United In Focus - Manchester United FC News

Manchester United take a severely weakened side to London this weekend to take on Tottenham Hotspur with a week which saw four fresh injuries.

Ruben Amorim’s preparations to face Tottenham Hotspur couldn’t have been worse with four new injuries picked up in training for Manchester United.

With Lisandro Martinez already facing between six and 10 months out injured, this week saw three more starts ruled out.

Amad Diallo’s season could be over after he suffered ankle ligament damage, although he is yet to have had a timetable placed on his possible return.

Saturday also brought news that Kobbie Mainoo is out for weeks, along with Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer expected to miss the game against Spurs.

So Amorim’s line-up on Sunday will be interesting and could even see the academy heavily represented with Jack Moorhouse joining the first-team squad, along with Chido Obi, Sekou Kone and Harry Amass – according to Academy Scoop.

How an injury-struck Manchester United will line-up

Manchester United’s line-up this weekend will be one which is far from full strength. However, there is an opportunity for players to establish themselves in the absence of star players.

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So here is how we are predicting Amorim’s United will line-up at the London stadium.

Andre Onana

Starting in goal, Andre Onana is one player sure to start with the injury status of Altay Bayindir unknown – Elyh Harrison will be on the bench.

Matthijs de Ligt

The back three will come with the notable exclusion of Martinez, so on the right we have Matthijs de Ligt starting.

Harry Maguire

At centre centre-back, Harry Maguire is tailor-made for the role and will be pivotal from now until the end of the season.

Leny Yoro

There is a slim chance Ayden Heaven will start for his debut, but it’s more likely that Leny Yoro will slot in on the left, albeit he is slightly unnatural here.

Diogo Dalot

The experiment of using Diogo Dalot on the left needs to end and so against Spurs, we would have him in his more natural right wing-back role.

Casemiro

The injuries to both Collyer and Ugarte should mean Casemiro is back in the team after just two short cameos since the turn of the year. Kone is with the squad and could be set for a debut if the Brazilian struggles.

Bruno Fernandes

One star not missing is Bruno Fernandes and his talents will be needed more than ever on Sunday. As a central midfielder, Bruno can dictate play and will need to be on top form here.

Patrick Dorgu

After a decent debut, in which he was withdrawn at half-time, Patrick Dorgu should be starting again here but this time on the left – where he was signed to play.

Jack Moorhouse

With the absence of Amad, United are very short in the No.10 position. Due to this a debut for Jack Moorhouse could be on the cards. Moorhouse is ready to step up for Amorim and could break through here.

Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho has all of a sudden become undroppable for United, with club staff no doubt delighted he wasn’t sold in January.

Joshua Zirkzee

Manchester United had nine days without a game, but extra time on the training pitch has led to injury woes for Ruben Amorim.

Ruben Amorim had plenty to smile about last Friday after Manchester United beat Leicester City in the FA Cup.

More than anything else, Amorim would have been excited about extra training sessions working with his players. This is something which was rare in the first few months of his reign due to the timing of his appointment.

United should benefit from this extra time to learn the system and what Amorim demands from them – but there have been negatives this week.

Amorim has eluded to injury problems within the squad, and now details of this have emerged.

Manchester United to be without three midfielders against Tottenham Hotspur

Speaking on Friday, Amorim revealed injury concerns had emerged this week, which he explained had led to youngsters joining first-team training – including Chido Obi.

However, Amorim didn’t mention any names.

Now, three injury blows have been outlined by Laurie Whitwell for The Athletic.

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The report claims Kobbie Mainoo is out injured and faces more than a few weeks on the sidelines. Meanwhile, both Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer are seen to be serious doubts after problems in training.

Concerningly, the three blows are all in midfield which leaves Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen as the trio available to Amorim.

To combat these injuries, Amorim has drafted Jack Moorhouse into the first team – which Obi and James Scanlon could join him.

Ruben Amorim’s possible midfield to face Spurs

This is far from ideal for Amorim as he would have wanted to have had his team at full complement for this game, but he can still name a solid group.

In the midfield two there is a real predicament on who plays in the more defensive role alongside Bruno – with Sekou Kone unlikely to be called up.

This means Amorim could have to use Casemiro – something he has made clear isn’t something he wants to do. Casemiro will stay at United until the summer at least, so a start here looks likely.

In the two No.10 roles we expect Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo to start – however, a Moorhouse cameo looks very likely right now.

Ruben Amorim is facing a new injury crisis ahead of Manchester United’s trip to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Sunday.

Over the past week, Ruben Amorim was finally given the chance to do what he has been waiting for over the past three months.

