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Tottenham Hotspur could be without up to nine players against Manchester United on Thursday.

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Tottenham turn their attention away from the Premier League this week, as they host Manchester United in a Carabao Cup quarter-final on Thursday night.

Ange Postecoglou’s side beat Southampton 5-0 last time out - they scored all five goals in the first half. It left them 10th in the Premier League, five points away from the top four. However, the recent form for Tottenham has been inconsistent. They have only won one game in their last six. Their last win before the Southampton game came against Manchester City in November.

They welcome a Manchester United side who won the Manchester derby last weekend. The result saw Ruben Amorim’s side claim their first victory against City since the 2024 FA Cup final, which kept Erik ten Hag his job at the time. Spurs are dealing with up to eight injuries for the game on Thursday. On top of that, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is still suspended after his racial slur about teammate Heung-Min Son last month.

Here’s how Spurs could line up against United:

GK - Fraser Forster

Forster has been playing recently in place of the injured Vicario, who will likely remain side-lined until well into 2025. He has made nine appearances this season, keeping two clean sheets.

LB - Djed Spence

Spence featured at right-back against the Saints for what was his first Premier League start since joining Spurs in 2022. He will likely replace Destiny Udogie, who is injured.

CB - Radu Dragusin

Dragusin has featured heavily this season as both Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero are out with hamstring issues.

CB - Archie Gray

Due to Spurs’ recent injury problems at centre-back, 18-year-old Gray has been filling in despite being a natural midfielder. Gray’s versatility has helped Postecoglou considerably this season, after he joined in the summer transfer window from Leeds United.

RB - Pedro Porro

The Argentine came on as a substitute against Southampton, but he will likely start against United as he is fully fit yet again.

CDM - Yves Bissouma

The former Brighton midfielder missed out on the Southampton match due to picking up five yellow cards this season. He will be back for selection on Thursday and likely back into Postecoglou’s starting XI.

CDM - Pape Matar Sarr

CAM - James Maddison

Maddison had arguably his best game of the season last time out, scoring Spurs’ opener and fifth goal during the game.

LW - Brennan Johnson

Johnson was dropped against the Saints in favour of playing Maddison in attacking midfield. He could return to the starting XI against United.

RW - Dejan Kulusevski

The Sweden international scored against Southampton and has to be one of Postecoglou’s first names on the team sheet. He has five goals and seven assists this season.

ST - Heung-Min Son

Postecoglou could decide to drop Dominic Solanke in favour of playing Johnson on the wing, which would place Son up front for the game on Thursday. He scored one goal and contributed two assists against Southampton.

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The EFL have made their referee appointments ahead of Spurs’ EFL Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.

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Tottenham Hotspur will continue their quest for a first trophy since 2008 on Thursday, when they face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Ange Postecoglou’s side come off the back of a 5-0 win against Southampton, which resulted in the Saints sacking manager Russell Martin. It left Spurs 10th in the Premier League, but they are only five points off the Champions League places.

However, Postecoglou’s attention will be turned to the EFL Cup as he tries to win a trophy in his second season as Spurs’ boss. However, his side are ravaged by injuries, with up to eight players that could miss the match.

They face Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United who beat rivals Man City 2-1 in the Manchester derby - a game where they equalised in the 88th minute before netting a winner in the 90th.

EFL appoint referee and officials for Spurs vs United clash

John Brooks has been appointed by the EFL for the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs last saw him in their 4-0 win against Manchester City in November.

This season, he has officiated 13 games in all competitions including the Europa League, Premier League and Championship. He has dished out 72 yellow cards, which is an average of 5.54 per game. Brooks is yet to produce a red card this season.

His assistants will be Simon Bennett and Daniel Robathan, who are both yet to be the referee in a match this season. They have both been the assistant pairing for John Brooks on multiple occasions this season.

The fourth official on Thursday is Gavin Ward, who has officiated 14 games this season in both the Championship and EFL Cup. Ward has given 61 yellow cards and five red cards this season.

Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool in a huge Premier League contest on Sunday

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Liverpool striker Diogo Jota missed training on Monday just days after returning from injury in a fresh concern for the Merseyside club ahead of the busy festive period. The Portugal international limped out of Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Chelsea in mid-October and only returned to action against Fulham over the weekend.

