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Romero ended a tense week in nightmare fashion after being shown a straight red card after just 29 minutes played at Old Trafford.

The Spurs captain caught Casemiro on the ankle when attempting to clear the ball, prompting an immediate dismissal.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Vicario said: “Of course, he's disappointed, because he knows that this red card could have been avoided. He apologised.

“Our captain today made a mistake, but we know the player he is.

“He's going to come back stronger and will help us massively going through the rest of the season.

Romero will now miss Spurs’ next four league games, as it was his second red card of the season, and comes in a week in which he criticised the club's hierarchy for failing to act in the transfer window amid an injury crisis within the squad.

He said it was "disgraceful" that only 11 fit players were available during the previous weekend's 2-2 Premier League draw against Manchester City, but has not helped their cause himself.

Since making his debut for Tottenham in 2021, Romero has been sent off six times, more than any other Premier League player over the same period.

Asked if Spurs are in a relegation battle, Vicario said: "It depends how you see things in life. The reality is that in terms of results we have struggled a lot.

“Two wins in the last 16 is not acceptable for this football club, but we don't have to forget how we are trying to push ourselves in tough conditions. This is the reality.”

Spurs put good record against Red Devils to the test

Manchester United vs Tottenham LIVE

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Manchester United vs Tottenham LIVE

Spurs head to Old Trafford afternoon looking to become the first team to take points off Michael Carrick since his return as interim manager. Ruben Amorim’s dismissal has resulted in a signficant upturn in form for the hosts, who have now won three in a row and are unbeaten in seven games. Another victory today will see United surpass last season’s Premier League points tally.

But victories against Spurs have been hard to come by for United in recent years, having lost three and drawn three of their last six encounters - including last season’s Europa League final. Spurs are struggling, though, and head up north without a win in six top-flight games despite a morale-boosting comeback to draw 2-2 with Manchester City last time out.

Further dropped points see leave Spurs looking over their shoulders at the relegation battle below. They currently sit nine points clear of the bottom clear, but 11 off the Champions League qualification race. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Sam Tabuteau at Old Trafford.

Man Utd vs Tottenham latest news

Michael Carrick sticks with an unchanged starting line-up as Manchester United aim to extend their winning run to four matches.

It is three changes for Tottenham, with, most importantly, Micky van de Ven returning from injury.

Wilson Odobert and Pape Sarr also come in, as Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma and Randal Kolo Muani dro to the bench.

Manchester United via Getty Images

Sam Tabuteau at Old Trafford

After all the noise in the week after his latest social media outburst, Cristian Romero is fit and starts for Tottenham this afternoon.

The Spurs captain lines up back alongside Micky van de Ven as Frank sticks with a 3-4-3 formation with Palhinha at the back.

Sarr partners Gallagher in midfield, while Gray reprises his role as a makeshift right wing-back.

Odobert, whose pace in transition will be key, comes back into the starting lineup.

Confirmed team news in full

Man Utd XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo

Subs: Bayindir, Heaven, Malacia, Mazraoui, Yoro, T. Fletcher, Ugarte, Sesko, Zirkzee

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Palhinha, Romero, Van de Ven; Gray, Gallagher, Sarr, Udogie; Odobert, Xavi Simons; Solanke

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

Tottenham XI

...and Spurs!

Man Utd XI

Here’s how the hosts look.

Teams to be confirmed in five minutes.

Frank explains why Gallagher is key to his long-term plans

Thomas Frank believes that Conor Gallagher can be a big part of building the culture he is looking to instil at Tottenham.

Gallagher’s charging run and cross for Dominic Solanke’s miraculous scorpion kick equaliser against Manchester City last weekend epitomised the very best parts of Spurs’ spirited second-half fightback.

Frank was left delighted with Gallagher’s impact against City and admits the England midfielder has been exemplary since arriving from Atletico Madrid midway through the January transfer window.

“I think Conor has a lot of the bits we need to get to where we want,” Frank said ahead of Spurs’ trip to Manchester United.

“His character is unbelievable. He is a player who can build a top culture going forward.

“His work-rate and how he can carry the team on his back, more or less, though it’s not only about one player.

“That situation (the build-up to Solanke’s second goal v City) is a fantastic situation you’re referring to, where he’s running very hard, winning the second ball in front of two players and then put a cross in and we scored from that.”

Read more here!

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Thomas Frank has reasons for optimism as Tottenham face Man Utd test

What Thomas Frank would give to talk about football again.

Even when things are going comparatively better than they have recently, with Tottenham unbeaten in four games in all competitions, the atmosphere around the club remains volatile.

The aftermath of Tottenham’s miraculous 2-2 draw with Manchester City has been dominated by Cristian Romero’s most recent comments about the club’s hierarchy - the second time in a month the subject of his captain’s social media activity has been brought to light.