Amorim has had nine days between games, which has allowed Manchester United to spend plenty of time on the training ground – something which has been scarce since Amorim took charge.

Having been appointed before the busiest period of the season, Amorim had barely any time with his team in the opening two months of his reign.

This in theory should mean on Sunday against Tottenham, we see the best version of United since Ineos made the managerial change.

However, speaking to the press on Friday, Amorim suggested that his week of training had not exactly gone to plan.

Chido Obi in consideration to face Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United’s squad has been almost at full strength lately with only a few players out injured.

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So with a week of work on the training ground, we would have expected United in a better situation after this period but Amorim has suggested this won’t be the case.

In his pre-Spurs press conference, Amorim spoke about injuries and admitted a couple of players had knocks which left their involvement on Sunday uncertain.

Due to this, Amorim explained that youngsters had been drafted into first-team training – including Chido Obi.

Obi is fresh off scoring an FA Youth Cup hat-trick and now according to Academy Scoop, his week could get even better.

The reliable United academy news account claimed that the 17-year-old is in line for senior involvement this weekend against Spurs.

This would be the first time Obi got the chance to step up and it would be incredibly interesting to see how his game translates to senior football.

Considering Amorim has had a good look at Obi, if he is called to the squad it must be for good reason.

Is Chido Obi ready for Manchester United debut?

The ability of the Dane is clear, with Rio Ferdinand previously labelling Obi a ‘big talent’. However at just 17, stepping up is not something we should expect, rather the coaches will know when it is right.

The goal record of Obi is hard to look beyond, but over the past few weeks, it is his all-round game which has been coming on leaps and bounds.

Obi has been consistently linking up play, holding the ball up and also contributing defensively with his press leading from the front. Adam Lawrence praised Obi for this during the 5-1 win over Chelsea.

It is incredibly hard to determine if Obi is ready, with the struggles offensively in the United first-team likely to make his integration more difficult.

However, the teenager also looks more rounded than either of United’s senior strikers and so Amorim may have reached the point of just assuming Obi could be no worse.

If Obi does debut, it’s vital fans don’t overreact either way, if he scores or doesn’t score.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has claimed that he will be “shocked” if one specific team wins Tottenham and Manchester United’s Premier League match on Sunday.

Manchester United will travel to north London for their encounter with Spurs, with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm UK time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Red Devils have won only two of their last five Premier League fixtures ahead of Sunday’s match, with Ruben Amorim’s men 13th in the table this season.

United have only managed eight Premier League wins in the 2024-25 campaign after 24 matches and Ruben Amorim’s side are 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

The Red Devils are 14 points adrift from the Premier League top four and United’s hopes of finishing in a Champions League qualification place are all but over.

United lost 2-0 on their last Premier League outing against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford before bouncing back with a win in the FA Cup last week.

Amorim’s men came from behind to beat Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City side 2-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup and punched their ticket to the fifth round.

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Merson’s message to Man Utd boss Amorim

Tottenham have suffered their own setback this season and Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is under immense pressure ahead of this weekend’s match.

Spurs are 14th in the Premier League table and Tottenham are two points behind 13th-place Manchester United amid their woeful run of form in recent weeks.

Ange Postecoglou’s men were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup last week after their defeats to Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively.

Speaking in his column for Sportskeeda, Paul Merson has urged Ruben Amorim to “change things up” and pivot away from his tactical system for the match.

“Whoever loses this game is in big trouble,” he said.

“I don’t even know where to start because both Tottenham and Manchester United are as bad as each other! Spurs can point to their injuries, but what’s United’s excuse at the moment?

“Ruben Amorim has to change things up. I know he has been true to his philosophy but he needs to realise the players available at Old Trafford are not fit to play that way.

“You can’t stay adamant like this at the cost of losing games! Next year, when you have the right players for your system, try it out.”

Merson’s prediction for Tottenham vs Man Utd

Merson was also baffled at Patrick Dorgu, who was signed by United earlier this month, at being deployed as a right wing-back on his debut against Leicester City.

The Sky Sports pundit has backed Tottenham to pick up a 2-1 win at home on Sunday and believes that Spurs have “better forwards” than United.

“I saw him put the new kid Patrick Dorgu in an unnatural position on his debut,” Merson continued.

“I mean, what is this? I’d be shocked if Manchester United win this game. I think Spurs have the better forwards and that will end up being the difference between the sides.

“This is Manchester United we’re talking about and they should be smashing Tottenham in an ideal world.

“But I can’t even seem them beating Palace at the moment, how can I expect them to win this game then?”

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are both having disappointing seasons in the Premier League.

