The Sun

THOMAS FRANK is the worst permanent Big Six manager in the history of the Premier League.

The Spurs boss holds the lowest points per game and win percentage of any ‘Big Six’ head coach with 10 or more Premier League matches to their name.

That rules out interim/caretakers as well as those at Manchester City before the Abu Dhabi takeover and with Tottenham pre-Harry Redknapp.

When it comes to Prem spells for Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, City, Tottenham, and Liverpool, Frank is rock bottom.

From his 25 matches in charge – all this season – Frank has accumulated just 29 points.

That leaves his side firmly in the bottom half with 18th-place West Ham in the relegation zone, only six points off.

Spurs are in danger of being dragged into a scrap with Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace.

They could go below Palace on Sunday after losing 2-0 to United at Old Trafford.

That is the seventh game in a row without a win for Frank – a run that extends to one victory in 10 and just two in 16.

After Ange Postecoglou could only muster a 17th place finish last term, Frank is actually doing worse than his predecessor overall.

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Postecoglou won the Europa League in his second season, sacrificing the Prem as he focused on mid-week matches.

The Aussie had come fifth in his first year in the job but dropped off after a brilliant start.

He is also fifth on this list with an average of 1.37 points per game (PPG) from his 76, winning 40 per cent of those.

Frank has won 28 per cent, which is also the lowest number, below that of even Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.

Amorim was sacked as much for his fallout with Jason Wilcox as results but still only managed a 23 per cent win rate and 1.23 PPG.

The Portuguese boss did come above Spurs last year but that was not much to shout about.

Roy Hodgson‘s 20-game spell at Liverpool is third with just 1.25 PPG and 35 per cent wins.

Graham Potter at Chelsea (22 matches) was marginally better at 1.27 PPG but worse on 31 per cent winning rate.

Postecoglou rounds out the top (or bottom) five with Mark Hughes behind him.

The former City man is perhaps harshly done by the list as the Etihad club did not finish in the top four until the season after he left.

They haven’t dropped out of it since and missed out to Redknapp’s Spurs in Hughes’ last season, 2009-10.

He was sacked after 18 months in charge, straddling the 2008 takeover.

Roberto Mancini proved the decision to be right, winning the title in 2011-12.

It is then back to Spurs and Nuno Espirito Santo for his barely qualifying 10-match stint.

He got 1.50 PPG but still got the can quickly after failing to impress.

Kenny Dalglish is eighth with 1.51 PPG at Liverpool before Frank Lampard.

The Coventry boss is another slightly hard done by with one win in 11 games as interim at Stamford Bridge in 2023 post-Potter bringing his numbers down.

Lampard managed 1.66 PPG in his first year-and-a-half at Chelsea before being sacked in January 2021.

Rounding off the top 10 is Ralph Rangnick at Manchester United after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was shown the door.

He managed 1.54 PPG but also managed to lose himself a job as director for the following years.

To come below some of these guys might say it all for Frank.

He is wildly unpopular in North London (at least with the Tottenham fans) and things don’t get any easier.

It is the visit of Newcastle up next, followed by rivals Arsenal.

Fulham and Palace come after that with Liverpool and Forest before the end of March.

His record could somehow get even worse.

KNEEJERK or not, it must be getting tempting now.

Michael Carrick was supposed to be a stop-gap, a band-aid, a seat-warmer.

But after making it four wins out of four with this victory over his old side Spurs here, Sir Jim Ratclife and the other United powerbrokers must surely be considering the 44-year-old as a serious candidate for the gig full-time now.

Granted, Cristian Romero’s latest disciplinary horrorshow helped Carrick on his way.

The Argentine, who aimed yet another dig this week at Spurs’ board on social media, had his own disgraceful moment as he was given an early straight red for a foul on Casemiro.

United took full advantage with Bryan Mbeumo in the first half and Bruno Fernandes in the second delivering the latest three points.

Mbeumo’s strike must have been particularly painful for under-pressure Spurs chief Thomas Frank, who turned the Frenchman into a top player at Brentford.

But United were already brimming with confidence before Romero’s 29th-minute dismissal, buoyed by the recent wins and the shackles coming off after Ruben Amorim’s tactical strait-jacket.

Fernandes, floating here, there and everywhere, was on fire again, even trying a rabona cross at one point.

The recalled Kobbie Mainoo looked revitalised. Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo seemed to be enjoying themselves almost as much as the fans in the stands.

Perhaps it is just that new-manager bounce, and United have been here before with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But no one can deny the lift Carrick – a legend here as a player – has provided, which surely strengthens the case to give him the job on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile, Frank must be ruing the day he named Cristian Romero captain.