There was spirit and character as Spurs came from two goals down to rescue a point against City. That momentum has quickly been lost amidst the noise of a disappointing Deadline Day and Romero’s explosive Instagram post.

Still, in salvaging a draw, Spurs clawed back some respectability, having been savaged by Pep Guardiola’s side in the first-half.

Spurs’ season has been a tale of two halves too often. Piecing together a performance over 90 minutes remains an issue in the Premier League, where the tempo shifts are dramatic and Spurs struggle to keep control.

There have been signs of progress, and the return of Dominic Solanke has been transformational.

Read more here!

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Latest odds

The bookies agree with our prediction, with Manchester United expected to run out winners today.

Man Utd win: 4/7

Draw: 13/5

Tottenham win: 7/2

(Odds via Betfair, subject to change.)

Predicted linueps

Confirmed line-ups to be announced at 11.15am.

Man Utd predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo

Tottenham predicted XI (3-4-3): Vicario; Palhinha, Romero, Van de Ven; Spence, Gray, Gallagher, Udogie; Odobert, Solanke, Simons

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‘This is not the time’: Singer Neil Young cancels tour of UK and Europe

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Andrew was given copies of The King’s Speech at Epstein dinner in New York, email shows

Andrew given copies of The King’s Speech at Epstein dinner

Fabio Paratici has said that Fiorentina “have a serious set of owners” after he was unveiled as the club’s sporting director.

Paratici officially left Tottenham, where he was co-sporting director with Johan Lange, at the end of the January transfer window to join Fiorentina.

Paratici’s departure came shortly after he had been formally brought back to Spurs after serving a 30-month FIFA ban for financial irregularities, and was seen by many as a surprise, with the announcement coming midway through the January window.

During his unveiling at Viola Park, Paratici thanked Spurs for allowing him to join Fiorentina and return to Italy, but appeared to take a dig at his former employers by describing Fiorentina’s owners as “serious”.

“In my case, Fiorentina have a serious set of owners, a very serious set of owners who are of great value,” Partatici said.

“I’d like to thank Tottenham, my former club, for the opportunity they granted me to join Fiorentina, return to Italy and the opportunity to spend five wonderful years in the Premier League,” Paratici added.

“It was an incredible experience. They made me feel at home and stood by me in tough times so I feel obliged to thank Tottenham.”

Spurs announced Paratici’s departure midway through January after weeks of speculation around his future, but said the 53-year-old would stay in north London to help see out the transfer window.

Paratici had worked alongside Lange to devise a plan for the January window, bringing in Conor Gallagher and Brazilian left-back Souza, but supporters were left frustrated after Spurs failed to bring in any new signings on Deadline Day.

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Sport | Football

Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal confirm three signings; late Chelsea deal; Jacquet joins Liverpool; Man Utd latest

Deadline Day updates as clubs push for late signings

Transfer drama: Jean-Philippe Mateta, Sandro Tonali and James Wilson

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George Flood

Transfer news LIVE!

Deadline Day produced perhaps more drama than expected as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham were all active as the January window closed. The day started with the Gunners exploring a stunning move for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, before Mikel Arteta set tongues wagging by confirming the club was “actively looking” for a new signing following Mikel Merino’s injury. In the end, two new faces did arrive at the academy, as Evan Mooney joined from St Mirren and Jaden Dixon arrived from Stoke. There was interest in Hearts striker James Wilson, but Spurs hijacked talks and lured the Scotland international to London.

Spurs fans would have wanted more than just an academy signing, but the day passed without the injury-ravaged squad being bolstered, and captain Cristian Romero posted on Instagram shortly after the deadline passed to vent his frustration at how the squad has been left. Across London, Chelsea recalled Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg, with both Aaron Anselmino and David Datro Fofana heading in the opposite direction, as Axel Disasi joined West Ham on loan and Tyrique George joined Everton on a loan-to-buy deal.

Manchester United were also focused mainly on loan outgoings, while Jorgen Strand Larsen’s switch from Wolves to Crystal Palace for a club-record £48million was the biggest deal of the day, but the Eagles ran out of time to complete the £20m signing of Dwight McNeil. Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s move to AC Milan collapsed after issues with his medical amid suggestions that he could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!

Latest Deadline Day headlines

Fulham loan Steven Benda to Feyenoord

A late exit from Fulham has also been confirmed tonight.

Goalkeeper Steven Benda has joined Eredivisie giants Feyenoord on loan until the summer.

The German had been expected to stay at Craven Cottage after returning early from a loan spell at Millwall in the Championship.

However, he will now spend the rest of the season at De Kuip.

Youssef En-Nesyri completes Al-Ittihad move

The other part of the Fenerbahce/Al-Ittihad transfer saga has also now been resolved.

The Saudi outfit have announced the signing of Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri.

The deal was done after talks with FIFA, per Fabrizio Romano, with Fenerbahce set to receive around €14m.

Fenerbahce confirm N'Golo Kante deal

Fenerbahce have now confirmed the signing of N’Golo Kante.

