham.

“It’s the best feeling I have to say,” Carrick said of winning the game in what he knew as ‘Fergie time’ when a player here. “Some of the best moments I’ve been part of here, you can dissect performances and there are plusses and not, and then you get a moment of elation and excitement like that.

“For me there’s no better place than in front of the Stretford End like that. It ends up meaning more. People leave here with more than just, ‘United won today’ – it’s layers on top of that, the emotion and the feeling and it’s why we all love it so much.”

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:36

The ‘Manchester United Way’ is back as ‘Fergie Time’ win over Fulham restores feelgood factor

When Manchester United scored their injury-time winner, the cameras panned to Sir Alex Ferguson, because that is what happens at such moments. It was Fergie Time.

It was also a Carrick scoreline, though. A second successive 3-2 win, a third in the six matches Michael Carrick has overseen – including three in 2021 – seemed confirmation that, calm a character as the head coach is, he can preside over some dramatic, terrific matches.

Manchester United Way is back: ‘Fergie Time’ win over Fulham restores feelgood factor

Manchester United 3-2 Fulham: Benjamin Sesko scores stoppage-time winner as hosts continue dream start to life under Michael Carrick

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:30

Tottenham's injury concerns

Thomas Frank will hope to welcome back Micky van de Ven, who missed the City draw with a minor problem, and Dominic Solanke is expected to be fit despite being withdrawn early in that game with a rolled ankle.

Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur are among those out with longer-term injuries, while Saturday will come too soon for the returns of Richarlison and Pedro Porro.

Predicted Tottenham XI: Vicario; Gray, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Gallagher, Palhinha, Sarr; Kolo Muani, Simons, Solanke.

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:24

Manchester United's early team news

United should welcome back Mason Mount after taking a knock in training ahead of the Fulham clash.

Patrick Dorgu and Matthijs de Ligt remain sidelined.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:18

How can I watch the game?

Viewers in the UK can watch the game on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Ultimate, with coverage starting at 11am.

Subscribers can also stream the match on discovery+.

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:12

When is Manchester United vs Tottenham?

Manchester United’s clash with Tottenham kicks off at 12:30pm GMT on Saturday 7 February at Old Trafford.

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:06