The Argentine may have come up with some memorable goals this season, such as point-saving, last-gasp efforts at Newcastle and Burnley.

But his disciplinary record has become a liability again – after a mild curbing of his hothead ways under predecessor Ange Postecogloiu.

His red card here was his second of the season, after a brainless kickout on Ibrahima Konate against Liverpool in December.

The World Cup winner also has eight yellow cards to his name.

All told, his upcoming four-game suspension which he will earn for this latest infringement will be his FOURTH separate ban this term.

When you add in the headaches he has caused Frank with his social-media activity, it is hardly what you want from your skipper.

Spurs had actually started this game fairly well, shifting to a back four from the back three of recent weeks.

It was a good watch, if not jam-packed with chances, with the likes of Fernandes, Diallo and Cunha enjoying the freedom under Carrick to pop the ball about.

Spurs travelling fans were doing plenty of revelling too, mainly about their Europa League victory over United last season.

‘Champions of Europe’ rang out from the South-East corner minutes into the game, along with ‘Johnson again ole ole’ in reference to the now departed Brennan Johnson, who struck that winner in Bilbao.

They also powered out a rendition of ‘Romero’s right, the board is s****” twice – albeit before the Argentine’s sending-off.

The two teams traded half-chances – Conor Gallagher with a tame volley, Casemiro with a long-range blast and Cunha also threatening from range – before the first-half’s flash point.

Romero’s fellow World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez had lofted a ball up the pitch which Micky van de Ven headed clear, before Romero picked up possession.

He attempted to dribble his way out of trouble but then caught South American counterpart Casemiro badly on the ankle, leaving the Brazilian writhing in agony.

Ref Michael Oliver did not hesitate, instantly brandishing the red.

Romero took his time to come off and was eventually barracked by the home supporters as he trudged down the tunnel, no doubt reflecting on the latest event in a mad week.

Carrick’s side had already looked full of confidence from their restorative, winning run but the unexpected man advantage was another welcome boost.

Taking the lead seemed just a matter of time, and on 38 minutes, the United opener duly arrived.

Frank’s Spurs have been one of the best in the league for goals from corners this term but Carrick’s side played them at their own game here.

It was a corner routine that looked to be straight off the training ground as Fernandes fired the flag-kick low to Mainoo near the edge of the six-yard area and touchline.

Mainoo then cleverly flicked the ball around the corner to a lurking Mbeumo, who stroked home his tenth goal of the season.

United had two goals ruled out in the second half for offside before Fernandes finally killed off Spurs for good.

The Portuguese playmaker, once a target for Tottenham before his move to United six years ago, shinned home a Diogo Dalot cross with nine minutes to go – and he looked to mean it too.

Frank had to endure chants of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ once again as the minutes ticked down.

Albeit at least this time those taunts came from the home fans rather than from those of Spurs.

Meanwhile, Carrick heard his name sung to the words of ‘He’s magic you know’ after conjuring up his latest win.

CRISTIANO ROMERO was sent off for Tottenham against Manchester United just days after his stunning rant against the club’s board.

The World Cup winner was given his marching orders by referee Michael Oliver following a horror challenge on Casemiro.

The Spurs captain left his studs on the ankle of the United midfielder as he went for the ball, leaving Casemiro writhing in agony.

Oliver then sent the 27-year-old for an early shower in the 29th minute.

The Premier League Match Centre confirmed the decision “was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that the challenge was made with excessive force and endangered an opponent”.

And because it is the second time Romero has been sent off in the Premier League this season – his first coming with two yellows against Liverpool in December – he will now have to serve a four-game ban.

As a result, the Argentine will miss the North London derby at home to Arsenal, as well as home games against Newcastle and Crystal Palace and a trip to Fulham.

The latest sending off also further compounded Romero’s poor disciplinary record.

No player in the Premier League has been sent off more often than his six times in all competitions since his Spurs debut in August 2021.

His fourth Premier League sending off also saw him join Younes Kaboul for the most in the club’s competition history.

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Furthermore, the eight yellow cards he has to his name in the league this year mean he is two cards away from another ban for ten yellow cards, which would result in a two-game ban.

When the transfer window shut on Monday, Romero launched into an explosive rant on social media as he bemoaned a “disgraceful” January.

He had said following the 2-2 draw with Manchester City: “Great effort from all my team-mates 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.”

Romero’s absence over the next four games will only intensify the selection headache for Spurs boss Thomas Frank in the coming weeks.

