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Tottenham confirmed team vs Man United - Van de Ven, Odobert and Sarr start as Frank makes changes

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Here's the Tottenham Hotspur team that Thomas Frank has selected to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has made three changes to his team to face Manchester United on Saturday in the Premier League.

Frank's side are currently unbeaten in four matches across all competitions after their 2-2 draw with title-chasers Manchester City last Sunday and now the north London outfit will tackle a United side at Old Trafford that has been turned around under caretaker boss and former Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick.

Frank has got a couple of players back fit and in his line-up in the shape of captain Cristian Romero, who had to leave the City game at half-time due to illness, and Micky van de Ven. Djed Spence was "touch and go" for the game according to the Dane.

With Van de Ven and Romero available to play at Old Trafford, the versatile Joao Palhinha gets the nod on the right of the back three in the 3-4-3 formation with Radu Dragusin back on the bench, despite the Romanian's strong second half against Pep Guardiola's side.

The wing-backs are once again Destiny Udogie and Archie Gray are the only ones currently fit while Pape Matar Sarr comes into the midfield ahead of Yves Bissouma to partner up with Conor Gallagher after making a big difference in the second half against City.

Wilson Odobert, who was ill like Romero for the City game, has been given the green light ahead of Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel to play as the right-sided number 10 alongside Xavi Simons with the Dutchman and Dominic Solanke looking to carry straight on from their fine performances against City.

Here's the team Frank has gone with:

Thomas Frank gives Kevin Danso injury update and makes Tottenham Micky van de Ven admission

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Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United in the Premier League and Thomas Frank has offered a double injury update

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has expressed hope of having Kevin Danso return from injury in the near future, while also confirming that Micky van de Ven is available for selection. Spurs will face Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday as they aim to return to winning ways in the top flight.

Spurs go into the clash against United having failed to win any of their last six Premier League matches, a run which stretches back to the end of December. That run of form has seen Tottenham drop to 14th in the table, and they take on a United team that has won their previous three fixtures against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham.

Danso has been sidelined with a toe injury for the last week, which he picked up in the win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

As a result, the defender missed Tottenham’s draw with Man City in the Premier League last week, and has not recovered in time to feature against the Red Devils this weekend.

However, Frank has explained that Spurs hope to have Danso available again in the near future, with the club still waiting to discover an exact timeframe for a return.

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“Very unlucky,” Frank told Tottenham’s club media when asked about Danso’s injury. “I think every single time he’s been called upon this season, he’s delivered for the team.

“It is fantastic to work with him in every aspect.

“We’ll probably know a little but more this week in terms of how long. Hopefully, it will not be too long.”

Frank also offered an update on Van de Ven’s fitness, with the defender missing the in over Frankfurt and the draw with Man City with an injury.

The Tottenham boss has confirmed that he expects Van de Ven to be available to face Man United on Saturday afternoon, whilst going on to praise the centre-back for his work ethic in recovering from the injury.

“He can go straight back in, he’s fit, he’s available, he’s in a very good place,” Frank said.

“I think last year he played 22 games, and he’s played 30 games this year and the year before was 29 [games].

“So he’s been built strong, he’s doing a lot of recovery [and] gym. He’s a beast, so that’s very good.”

off time, live stream, confirmed team news, score updates

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Man United vs Tottenham LIVE: Kick-off time, live stream, confirmed team news, score updates - Football London
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Tottenham Hotspur continue their Premier League exploits with a trip to Manchester United in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off and football.london will bring you all the action from Old Trafford.

Spurs have enjoyed an upturn in results recently and are currently four games unbeaten, including reaching the last 16 of the Champions League and then roaring back from 2-0 down to draw against Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend in the Premier League.

Now Thomas Frank's side take on Manchester's other Premier League club away from home with a United side that has picked up its form as well under interim boss Michael Carrick, without the distraction of European football after Spurs beat them in the Europa League final last May.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is at Old Trafford throughout Saturday to cover the game in depth including all the news before, during and after the match. Scroll down for his latest updates from the Premier League clash in Manchester.

Tottenham predicted team vs Man United - Djed Spence test as Frank makes big midfield decision

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Here's the Tottenham team we reckon Thomas Frank will select to face Manchester United on the Premier League in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off

Tottenham make their way up the country to Manchester United on Saturday in the Premier League looking to continue their recent upturn in form.