The two Premier League outfits clash on Sunday and they are only separated by two points.

Manchester United are 13th while Tottenham are sat in 14th place, which is painfully closer to the relegation zone than the top four.

Ruben Amorim has his work cut out for him and his opposing manager, Ange Postecoglu, is under intense pressure to keep his job following two cup exists in the space of four days.

After being hammered by Liverpool in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, Tottenham saw their hopes of FA Cup success crash before their eyes at Aston Villa, losing 2-1 in the fourth round last weekend.

Meanwhile, United booked their place in the fifth round after beating Leicester City 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Gary Neville and Roy Keane tip Manchester United to win

United might be slightly higher than Tottenham in the Premier League, but both teams need to improve if they plan on playing European football next season.

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They are both still in the Europa League, but they can’t meet each other until the final in Bilbao later this year.

However, improving their league form must be a priority, as it is for Amorim.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Gary Neville and Roy Keane were in agreement about United getting a positive result on Sunday.

Neville said: “I think United win, I thin United win.”

Keane then jokingly asked: “Have Spurs got their players back? Is Maddison back?

“I think United, I’m going to go 3-1 United.”

Neville added: “2-1 United.”

Jill Scott intervened, asking: “Really? United are going to score three goals away from home?”

Keane replied: “Yes they will.”

A win this weekend would see United on 32 points, but it remains to be seen if that would be enough to see us jump up a few places in the league table.

Manchester United seeking revenge against Tottenham

United have already lost twice against Tottenham this season.

Back in September, Postecoglu’s side beat United 3-0 at Old Trafford after Bruno Fernandes was sent off.

Tottenham went one step further in December by knocking United out of the Carabao Cup by winning 4-3 in London.

That means Tottenham have scored seven goals in two games against United this term.

However, it bodes well for United that Tottenham have now gone seven games without a win at home in the Premier League, losing five of those matches.

Hopefully, under Amorim, United can get revenge for the two defeats earlier this season.

Manchester United’s winter transfer window finished without the striker Ruben Amorim wanted, but the summer presents a fresh opportunity.

With Patrick Dorgu solving the left wing-back problem, now the striker issue is Manchester United’s biggest concern.

Neither Joshua Zirkzee nor Rasmus Hojlund have made the position their own, with goals proving hard to come by for Ruben Amorim.

The United head coach even resorted to using Kobbie Mainoo up front, which didn’t fill anyone with confidence.

Due to this, United looked set to compete for a striker on deadline day – with Mathys Tel the option which looked likeliest.

Mathys Tel could still sign for Manchester United

As the hours counted down on deadline day, Tel to Manchester United looked nailed on.

Instead, Tel signed for Spurs on loan and has already made his debut during the London side’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool

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United didn’t move for Tel due to Bayern Munich’s demands, which included a hefty sell-on clause and also a seeming refusal to put a buy-option on the deal (which Spurs managed to get although now it appears Tel might not be wiling to join permanently).

“There were also talks with Manchester United who were interested in Mathys Tel’s signature. Tel was certainly open to the move, but United weren’t prepared to pay the loan fee Bayern Munich were demanding at the time,” Christian Falk told CaughtOffside.

“So, you see, there was a huge difference to the offer Tottenham came to the table with.”

Falk added that Tel would like to join United if handed the chance to do so.

“Whether Tel stays with Bayern beyond the summer or moves on, it’s entirely up to him. If he can make the step to United, he would like to do it. If he sees a chance at Bayern Munich, perhaps he would also stay, but I think it’s hard for him, as he didn’t make it under Vincent Kompany.

“So, I think if he is performing very well, he will stay in the Premier League. If he doesn’t, he has to go back to Bayern and start again.”

Ruben Amorim will likely favour alternatives this summer

A move for Tel in the summer would be interesting especially if he performs in England, however with spending expected to be freer for United, Amorim will likely have other players he is name dropping to Jason Wilcox.

The name we are convinced United will make a move for is Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres – who has been linked with following Amorim to Old Trafford.

Gyokeres will cost just £63m in the summer with Amorim in pole position. The Swedish striker is keen on joining United.

So Tel’s plan to attempt a summer move to United could back-fire, with plenty of better options open to Ineos this summer – opposed to January in which Tel was more an opportunity than anything else.

Manchester United fans ruthlessly reacted to Mathys Tel’s Tottenham debut after Ange Postecoglou’s men suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Thursday.

Tottenham completed a deadline day move for Mathys Tel earlier this week and the Spurs player signed on loan from German side Bayern Munich.

Manchester United and Arsenal were among the English clubs heavily linked with the 19-year-old French forward during the January transfer window.