The forward came off the bench to score for 10-man Liverpool as they drew 2-2 with the Cottagers at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. Their next Premier League game is a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday but they first face Southampton in the last eight of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Providing an update on the player, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said on Tuesday: "Diogo would have been definitely one that it was ideal for him to play, but after the [Fulham] game he wasn't completely fit, so he didn't train with us yesterday. Let's see if he can train with us today. Don't expect him to start. Hopefully he can make some minutes, but don't expect him to start tomorrow."

Jota has five goals and two assists in 11 Liverpool appearances this season. He has played Tottenham six times in the Premier League - twice as a Wolves player and four times since joining Liverpool - with three goals and one assist against the North London club. The Reds are also likely to be without Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate against Spurs but left-back Kostas Tsimikas is "close" to a return. Slot added: “Kostas is coming close. He’s going to be training with us today [Tuesday], maybe for the first time, so let’s see how that works out.”

Sunday’s fixture could prove to be a huge one in terms of the Premier League title race. Spurs' rivals Chelsea have the chance to go top of the table on Saturday as they face Everton at Goodison Park. Victory for the Blues will move them into first place ahead of kick off in North London on Sunday. Only a Liverpool win will put the Reds back on top for Christmas Day.

However, Blues boss Enzo Maresca has been keen to play down his side's title credentials, as he said after Sunday's 2-1 win over Brentford: “No matter how many games we are going to win, I think we’re not ready to compete for the title. One of the reasons is I think the team that knows how to compete to win titles will not concede a goal like we concede. On 90 minutes, a throw-in for us and we concede a goal. A team that knows how to win titles, that goal they’re not to going to concede. It’s why I continue to say that we are not ready for titles. Even if you don’t believe me. I would love the pressure to compete for the title. But we cannot concede the goal we concede and open the game and give them the chance to take a point here.”

Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur will serve his full seven-game suspension an independent appeal board dismissed an appeal from the player. Bentancur was hit with the ban by the FA for a racist remark made about teammate Son Heung-Min and the South Korea national side during the summer.

The 27-year-old has already missed key matches against Chelsea and Manchester City after missing five matches. He was also handed a £100,000 fine by the FA as the results of an investigation were confirmed last month. The denial of the appeal means he will be out of Thursday's Carabao Cup clash at home to Manchester United and miss Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.

An FA statement read: "An independent Appeal Board has dismissed an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur in relation to his recent suspension. An independent Regulatory Commission imposed a seven-match suspension on the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder for an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview. This appeal was dismissed following a hearing, and the seven-match suspension remains as ordered by the Regulatory Commission. The Appeal Board’s written reasons for its decision will be published in due course."

Liverpool will be boosted by the return of Arne Slot and Andy Robertson on Sunday after both men were hit with one-game bans. Robertson was sent off against Fulham on Saturday while Slot picked up his third yellow card of the season. The Reds' involvement in the Carabao Cup in midweek means the pair will be banned against managerless Southampton at St Mary's rather than serving their respective suspensions in the Premier League.

Slot addressed his touchline suspension ahead of the Reds' trip to Southampton: "I think in general I am calm, but, I don't know if it is smart to say this, but there is also a limit for me - let's put it that way - and then I can get emotional. Unfortunately that limit is only reached by refereeing decisions, more so than the decision my players make, because they make more good decisions than the referees do. In my opinion. For my team. The Chelsea game was emotional. We should have had a second penalty but the VAR changed it. This game I think there were a lot of controversial decisions being made. So, as I said, the Chelsea game was emotional and maybe I should stay just underneath [the line] than going above. It is what it is."

A Premier League statement also confirmed because Robertson was shown a straight red, his ban could be served in another domestic competition. It read: "The Scot received a red card in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Fulham after denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. He won't miss any Premier League matches, however, as he will serve his ban in the EFL Cup quarter-final versus Southampton in midweek."

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Tottenham Hotspur have a chance to get to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a win against Manchester United.

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Tottenham Hotspur will be keen to follow on from their 5-0 win against Southampton at the weekend, as they have a chance to get closer to an elusive piece of silverware.

Ange Postecoglou’s side play against Manchester United on Thursday 18 December in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, which could put them one game away from a trip to Wembley.

