Roberto De Zerbi has said that Dejan Kulusevski will travel with the first-team squad for Tottenham’s trip to Manchester United as the playmaker closes in on a return to fitness after nearly a year and a half on the sidelines.
Kulusevski has spent more than 500 days out injured with a complicated patella problem that has seen him undergo surgery twice to try to correct the issue. It has been an extremely difficult period for the former Juventus man, but there now appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for the forward after he featured in an internal 11-a-side match over the international break.
De Zerbi offers update on Kulusevski
Spurs will continue to be cautious with Kulusevski, as they have been with a handful of players who have struggled with long-term injury issues, but De Zerbi could soon select the 26-year-old in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time since May 2025.
Kulusevski’s creativity has been a huge miss for a Spurs side that have scored just two league goals this season, but De Zerbi has said the Swede was on the right track in returning to action. "He's working well," the Italian said. "Tomorrow he comes with us for football, he's an example for everyone because he's a player, but an example of how he reacts to the injury, the character."
Spurs remain cautious over return
Spurs have not wanted to rush Kulusevski, but they were given a reminder of just how careful and diligent they must remain with his recovery when he was pulled out of first-team training after picking up a minor setback.
Anticipation may be building ahead of what is sure to be an emotional return for Kulusevski, but Spurs and De Zerbi are not getting ahead of themselves, and while he will make the trip to Old Trafford, it is highly unlikely that he will feature in the matchday squad.