The club are without Kevin Danso,Richarlison,James Maddison,Lucas Bergvall,Mohammed Kudus,Dejan Kulusevski, Pedro Porro,Djed Spence,Rodrigo Bentancur,and Ben Davies due to injury.

Frank sacrificed Wilson Oderbert for Radu Dragusin as a result of the sending off, but it only took nine minutes for the Red Devils to capitalise on their extra player advantage.

MANCHESTER UNITED will be desperate to build on their winning run when they host Tottenham in a blockbuster lunchtime kick-off – and they are in the perfect position to do so!

Spurs skipper Cristian Romero received his second red card of the season after committing a horror tackle on Casemiro.

And then minutes later, Bryan Mbeumo put Carrick’s rejuvenated Red Devils ahead with a wonderful set-piece goal.

Live stream: discovery+

TV channel: TNT Sports 1

Man Utd starting team: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo

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

Follow all the action with our LIVE blog below…

MANCHESTER UNITED will be desperate to build on their winning run when they host Tottenham in a blockbuster lunchtime kick-off this afternoon!

The Red Devils seemed to have turned a new leaf since Michael Carrick’s appointment having won their last three consecutive Premier League matches including victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.

And they now host a Spurs side who recently held Pep’s side to a draw, but find themselves just nine points off the bottom three.

Kick-off time: 12:30pm GMT

Live stream: discovery+

TV channel: TNT Sports 1

Man Utd starting team: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo

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

Follow all the action with our LIVE blog below…

I ALWAYS played with an extra edge against London sides — something Sir Alex Ferguson would drill into me and Paul Ince.

Because the manager looked at us as being London boys, he would target us to have an added incentive in these fixtures — and in this instance, put one over Tottenham.

I had that adrenalin anyway with Spurs because their manager, Terry Venables, had spoken to me about joining them before I moved to Manchester United in 1991, so it was always something special to beat them.

The second half of this 1992-93 season suddenly changed after Sir Alex signed French star and maverick Eric Cantona from Leeds.

This was his sixth Prem game for the club and the fourth in a row in which he scored.

Eric brought us a completely new dynamic — he gave us that X-factor.

Where the opposition had previously set out a plan to deal with our wide players or try to contain Brian McClair and Mark Hughes, suddenly there was this eccentric playing genius who no one had a clue what he was going to do next.

In his 22 Prem games from when he made his debut in early December, he recorded TWENTY goal involvements — nine goals and 11 assists. Incredible figures.

Eric was very quiet away from the pitch.

For such an expressive player — together with that wonderful swagger and arrogance to his game — he was so humble and ordinary.

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We always used to laugh in training about getting the “Eric expression” — you hoped you’d get the smile because if he gave you the eyes or the grimace, you knew you were in trouble.

He was the most brilliant team-mate, so dedicated and the moment he arrived at the club everybody just adored him. He was the cog that took us to the next level.

I’d urge anyone to get a link to this game from 33 years ago at Old Trafford and admire Eric’s sublime chip over the Tottenham defence for Denis Irwin to run on and make it 2-0.

For the record, Eric had given us the lead just before half-time with a header, then Denis added a stunning second before Brian made it three with a long ranger.

I scored what would be my only league goal for United to make it four, running forward and getting a great one-two with Brian, picking up the return in the area and hitting a right-foot shot past keeper Erik Thorstvedt.

Going on to win the title in 1992-93 having been so close the previous season was amazing.

I spent five years at United, won the league twice, the FA Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield.

I found out years later that previous United manager Ron Atkinson tried to sign me while I was still at Fulham in 1985 before I had joined QPR, so I regret I wasn’t part of the European Cup Winners’ Cup success in 1990-91, the season before I joined.

Now, 33 years later, you couldn’t not be impressed by the start interim boss Michael Carrick has made with three wins out of three for United against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham.

When I was asked before the season where I thought United needed to finish, I said it would have to be top eight — even though they were 15th last season.

We’re talking Manchester United — one of the biggest teams in the world.

But I don’t think the Premier League is as strong this season, with so many inconsistent teams.

Unbeaten in six, if Carrick and the team can go on a run and be consistent, there is no doubt they can push for the top four.

Ultimately, a European place has to be the goal.

*Interview: RUSSELL LANNING

MANCHESTER UNITED welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday as Michael Carrick looks to register a fourth successive victory.

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Man Utd vs Tottenham preview

Manchester United will be aiming to keep their perfect record under interim manager Michael Carrick intact when Tottenham visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

Carrick’s audition for the job on a permanent basis couldn’t have started much better having overseen three straight wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Fulham.