However, the Red Devils were unable to sign Tel from Bayern Munich, despite the former Rennes player reportedly being keen on a move to Old Trafford.

Tel reportedly rejected a move to Tottenham earlier this month before he made the move to north London, with Spurs having an option to buy the player this summer.

The Tottenham forward, who would cost Spurs £45m in a summer transfer, was struggling to secure regular playing time under Bayern manager Vincent Kompany.

Tel makes his Tottenham debut

Tottenham managed to edge out Premier League leaders Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month.

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Lucas Bergvall broke the deadlock late in the second half of the first-leg encounter and Spurs took a 1-0 aggregate scoreline to Anfield on Thursday.

However, Liverpool inflicted a 4-0 thumping on Tottenham in the return leg and Arne Slot’s men have punched their ticket to the Carabao Cup final in March.

Cody Gakpo put Liverpool in the lead before half-time at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah converting from the spot-kick six minutes after the break.

Both Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk netted in the second half as Liverpool ran riot and blew Ange Postecoglou’s side out of the water in the Carabao Cup tie.

Mathys Tel had to settle for a place on the bench before Tottenham boss Postecoglou brought him on for the second half in place of Richarlison.

Man Utd fans react to Tel debut vs Liverpool

Liverpool will now face Premier League side Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on 16th March at Wembley.

Manchester United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, felt the Red Devils had the last laugh after Tel rejected them to sign for Tottenham.

“Mathys Tel would be regretting joining Spurs already,” one fan simply said.

Someone else added: “Mathys Tel chose [the] wrong club, man. We warned you, kid, but you never have listened.”

Another X user wrote: “Mathys Tel is really going to go through it at Spurs.”

A fourth tweeted: “Mathys Tel should’ve went to Yanited [sic] but he now has to deal with a disasterclass. Oh, well, time we move on from him.”

While a fifth posted: “Mathys Tel deserves everything that’s coming to him. Why would you reject United for a trophy-less team?”

“No wonder Mathys Tel wanted to come to United,” another commented.

Somebody else said: “Mathys Tel chose them over Arsenal and Manchester United.”

And an eighth simply tweeted: “Mathys Tel must be regretting his decision now…”

Manchester United have a number of deals in the pipeline as the January transfer deadline moves ever closer.

Ruben Amorim may have turned 40 on Monday but his first couple of months at Manchester United no doubt leave him feeling 50.

United have been so inconsistent under Amorim and every positive result seems to be followed by a setback or two.

The 3-1 home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion seems to have sparked United into life with multiple deals now being targeted.

United are poised to sign Ayden Heaven with the Arsenal teenager being viewed as cover for Lisandro Martinez on the left side of Amorim’s back three.

United have also agreed to sign Patrick Dorgu and will welcome the Lecce left wing back to Old Trafford ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

Mathys Tel stance on Manchester United move

Amorim would surely love to rip up this squad but United can’t go wild in the market and may now be limited to loan deals.

Another forward is surely on the radar with question marks surrounding the futures of both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

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Reports emerging on Wednesday evening suggested that United want Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel as he chases a loan exit.

The French forward has huge potential but is struggling for first-team action in Bavaria.

United are keen to take Tel for the rest of the season and the Daily Mail report that Tel is actually waiting for United to make a move.

It’s suggested that Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur ‘have the firmest interest’ in Tel but he is hanging on for Arsenal or United to make a real move to sign him.

Tel doesn’t want to commit to another club before Arsenal and United have firmed up that interest.

The 19-year-old needs to make sure that his next move hands him a route to first-team action, so a firm decision may take some days.

Tottenham Hotspur ramp up Tel move

Tel appeared to wave goodbye to Bayern on Wednesday night after being handed a start in the 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava.

A move this weekend certainly appears to be in the pipeline but United may need to pounce quickly if a deal is going to happen.

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims that Tottenham have started talks to sign Tel.

Talks are also being held with Aston Villa and Chelsea, but Spurs are in ‘very intensive’ discussions to strike a deal.

Plettenberg claims that a permanent deal may even be in the offing with Tel so keen to leave Bayern before the deadline.

Tottenham are really pushing to secure Tel and unless United firm up a move very soon, the Frenchman will slip away – and join a Premier League rival.

Manchester United are signing top young talents under Ineos but one prospect slipped through the net in recent years.

Ineos have made their stance fairly clear; this is a long-term project at Manchester United.

United appointing Ruben Amorim certainly hammered home that fact, but so has the approach to recruitment.

United paid big money for Leny Yoro after his breakthrough at Lille whilst Samuel Lusale and Chido Obi were among the prospects to join.