Thomas Frank's team are currently unbeaten in four games across all competitions after their 2-2 draw with title-chasers Manchester City last weekend and now they will tackle a United side at Old Trafford that has been turned around under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.

Spurs need to start climbing up the table themselves and a positive display in the lunchtime kick-off in Manchester will continue the momentum shifting in the right direction.

Frank has got a couple of players back fit and available in Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven with Djed Spence also close to a return and "touch and go" for the game according to the Dane.

With Van de Ven and Romero available to play at Old Trafford, the question is whether it's Joao Palhinha or Radu Dragusin who starts alongside them if Frank decides to start again with a back three and the 3-4-3 formation. Palhinha's performance in the role against City and ability to get forward could see the Portuguese getting the nod despite the Romanian's strong second half against Pep Guardiola's side.

The wing-backs pick themselves right now as Destiny Udogie and Archie Gray are the only ones currently fit while Pape Matar Sarr might get to start ahead of Yves Bissouma in midfield with Conor Gallagher after making a big difference in the second half against City.

Wilson Odobert, who was ill like Romero for the City game, still looked dangerous despite feeling under the weather and should get the green light ahead of Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel to play as one of the 10s alongside Xavi Simons with the Dutchman and Dominic Solanke looking to carry straight on from their dangerous displays against City.

Here's the team we reckon Frank could go with.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer joining Tottenham was agreed before intervention changed everything

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Things could have been very different for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if it wasn't for an intervention at the eleventh hour

If it wasn't for an important intervention in 1998 then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have been playing for Tottenham Hotspur.

As it happened, the Norwegian would remain at Manchester United and cement himself into the club's history after scoring the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final. That was, of course, the year that Sir Alex Ferguson's side secured a historic treble in one of the most memorable seasons in English football history.

Solskjaer would remain with United until 2007 when he retired at the age of 34, finishing his career at Old Trafford. However, rewind the clock to nine years prior and Solskjaer had to weigh up his options. Spurs had agreed the deal with United, but Sir Alex threw in a curveball at the eleventh hour.

"Everything was agreed. The two clubs had signed and were just waiting for me. It was that close," Solskjaer said in an interview in November 2010.

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"The gaffer called me into his office and closed the door. He said the conversation was just going to be between the two of us. He told me I would be a big part of his squad and he didn't want me to go.

"If he had said all the best in your career, I would have gone. But he wanted me to stay and so I signed. Hopefully I paid back the £5.5million that had been agreed with Spurs. But it is strange now to look at that fax."

United chief executive Martin Edwards and Tottenham chairman Sir Alan Sugar had both signed that fax to confirm the deal. It only needed Solskjaer's signature, but Fergie had other ideas.

From almost leaving the club, 12 months later he would become part of one of football's most iconic moments. The Norwegian netted against Bayern Munich in stunning circumstances.

His legendary status from that night in '99 was put to the test when he took on the role of caretaker manager in 2018 after the Red Devils had parted with Jose Mourinho.

He would go on to sign a permanent deal with the club in 2019 but was sacked in 2021 after a 4-1 defeat to Watford. Coincidentally, Michael Carrick, who is the current caretaker manager at United, took over as interim boss when Solskjaer left.

United wrote at the time: "It is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision. While the past few weeks have been disappointing, they should not obscure all the work he has done over the past three years to rebuild the foundations for long-term success. Ole leaves with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts as manager and our very best wishes for the future."

The two teams will do battle in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League, with Thomas Frank heading to Old Trafford with pressure to get a result for his struggling side.

Thomas Frank laughs at question about Tottenham owners after Fabio Paratici comment

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After a transfer window that frustrated the fans the Tottenham Hotspur boss has been speaking about the Lewis family who own the club

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank believes the Lewis family are "very, very serious" owners after comments by the outgoing Fabio Paratici about his new bosses at Fiorentina.

Paratici left Spurs just three months after returning as a joint sporting director with Johan Lange, citing personal reasons for heading back to Italy for a prominent role at Fiorentina. During his unveiling in Florence this week, the 53-year-old said that "Fiorentina have a serious set of owners, a very serious set of owners who are of great value".

Some took as a dig at Spurs' owners, the Lewis family, and it comes after a transfer window that frustrated the Tottenham fans with a net spend of just £13million as Brennan Johnson was sold to Crystal Palace for £35million before Conor Gallagher's arrival from Atletico Madrid for a similar fee.

