Manchester United vs Tottenham Clash Threatened by 13 Potential Absences
Manchester United are set to host Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial Premier League encounter this Saturday afternoon, with both teams grappling with significant injury concerns that could see up to 13 players miss the match. The Red Devils, under interim manager Michael Carrick, aim to extend their winning streak, while Spurs look to build on a resilient performance against Manchester City.
Manchester United's Injury Woes Deepen
Michael Carrick has provided a worrying update on his squad's fitness ahead of the Tottenham fixture. Central defender Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined due to a persistent back issue, having missed the last 12 games across all competitions. Carrick confirmed that the upcoming match will come "too soon" for the Dutch international, though he is making progress in his recovery.
Midfielder Mason Mount is also a major doubt after picking up an injury in training, which caused him to miss the victory over Fulham. Carrick indicated that Mount's return is imminent but unlikely for this weekend. Additionally, full-back Patrick Dorgu will be absent after sustaining a hamstring problem during the match against Arsenal, with Carrick stating the setback would sideline him for "a few weeks."
Tottenham's Extensive Injury List
Tottenham continue to battle an injury crisis, with nine players confirmed as absentees for the Old Trafford clash. The list includes Pedro Porro, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Richarlison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Ben Davies, and Kevin Danso. Striker Dominic Solanke's participation is also in doubt after he was substituted during the draw with Manchester City due to an ankle problem, though he expressed optimism about his fitness.
On a positive note, Spurs boss Thomas Frank has confirmed that centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero will be fit for the encounter. Full-back Djed Spence is also nearing a return, with Frank describing his availability as "touch and go" but with a good chance of being ready.
Match Context and Implications
Manchester United enter the match in fourth place in the Premier League, just one point ahead of Chelsea, as they push for Champions League qualification under Carrick's interim leadership. Tottenham, currently in 14th position, showed resilience by coming back from a 2-0 deficit to draw with Manchester City in their previous outing. The injury updates from both camps add an extra layer of intrigue to this high-stakes fixture, with squad depth likely to be tested.