Spurs haven’t won a trophy since the 2008 League Cup and have developed a reputation for their lack of silverware over the past 15 years. Postecoglou had also claimed before the season that he always wins a trophy in his second year at a club, adding a further layer of narrative to Thursday’s clash against United.

Spurs will host Ruben Amorim’s side who beat rivals Manchester City 2-1 last weekend, in what was United’s first Manchester derby win since last season’s FA Cup final.

The game will kick off at 8 pm and Spurs arguably have a lot more to lose, due to it being their first chance of winning a trophy this year under Postecoglou.

EFL pick match officials for crucial quarter-final

The EFL have announced who will officiate the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night. John Brooks will referee the match. It will be his 14th game this season after dishing out 72 yellow cards, but no reds.

Brooks has also taken charge of seven matches in the Premier League, including Tottenham’s impressive 4-0 win against Manchester City in November - a game in which he handed out six yellow cards.

He was also recently the referee during what became a feisty affair between Wolves and West Ham, resulting in a post-match argument between players from both teams.

Brooks’ assistants will be Simon Bennett and Daniel Robathan who have both worked with Books on multiple occasions this season, including the two aforementioned games.

Gavin Ward will be the fourth official. He has mainly been a Championship referee this season. He has officiated 13 games this season, with 58 yellow cards and five reds.

Manchester United have suffered a fresh injury blow ahead of Thursday’s Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur

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Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United both head into Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter final in high spirits after the two sides picked up important wins in the Premier League on Sunday.

After a worrying run of form, Spurs hammered Southampton 5-0 at St Mary’s, with all five goals coming in the first half. James Maddison opened and closed the scoring with a goal in the first minute along with a strike in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time. It proved to be the final straw for Russell Martin at the Saints, as he was sacked late on Sunday night. That was the second Premier League sacking of the day after Wolves also parted company with Gary O’Neil less than a week after a 2-1 loss at West Ham and following on from a dramatic defeat against Ipswich Town by the same scoreline.

In Manchester, United were involved in some drama of their own as they piled the misery on Manchester City and boosted Arsenal and Chelsea’s Premier League title hopes. Pep Guardiola’s side led the Manchester derby 1-0 until the 88th minute but lost 2-1 to their rivals after a Bruno Fernandes penalty and a 90th-minute winner from forward Amad - who had also won the spotkick just a few minutes earlier.

However, there was a tinge of disappointment for the Red Devils as former Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount was injured early in the game. Our sister title Manchester World has reported that manager Ruben Amorim says Mount asked to be replaced after he 'stretched his leg'. Mount has been plagued by injury problems over the last 18 months and has already missed 30 games for United since his move from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford in the summer of 2023. He was consoled by teammates as he received treatment on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium as he looked on the verge of tears.

Amorim said of the midfielder: "Mason Mount, he stretched his leg in play. He felt something, so let's recover. He is really important for us, he is the kind of player I really like. He is the kind of player that our team needed, because he is talented, he works really hard and he is humble. So we need him a lot."

Reflecting on the result, Amorim added: “I think we did a great job, we controlled it very well. We didn’t allow much, of course we don’t create so much either but it was a divided game. But we believed a lot. It was different from Arsenal, we controlled the Arsenal game in the first half but I didn’t feel that belief. Today I felt it and I think that was the key point to change the game. I think for the fans it has a deep meaning especially in this context, this moment, but we had a difficult moment one week ago against Nottingham (Forest) at home, in the storm. After this match we are more happy, three points, but we have to continue and don’t stop. Next week we are playing again and it will change the way we see the team. Today is a good day, let’s enjoy it for 10 minutes and then think about the next game.”

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The Preston North End forward has been subject of Premier League transfer rumours in the past.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been credited with new interest in Preston North End youngster Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile as the January transfer window looms large.

The 18-year-old is yet to break through into the Championship outfit's first team but is a well-known prospect across the divisions. Manchester United were linked with a move for the academy player two years ago and the forward's development continues to catch the eye of Premier League suitors.

Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that Spurs are looking at a move to invest in the future star but will face competition from top flight rivals Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest. The outlet claims that Rodriguez-Gentile's 'great maturity' and 'versatility' have impressed scouts in recent months.

The report adds: "With his technical ability, vision and ability to beat opponents, he has shown that he has the tools to be an important asset to any elite team."