Sekou Kone joined United and fellow Malian talent Daba Diakite is now wanted at Old Trafford too.

United want the most exciting talents around but some inside Old Trafford may be kicking themselves right now.

Lucas Bergvall slipped through Manchester United’s net

United had been tracking Swedish talent Lucas Bergvall for a while.

Bergvall joined United on trial in February 2021 as he showed huge potential at IF Brommapojkarna.

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Post-Brexit rules meant that United couldn’t sign Bergvall until he turned 18, and he moved on to Djurgarden to continue his development.

United kept tabs on Bergvall by scouting him in 2023 but hopes of signing came to a crushing end early in 2024.

Tottenham Hotspur pounced to sign Bergvall, allowing the midfielder to stay with Djurgarden before joining Spurs at the end of the season.

Bergvall is now really starting to build momentum in the Tottenham side and was arguably their best player against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

The 18-year-old is already showing real personality and character in the Tottenham midfield and he truly looks like a top talent who slipped through United’s grasp.

Rio Ferdinand on Lucas Bergvall

Having Bergvall in the building in the past but failing to sign him will certainly sting for United fans.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has now been asked about Bergvall and how United didn’t sign him.

Speaking on TNT Sports (15/01, 20:45), Ferdinand joked that he is now launching an investigation into just how United managed to miss out on Bergvall.

Ferdinand praised Bergvall for the speed at which he carries the ball through midfield, the kind of attribute United would no doubt love to add to Amorim’s options.

“I’m doing an enquiry at the moment, just to see what’s happened there,” said Ferdinand.

“It’s not just the way he travels, but it’s the speed at which he travels,” he added.

United signing Sverre Nypan may cushion the blow over Bergvall with a lesson to be learned over top Scandinavian talent.

Bergvall has slipped away from United but Nypan is still available and will surely become a top target as Bergvall shines for Spurs.

Maybe United will return for Bergvall in the future, but Spurs will be in a position to demand an astronomical fee – especially if he continues to develop.

The chance on Bergvall appears to be gone, so Rosenborg wonderkid Nypan may become the focus in 2025.

Manchester United will regret not snapping up a deal for Son Heung-Min when they had the chance.

The 32-year-old has become a mega star in the Premier League at Tottenham, but he shares a soft spot for Manchester United.

Despite spending over nine years of his career at Tottenham, Son Heung-Min has previously admitted he is a boyhood United fan.

Speaking on Pro:Direct Soccer’s YouTube channel three years ago, Son said: “[I supported] Manchester United because obviously, Ji-sung Park was playing.”

In 19 games against the Red Devils, Son has scored five goals, with the latest coming directly from a corner as United lost 4-3 to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.

Son is even admired by United’s club legends. Sir Alex Ferguson wished he managed Son and there have been a few half-rumours over the years that the Red Devils were interested in him. Now at 32 years old, it seems unlikely he will spend any of his career at Old Trafford.

Ruud van Nistelrooy spotted Son Heung-Min’s talent

Son burst onto the scene at Hamburg after coming through the academy ranks of the German club.

In the same year that Son made his senior debut at Hamburg – 2010 – United legend and now former manager Ruud van Nistelrooy left Real Madrid to sign for them.

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Just a year later, Van Nistelrooy posted an iconic message on social media that read: “My teammate Son Heung-Min, massive talent. 18 years old… Watch out for him. Class!”

With an ability like that to spot talent, it is hardly a surprise that Van Nistelrooy has become a Premier League manager at Leicester City.

Van Nistelroooy and Son will be reunited later this month when Leicester face Tottenham on January 26th.

Son Heung-Min idolises Man United legend Van Nistelrooy

In a recent YouTube video from TNT Sports, Son looked back at his career and spoke highly about his relationship with Van Nistelrooy, even suggesting he was like a father figure to him at Hamburg.

“I started in the youth team in Hamburg and I got a first-team call-up when I was 17. I went to the changing room really early, as soon as Ruud came I couldn’t believe it,” Son said.

“I was shaking. I was sitting in the dressing room and as soon as he turned up I stood up straight away and shook his hand.

“I had an unbelievable pre-season but unfortunately I broke my foot. I was in a crutch and the next day we had a team picture. He [Van Nistelrooy] came to me and said ‘we are going to wait for you’. I started crying because it was so meaningful.

“Those words coming from a world-class player and a world star. He was like ‘if you need anything come and speak to me’. He was so good, he was like my dad.

“He was giving so much advice, he still had unbelievable quality, I was learning so much from him. He’s now a manager at Leicester and I can’t wait to see him.”