The north London club then signed 19-year-old Santos left-back Souza for £13million but failed to add anyone else to the squad despite January bringing nine new injuries to Frank's squad, a number of them long term, and the Dane admitting that more attacking options would help and suggesting loan signings as a way of fixing the problems temporarily.

When asked whether Tottenham have serious owners after Paratici's comments, Frank laughed.

"They have very, very serious owners. I understand why you need to ask that but I can only laugh about that," he said. "Yes, very, very serious.

“I speak to them. I’m together with them, so I’m not in doubt. I think it’s a little bit unfair to judge them on a January transfer window. That’s the only window where they’ve been in charge. Is this correct?"

It was pointed out that ENIC, the investment company the Lewis family owns, has been at the helm of Tottenham for 25 years before the next generation of the family, in siblings Vivienne and Charles Lewis and Vivienne's son-in-law Nick Beucher, took a more active interest in the running of the club last year.

"But I also think it’s fair to say that that was different before that. That’s everyone’s assumption, isn’t it?" said Frank. "I think it’s unfair to judge them after this window, I really, truly do.

"Judge them after the next window and the following window. I understand there is a lot of scrutiny about the club, that’s fair, but let’s be fair."

Frank has high hopes for Gallagher, who grabbed his first assist for the club last weekend with the cross for Dominic Solanke's spectacular scorpion kick goal against Manchester City.

"I think Conor has a lot of the bits we need to get to where we want. His character is unbelievable. He is a player who can build a top culture going forward," said the Spurs boss.

"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 [for Solanke's goal] is a fantastic situation, 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.

"He’s impressed me and I think even though he came fit and available, he’s still adapting to the team. Of course, he played Premier League before but it’s different to La Liga. I also expect him to be even better when everyone knows him.

“I agree [that people underrate his technical ability]. For example his finishing is very technically good. He’s an excellent finisher."

This Saturday Spurs travel to Manchester United with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven fit and available but Djed Spence "touch and go" to be involved after his calf injury.

Frank will come up against United's interim boss Michael Carrick just four months after the former Tottenham midfielder interviewed the Tottenham head coach for Amazon Prime Video Sport and the Dane is looking forward to seeing him again.

"First of all he came across as a fantastic person. That’s a key thing. Secondly he has had an excellent career, having done everything, won everything," he said.

“Then he had his time in Middlesbrough where he had a top experience in the Championship for a few years with all the mistakes we need to do as a head coach.

“With his history and experience from Man Utd, who knows what will happen in the summer. He definitely had a good start, that’s one thing, of course he needs to continue it and I wish him all the best, except on Saturday."

Tottenham star admits he's formed a relationship of trust with Thomas Frank

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Wilson Odobert has praised Thomas Frank for improving his game and says he has built a relationship of trust with the Tottenham head coach.

After a first season at Spurs plagued by hamstring problems, the 21-year-old Frenchman has made 31 appearances during this campaign so far and contributed five assists and two goals. In recent weeks, Odobert appears to have found his confidence and grabbed three of those assists within back-to-back games against Borussia Dortmund and Burnley.

The winger, who has been playing on both the left and right flank of Frank's system as well as in one the two number 10 roles in the new 3-4-3 formation, has laid the praise for his improvements at the door of the Dane.

"We have a good relationship. He trusts me and I feel that trust. It's by having that close, trustable relationship that I'm able to feel freer out on the pitch and do things I'm capable of," Odobert said in an interview for Tottenham's matchday programme.

"We work a lot with the coach, we have a lot of videos, we all try to focus on our improvement and we work as much as we can to make things change.

"I think I have to keep improving, both as a player and as a person. It's true that in football we talk a lot about statistics at the moment, so I'm trying to improve those stats but, more than anything, to help the team and be someone who contributes to this team as much as possible.

"We know that we've been knocked out of the two domestic cup competitions, so in the Premier League we need to win as many matches as we can and get as high a position as possible in the table."

Odobert's performance against Dortmund was a key one and one of his best in a Tottenham shirt, with two assists, but he knows that he needs to build on nights like that.

"It was an important game for us," he said. "We had to give it everything, because we hadn't won for a little while to get that winning mentality back. It was a good performance from the team.