That run has extended United’s unbeaten streak to seven matches, lifting them up to fourth in the table and into the Champions League places – just five points behind third-placed Aston Villa.

The Red Devils last put together four consecutive wins in February 2024 under Erik ten Hag, while their longest unbeaten run in recent years came back in February 2022, when they went eight games without defeat under Ralf Rangnick.

Carrick’s impact has been stark. United have scored more goals than anyone else during his tenure, created the joint-most big chances (11), and rank third for expected goals from open play (4.20).

So it’s no surprise that the 44-year-old has quickly become the bookmakers’ favourite to take charge next season. He’s currently priced at 4/6, with the likes of Oliver Glasner (5/1) and Gareth Southgate (6/1) drifting.

Still, Carrick will know that this weekend is a difficult assignment, especially given United’s recent struggles against Spurs.

United haven’t won any of their last six league meetings with Tottenham, who ran out 3-0 winners in this fixture last season. In fact, Spurs are unbeaten in their last eight games against United across all competitions, winning five and drawing three – their longest-ever unbeaten run against the club.

That should be a positive base for Thomas Frank to build on after their recent uptick in results.

While Spurs are winless in their last six Premier League matches, they are unbeaten in four and eased into the Champions League last 16 with convincing wins over Borussia Dortmund and Frankfurt. They also showed heart last weekend by coming back from two goals down against Manchester City.

Away form has been a strength, too. Five of Tottenham’s seven league wins this season have come on the road.

Man Utd vs Tottenham preview betting odds

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Man Utd vs Tottenham preview betting tips and predictions

Goalscorer

We’re backing Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke to keep his hot streak going by finding the net at Old Trafford, priced at 13/5 with Betfair.

It’s no coincidence that Spurs’ unbeaten run has lined up with the return of their talisman. The fit-again 28-year-old has scored in each of his last four appearances, including a brace against Manchester City last week.

Solanke also has an excellent record against Manchester United, scoring five goals in his last five games against them in all competitions. He’s averaging a goal every 88 minutes this season, which is the best strike rate of any Spurs player.

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Home goals

We’re also backing Manchester United to score a few at home this weekend, with over 2.5 United goals available at 13/8 with Betfair.

As mentioned earlier, United have looked sharp going forward under Carrick – things have clicked. Over the last three Premier League games, they have the joint-most goals scored and big chances created (11), along with the third-highest expected goals from open play (4.20).

While Spurs are unbeaten in four, their league form remains shaky. Thomas Frank’s side have picked up just three points from a possible 15 and conceded 10 goals in their last five league matches. Only Burnley have posted a higher expected goals conceded figure over the last three games.

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CONOR GALLAGHER aims to be the beating heart in Tottenham’s new-look midfield.

But what some fans may not be aware of is that the England man had to have surgery on his ticker aged 18 to correct an irregular beat.

Spurs’ marquee January signing has now opened up on the experience, along with his struggles with a knee condition as a teenager, in an illuminating piece with the FA.

Telling his football origin story in the first person for an article aimed at inspiring kids, Gallagher explained how his heart issue cropped up on international duty.

It came in 2018 with England’s Under-19s, a year on from winning the Under-17 World Cup in India alongside the likes of Phil Foden and best pal Marc Guehi.

The former Chelsea star, 26, divulged: “I was 18 at the time and we were in Finland for the Euro Finals.

“One day during training I just felt my heart beating really fast for no apparent reason.

“I noticed it, but didn’t think anything of it, so I carried on and I remember playing a game the day after, when we faced France and it was a game we needed to win.

“I still remember the game, they were a strong team, really quick, great with the ball and we struggled and got beat 5-0.

“I got through the game though and luckily enough nothing bad happened.

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“But it was when I came back to Chelsea for pre-season and in the first session back I joined the group of players who were going to be going out on loan that season when I felt dizzy and that’s when I knew there was something wrong.

“I went to the doctor and once they did all the heart checks, they realised the problem and I had minor heart surgery which basically saw them trigger my heart back to beating normally.

“Since then I’ve had no problems and hopefully I won’t again, but I was very grateful.”

Gallagher also spoke about growing up with three football-mad older brothers, often having to play in goal when they played games in the back garden.

He explained how surprised he was by eldest sibling Dan’s quality when facing his Aldershot in pre-season with Chelsea, when Conor was still only 17.

That was after Gallagher had overcome his issues with Osgood-Schlatter disease, a common source of knee pain in active adolescents.