The player is yet to make his senior debut for Preston North End, having joined from Merseyside outfit Huyton Juniors in 2021. He's contracted at Deepdale until 2026, which does put off any immediate need for the Championship side to listen to Premier League bids.

Rodriguez-Gentile was afforded an outing in pre-season by Ryan Lowe and was in the first six matchday squads of the season, but was never afforded time off the bench. He continues his development in the under-21 and under-19 sides with Paul Heckingbottom now in charge.

Man Utd and Liverpool once linked with Preston teenager

In 2022, The Mirror reported that Manchester United and Liverpool had been looking at a deal for the youngster after he bagged 18 goals in 10 outings for his Preston youth side. One of those fixtures was an FA Youth Cup match against Rotherham United, when he plundered five goals.

Speaking after that match, he told the Preston North End website: “When I scored the hat-trick to make it 3-1, I was just running around. I didn’t know what to do. It was a very good experience. I thought maybe I would come on for the last ten minutes, maybe I’ll assist.

"It's very good, especially after this game because it’s the biggest game I’ve ever played so, to perform like that, I feel very proud of myself."

At the time, former Preston boss Ryan Lowe warned: “He’s a good little player, we’ve got to be careful he’s only 16 but he will come up and train with us soon. He’s an exciting prospect, we will obviously keep tabs on him but we can’t let ourselves get too carried away with him yet.”

There were two Premier League managers sacked on Sunday as the relegation battle took another twist

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West Ham and Crystal Palace’s Premier League relegation rivals Wolves have parted company with manager Gary O’Neil. The Molineux outfit sit 19th in the table with just nine points from their opening 16 games. They are only above Southampton, who sacked manager Russell Martin on Sunday night after a 5-0 loss against Tottenham Hotspur.

Wolves are seven points behind 15th-placed Crystal Palace and nine adrift of West Ham, who are one position above the Eagles. The Irons picked up an important win over Wolves last Monday to put some distance between themselves and the bottom three. Tomas Soucek opened the scoring at the London Stadium before Matt Doherty levelled for the visitors. However, Jarrod Bowen soon put the Hammers back in front to claim a vital three points for the under-pressure Julen Lopetegui. After the defeat to West Ham, O’Neil was given one final chance to save his job as Wolves hosted Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon. However, they were dramatically beaten 2-1 as Jack Taylor scored a winner for the Tractor Boys in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

After the game, an irate O’Neil was annoyed by both the goals his side conceded, calling the first “unacceptable” as Doherty scored an own goal. He said: “The set-play goal, I would happily take responsibility for it if the players were stood in the right place. For some reason two of them have decided to change roles very late on in the game. I’m 100 per cent confident if they were in the right spot our player heads it away. That’s the players’ decision-making under stress. Players will change things around and try and find fixes all the time but that’s a real poor decision from them in an important moment.”

He continued: “I know the work that I do every day and I know the situation that we’re in. I know that getting this group to perform the way they did took a lot of work today. So of course people can point a finger at me but some of the responsibility has to land on the players in those moments. When we get in good situations and we spoon the ball off the pitch, I can’t help them with that. That’s like, ‘Come on guys, it’s the Premier League now’… I’m really comfortable with myself as a coach, my standards, what I ask of the group and what I’m going to do over the next however many years that I decide to be a coach for.

“But I also embrace this difficult moment. That group downstairs need me again this week to help get them in a place where they’re ready to go and I’ll keep fighting for them and with them until I’m told not to. But I’ve no concerns around that. That doesn’t mean that I don’t think I’m going to get sacked as obviously with every result that comes, the chances of me losing my job will heighten as we all know, it’s nothing new. But it doesn’t concern me. The situation drives me to want to be better and drives me to to get more out of the group.”

However, O’Neil will not get the chance to get Wolves out of the relegation zone as a short statement confirmed his departure with club chairman Jeff Shi stating: “We’re very grateful to Gary for all of his effort, dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team the best of luck for the future.”

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Tottenham Hotspur must get talks going with several first team stars if they hope to keep them in North London next season.

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It's all eyes on Tottenham Hotspur at the moment with Ange Postecoglou facing critics for his tactics in North London after a stuttering start to the season.

Spurs invested heavily during the summer window with Dominic Solanke, Alfie Gray and Wilson Odobert all coming in for sizeable fees. However, recent form has pointed to a potential need for further spending come January.