"But it was only one match and I'm not going to rest on my laurels. I want more, I want more for the team and I want more personally as well. But, right now, I'm focused on the team and getting better and getting the results we need. We're very aware we need to improve the results and make our fans happy."

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Odobert came through the youth system at PSG before making the move to Troyes, part of the City Football Group, before getting a transfer to newly-promoted Premier League side Burnley to play under the now Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany. The winger would then earn the switch to Tottenham and has now passed half a century of appearances for the north London side and credits those years in Paris as key in his early development.

"I trained in the PSG youth system when I was young. I learned a lot both technically and tactically which has helped me become who I am today, so it was a really good experience," he explained. "When I arrived (in England), I was just a kid. I was discovering living abroad for the first time. I wasn't in my country. Of course, it was a bit difficult at the beginning, with the adaptation of the language and being away from my parents.

"But now I've settled in well and adapting well to English, to the Premier League. I think I'm maturing and have come a long way."

Tottenham star admits he's formed a relationship of trust with Thomas Frank

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The Tottenham Hotspur attacker has explained how the Dane has been helping him with his game and improving it this season

Wilson Odobert has praised Thomas Frank for improving his game and says he has built a relationship of trust with the Tottenham head coach.

After a first season at Spurs plagued by hamstring problems, the 21-year-old Frenchman has made 31 appearances during this campaign so far and contributed five assists and two goals. In recent weeks, Odobert appears to have found his confidence and grabbed three of those assists within back-to-back games against Borussia Dortmund and Burnley.

The winger, who has been playing on both the left and right flank of Frank's system as well as in one the two number 10 roles in the new 3-4-3 formation, has laid the praise for his improvements at the door of the Dane.

"We have a good relationship. He trusts me and I feel that trust. It's by having that close, trustable relationship that I'm able to feel freer out on the pitch and do things I'm capable of," Odobert said in an interview for Tottenham's matchday programme.

"We work a lot with the coach, we have a lot of videos, we all try to focus on our improvement and we work as much as we can to make things change.

"I think I have to keep improving, both as a player and as a person. It's true that in football we talk a lot about statistics at the moment, so I'm trying to improve those stats but, more than anything, to help the team and be someone who contributes to this team as much as possible.

"We know that we've been knocked out of the two domestic cup competitions, so in the Premier League we need to win as many matches as we can and get as high a position as possible in the table."

Odobert's performance against Dortmund was a key one and one of his best in a Tottenham shirt, with two assists, but he knows that he needs to build on nights like that.

"It was an important game for us," he said. "We had to give it everything, because we hadn't won for a little while to get that winning mentality back. It was a good performance from the team.

"But it was only one match and I'm not going to rest on my laurels. I want more, I want more for the team and I want more personally as well. But, right now, I'm focused on the team and getting better and getting the results we need. We're very aware we need to improve the results and make our fans happy."

Odobert came through the youth system at PSG before making the move to Troyes, part of the City Football Group, before getting a transfer to newly-promoted Premier League side Burnley to play under the now Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany. The winger would then earn the switch to Tottenham and has now passed half a century of appearances for the north London side and credits those years in Paris as key in his early development.

"I trained in the PSG youth system when I was young. I learned a lot both technically and tactically which has helped me become who I am today, so it was a really good experience," he explained. "When I arrived (in England), I was just a kid. I was discovering living abroad for the first time. I wasn't in my country. Of course, it was a bit difficult at the beginning, with the adaptation of the language and being away from my parents.

"But now I've settled in well and adapting well to English, to the Premier League. I think I'm maturing and have come a long way."

Dejan Kulusevski reveals injury recovery methods as huge Tottenham return hint dropped

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Dejan Kulusevski has provided a lengthy explanation of his recovery methods, with the Tottenham star approaching nine months out injured

Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski has revealed what methods he is likely using to recover from injury. The 25-year-old has been missing because of a knee issue since May, with surgery required to fix the problem and there is currently no clear indication as to when he will be back.

Thomas Frank was asked about his recovery in early January with his response far from promising with regard to an imminent return to even training. He said: "It was not going forward as quickly as we thought but it's an injury we haven’t seen that much in football history.

"It's a complicated injury, where it’s important to make sure there’s no pain in the knee. That’s why he got an injection and it hopefully will help. So in three to four weeks’ time, he’ll be on the grass pain-free."