Many players struggled with it during their teenage years, including Gallagher’s former Under-21s colleague Jarrad Branthwaite.

It can severely limit a youngster’s progress as some can struggle to run with it, let alone train.

Gallagher revealed his nervousness at the time that it may affect his career, given how team-mates were being offered scholarships while he was forced to wait.

The £35million signing from Atletico Madrid added: “I started to have problems with my knees as I was growing up and at times, I was really struggling to run which is quite a blow when you want to be a midfielder as I always have.

“I’ve since learned that it’s actually a common issue that a lot of young people have growing up, called Osgood-Schlatter disease.

“I had it quite severely for a few years and it really affected my football at the time

“I couldn’t run or sprint properly, which means you won’t be as effective in games, but Chelsea were brilliant, they really believed in me and I was able to come back stronger.

“I had to change my position a little bit in games, I moved out from the middle to the right where I didn’t need to be as athletic, but eventually I grew through it and I was able to kick-on.

“I was concerned at the time though, because a lot of the boys were being offered scholarships and pro deals so I was nervous for obvious reasons.

“I was eventually offered a scholarship, while all the other boys got a pro deal, so I was at the back of the pecking order at that stage and had a lot of work to do and that was what I did.”

FORMER Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici has taken a swipe at his former by insisting his new bosses at Fiorentina are ‘very serious’.

Paratici, 53, said that Fiorentina’s owners didn’t persuade him to quit Spurs, revealing the decision instead was his alone.

Paratici’s shock exit came just weeks after he was welcomed back at Spurs as co-sporting director alongside Johan Lange.

He said: “It may have seemed like a rash decision but it was actually a brave one.

“Brave because when you make a rash decision you don’t know what you’re doing.

“When you make a brave one it’s because you’ve weighed it up and mulled over the reasons to take it.

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

On his Viola Park unveiling, Paratici said he didn’t return to Serie A for the “weather and the pasta”.

The Italian powerbroker said: “The Premier League right now is football’s NBA.

“At the same time, as an Italian, I had the desire to come back and compete in Serie A. It’s a top league, very tough.”

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Paratici’s exit came just weeks after his surprising Spurs return.

The Italian had only just been welcomed back following a two-and-a-half year global football ban for orchestrating a transfer scam at Juventus.

His comeback was announced mid-January as Tottenham were scrambling to strengthen their squad.

Paratici joined the Lilywhites back in June 2021 as managing director of football.

In his first season, they went from seventh to fourth in the league – securing a Champions League spot.

The experienced transfer guru said: “To do this job with a club like Fiorentina was a source of real motivation.

“To do it with these owners, who are very serious, and infrastructure that’s super international, a brand known all over the world and people who share my ideas on.

“The game was more than enough for me to come back and work here.”

Paratici said that he decided to join Fiorentina in mid-December when Fiorentina only had six points.

Adding that Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli is “the Lion King of the dressing room“.

TOTTENHAM have drafted Conor Gallagher, Radu Dragusin and Mathys Tel into their Champions League squad for the knockouts.

But there is no room for Yves Bissouma or long-term injury absentee Dejan Kulusevski.

Thomas Frank was allowed to make three changes to his List A of 22 first-team players to be eligible from the last-16 round which takes place in March.

He had chosen to remove injured pair Rodrigo Bentancur and Ben Davies as well as Brennan Johnson, who was sold to Crystal Palace last month for £35million.

Bentancur is out for a few months after undergoing hamstring surgery.

Welsh full-back Davies also faces an extended period on the sidelines due to a fractured ankle.

Tel, 20, was left off the original squad back in September but then came back in for the Slavia Prague game in December.

That was due to an injury loophole which allowed Dominic Solanke to temporarily drop out, but the England striker was back in for Tel for last month’s vital wins over Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Tel was left “disappointed” by that call, according to Frank, but now the winger is back in.

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Centre-back Dragusin was also left out originally as he worked his way back from a serious knee injury sustained last January in the Europa League.

The Romanian, 24, played his first 90 minutes in 372 days in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.

England man Gallagher, 26, only arrived last month after signing from Atletico Madrid for £35m.

Bissouma, 29, has been brought back in from the cold in recent weeks by Frank, despite Spurs initially wanting to sell the Mali captain earlier in January.

While the return date to action for Kulusevski, 25, remains unknown, having had kneecap surgery in May last year.

Spurs’ Champions League squad can be supplemented by a number of young players from their B list, such as wonderkid Luca Williams-Barnett and recent debutant Jun’ai Byfield.