As well as transfers, the club must think about the contracts of current players who risk leaving as free agents at the end of the campaign. LondonWorld looks at who those six first team stars are.

Son Heung-min

Spurs are reported to have a one-year extension clause in their star man's contract but there are no confirmed reports of that having been triggered as of yet. In November, The Mirror reported that the South Korea international was hoping to stay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but is in favour of a new deal rather than simply having the existing clause activated.

Speaking in September, the player said: "We haven't talked about anything yet. It is very clear from me. I am very focused on this season.

"At this age, every second is like a goal, especially this season, we are in a lot of competitions, it feels like I am taking even more care about this. As I say, I am fully focused on this year and just want to win something that everybody at the club - the players, all around - deserves.

"That's what I'm working for. In the future you never know what will happen, but I will give everything for this club because it's been almost 10 years and I give everything. I still have a contract with the club which is the very important thing and I just want to give everything until my contract [expires]."

Sergio Reguilon

The 27-year-old has become somewhat of a forgotten man having not played at all this season. Reguilon spent last season on loan with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Brentford.

Given his involvement, it would be somewhat of a surprise to see the former Real Madrid man awarded a new deal in North London. The player signed a five-year contract in 2020 but there is talk of a potential contract termination before that date to allow him to seek a new venture as a free agent, according to The Sunday Mirror.

Ben Davies

The Welsh international has racked up 341 appearances for Spurs but has struggled for Premier League minutes this season. He remains an important squad player and has been a regular in the Europa League.

The 31-year-old signed a contract extension with the club in 2022, which is due to expire next summer. The club holds the option for another 12 months and are expected to use that.

Fraser Forster

The goalkeeper has found himself in the spotlight all of a sudden this season after the injury to Guglielmo Vicario. It's become somewhat of an audition for the veteran, who signed an extension in December 2023 that expires next year.

Speaking at the time, the former Celtic and Southampton man said: "I have loved my time here so far and I delighted to extend that. It is fantastic working for a new manager. Everyone loves him. You can see what we are producing and it is great to be a part of that."

Alfie Whitman

The 26-year-old is yet to play this season but has featured on the bench for a couple of the more recent Europa League fixtures. Whitman only has one first team appearance to his name for Spurs, coming in a 2020 Europa League match against Ludogrets - which the side won 4-0. The goalkeeper extended his contract with the club in February 2023, signing on until 2025.

Timo Werner

Tottenham Hotspur agreed a deal with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in May to extend Werner's loan another season, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2024/25 campaign. The forward first arrived at the club in January and Spurs did hold the option to make his move permanent for £15 million over the summer - that option is still there for next year, but is now lowered to £8.5 million.

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Liverpool will travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a key first team member next weekend.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a huge boost ahead of facing Liverpool next weekend after the Premier League leaders enjoyed a nightmare of a start against Fulham this afternoon.

Arne Slot welcomed the Cottagers to Anfield with the chance of going seven points clear at the summit. However, it was the London outfit who took the lead after just 11 minutes through former Manchester United man Andreas Perreira.

Just six minutes later, the match went from bad to worse for Liverpool as the experienced Andrew Robertson was shown a red card for bringing down Harry Wilson as the winger broke through on goal. A lengthy VAR check took place, but the Scottish international was given his marching orders and will now face a ban.

A post on social media platform X from the Premier League Match Centre account read: "The referee issued a red card to Robertson for a foul on Wilson which denied a goal scoring opportunity. VAR checked to confirm the red card and that Wilson was in an onside position."

Liverpool travel to Southampton in Carbao Cup action on Wedensday night before making the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday to take on Ange Postecoglou's side. Roberton has faced Spurs 18 times in his career but is set to miss out with Slot having to field a second-choice defence.

Reacing to the red card, Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live said: "He is gone. Red card. It's denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

"What an absolute stinking afternoon for Andrew Robertson. Had that collision earlier, then deflected Pereira's shot in and then has been sent off."

Tottenham Hotspur are first in Premier League action against Southampton on Sunday evening before the clash against Liverpool just before Christmas. The two sides last met in May with the Reds winning 4-1 at Anfield, having been beaten 2-1 by Spurs the previous September in London.