The French midfielder has penned a two-and-a-half year deal in Istanbul after leaving Saudi club Al-Ittihad.

“Some stories take time, but they don’t stay unfinished,” Fenerbahce wrote on social media.

They have a two-legged Europa League knockout play-off tie against Nottingham Forest coming up.

N’Golo Kante set for Fenerbahce move

It looks like N’Golo Kante will be getting his move to Fenerbahce after all.

Fabrizio Romano is reporting tonight that his contract at Saudi club Al-Ittihad has been cancelled with immediate effect.

Fenerbahce are now working with FIFA to get the signing of the former Chelsea and Leicester star approved.

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Fulham to step up Wilson talks

Fulham will resume contract negotiations with Harry Wilson after knocking back January interest in the in-form midfielder.

Wilson is out of contract at the end of the season and has been attracting interest from serval Premier League clubs.

The Cottagers rejected an approach by Everton last week and were adamant he would not leave mid-season, with Marco Silva stating last week that there was “zero chance” of him being sold.

Fulham are desperate to keep Wilson, who has been in superb form for club and country this season, and contract negotiations have been underway for several months.

Read more here!

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'Many doubts' over Merino in Arsenal injury worry

Mikel Merino’s father has revealed that there is “uncertainty” of the length of time that the Arsenal midfielder could be out injured.

The Spaniard was reported to need surgery on a broken bone in his foot last week, with Mikel Arteta confirming before the January transfer window closed that the Gunners were scouting out potential opportunities on the market to replace Merino temporarily.

Merino, 29, missed Arsenal’s 4-0 win at Leeds over the weekend, with Arsenal revealing that he would be out for an “extended period”.

Read the full story here!

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Spurs save Akliouche for summer

Tottenham could not pursue a deal for Maghnes Akliouche in the January transfer window, but may move for him in the summer, according to Teamtalk.

The Monaco man was seen as a transfer target for Spurs last year, before Xavi Simons arrived in north London.

The 23-year-old remains on the club’s radar, however, and a move could materialise at the end of the season.

AFP via Getty Images

Sterling offered to Bundesliga club

Raheem Sterling was offered to Union Berlin, according to Sky Germany.

The former Chelsea forward had his contract at Stamford Bridge mutually terminated last month, and the England international is assessing his options as a free agent.

One of them could have been in Germany, although Union decided against offering him a deal, with Horst Heldt, a Union director, saing that the offer “didn’t seem serious”.

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Malacia fury as Man Utd force defender to stay

Out-of-favour defender Tyrell Malacia is furious at being told he must stay at Manchester United, the Daily Mirror claim.

The Dutchman was frozenn out by Ruben Amorim at the start of the campaign, but injuries meant that he was reintegrated into the squad earlier this season.

He has played just two minutes all season - coming on as late substitute in the 1-0 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Jason Wilcox, United’s sporting director, told the left-back he would not be able to leave - amid interest from Turkey - due to Patrick Dorgu’s injury, leaving Malacia and Luke Shaw as United’s only recognised left-backs.

Inquam Photos via REUTERS

Alonso on three-man shortlist as City draw up Guardiola replacements

Manchester City are bracing themselves for a potential departure of manager Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is on a three-strong shortlist of contenders to take over from the Spaniard at the Etihad Stadium.

But who are the other two names?

Find out here!

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Latest updatesOlder updates

Tottenham have appointed Liam Horgan as the club’s first-team rehabilitation physiotherapist as the club tackles a crippling injury crisis.

Horgan worked with Thomas Frank and Spurs’ head of medical, Nick Stubbings, during five years as Brentford’s first team physio between 2019 and 2024.

He becomes the ninth member of Frank’s backroom staff at Spurs to have previously worked at Brentford.

Following Frank’s arrival in June 2025, the likes of assistant coach Justin Cochrane, set-piece coach Andreas Georgson, head of performance Chris Haslam, and Stubbings have joined the club.

Spurs’ head of football methodology, Zaheer Shah, has also previously worked at Brentford, but joined before Frank arrived in north London last summer.

Horgan, who was Brentford’s B team physio between 2016 and 2019, arrives at Spurs following a year-and-a-half spell as first-team physio at Crystal Palace.

Spurs have split their physios into rehab and performance, with Horgan’s role focusing on injured players and helping them towards full fitness.

Horgan’s appointment comes at a time when Spurs are juggling yet another injury crisis, with as many as 11 senior players missing last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

Rehab physios are typically tasked with guiding players through the recovery process after injury, returning them to peak performance, while minimising the risk of their injury recurring.

Horgan’s expertise will be particularly important for players such as Spurs striker Dominic Solanke, who has suffered all season from a recurring ankle injury.

Frank has admitted that Solanke, who scored twice against City, has been pushed to the limit since returning from injury at the start of January, and his minutes are being carefully managed.