With that timeline fast approaching, Frank has been asked about Kulusevski since but has been unable to provide new updates. The Sweden international meanwhile, has been commenting on his injury and recently replied to an Instagram comment that jokingly asked if he was still alive.

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In another update to that social media platform, Kulusevski has uploaded a new post in collaboration with Flowlife, a Swedish health and wellness brand, where he discussed how important their recovery machines have been to him.

In the video, he says: "Recovery is very important, especially now when I get a little bit older. It's a lifestyle, I don't really focus on recovering because I do it every day. So for me, it's just a natural habit.

"I love to use the saunas. I like to sweat. After you sweat a lot, you need to hydrate a lot. If I have two hours free, I would go into the chamber and get extra oxygen, especially if I'm injured, it is important to recover more quickly. So I think it is a great tool for us athletes that we can use now.

"Honestly, the first time I used it, I felt so happy. As soon as you go out, it is like a burst of energy. You feel totally refreshed and it is an amazing feeling. But also like motivational, I feel like you have more energy in you so I experienced that and I think it is amazing for a human to feel energized."

It is unclear when the video was filmed but it seems very likely that Kulusevski has been using their products over the last nine months.

However, it unfortunately doesn't look to have thus far helped his major injury with Tottenham announcing their squad for the Champions League knockout stages and not including Kulusevski which suggests a return is not expected over the coming months.

Fellow long-term absentee James Maddison has also been left out with Radu Dragusin, Mathys Tel and Conor Gallagher named in place of injured stars Rodrigo Bentancur and Ben Davies have been removed with the departed Brennan Johnson also out.

Thomas Frank immediately has salt rubbed in wounds after Tottenham 'offered' £35m star

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Ademola Lookman was linked with a summer move to Tottenham Hotspur, however he has made a blistering start at his new club, days after the Spurs board were criticised over a lack of movement

Ademola Lookman made an instant impact on his Atletico Madrid debut, not long after being offered to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Nigerian scored and provided an assist for Diego Simeone's side as they took a giant stride towards reaching the Copa del Rey final after beating Real Betis 5-0 in the quarter-final. Lookman, who has Premier League experience with Everton, Fulham and Leicester, found himself on the market after Serie A side Atalanta made him available for transfer.

The Times previously reported in the summer that Tottenham had been offered the 28-year-old's services but he eventually joined the Spanish giants. It was claimed that Bayern Munich saw an approach on loan with the option to buy was knocked back for the attacker who scored 20 goals in all competitions last season.

It was said that Thomas Frank's side were looking for attacking reinforcements after bringing in Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. However, fast-forward to the winter window, Spurs moved to sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid while seeing their efforts to sign Liverpool defender Andy Robertson in vain.

Lookman was again linked with Spurs but made the move to La Liga for a reported £30.3million, becoming the first English-born player to play in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A.

The 28-year-old had a dream debut as he found the back of the net with a well-taken finish on the half-hour mark before providing the fourth goal for Antoine Griezmann. Lookman drove the counter-attack forward before threading it to the Frenchman, who found the top right corner.

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Lookman's superb start to life in Madrid will come as a blow to Spurs as they've had their own issues in attacking areas this term.

Dominic Solanke has returned from the treatment table to have an impact, including a brace in their 2-2 draw with Manchester City last time out. But with Richarlison out, Spurs' options are limited and their lack of business led to criticism of the club's hierarchy from club captain Cristian Romero.

The Argentine wrote on social media: "Great effort from all my teammates yesterday ,they were incredible.

"I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available — unbelievable but true and disgraceful

"We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together.

"All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans."

Frank was forced to address the post during his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's clash with Manchester United.

However, the Dane dismissed claims of a revolt brewing from the players. He said:"Everyone here is ambitious. Everyone wants to win.

"Everyone wants to make sure we do the best in the league and we have a good opportunity in the Champions League that we need to hunt for everything we can.

“We’ve had some good performances, better, and in how they are running when they are behind, I see a team that is fighting, players fighting, and that’s a big thing.

"In the summer, we made two good signings in Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus, and a good loan in Joao Palhinha so it’s not as though we don’t want to loan players to strengthen the squad.

"And if you compare us to other top six clubs, we think it was a big signing with Conor Gallagher. I know the club is very ambitious and the owners are very ambitious and I have no doubt we will see that going forward."