United In Focus - Manchester United FC News

Manchester United are looking for revenge when they take on Tottenham after losing to Ange Postecoglu’s side earlier this season.

Tottenham visited Old Trafford and won 3-0 in September, contributing to Manchester United’s poor start to the season, which eventually led to Erik ten Hag’s sacking.

Spurs, even without talisman Son Heung-min, made light work of a United side reduced to 10 men following Bruno Fernandes’ dismissal three minutes before the break for a lunge at James Maddison.

Some might say the writing was on the wall for Ten Hag that day. United were overrun, undisciplined and second-best in every department.

Ruben Amorim will be hoping to make it three consecutive wins across all competitions when United travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Progress in the Carabao Cup would provide Amorim with a two-legged semi-final in the new year.

United in Focus dives deeper into the upcoming game against Tottenham, with five things to watch out for…

Manchester United looking for first win in five against Tottenham

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last four matches against Tottenham, drawing two and winning two in the Premier League.

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The hosts are bound to be favourites to win after their 3-0 victory at Old Trafford back in September.

Interestingly, the two teams have met six times in the Carabao Cup, splitting the wins evenly, with United winning the last two such meetings.

Reds must ruin Tottenham’s impressive record in Carabao Cup quarter-finals

Although Tottenham have not won the Carabao Cup since 2008, they have a decent run in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

The London outfit go into Thursday night’s game after progressing from their last four quarter-finals in the League Cup.

Postecoglu will be hoping to continue that run against United as it would bring him a step closer to winning a piece of silverware.

United last won the Carabao Cup in 2023 and they will be hoping to eliminate Tottenham on Thursday night.

Return of United’s most prolific player in the Carabao Cup

The biggest story before last weekend’s Manchester derby was Amorim’s decision to drop Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford from the line-up.

While Rashford’s future is up in the air, Garnacho is expected to return to the team to face Tottenham.

Garnacho has an impressive record in the Carabao Cup this season with more assist than any other player in the competition. On top of that, he was the first player to manage +3 goals and assists in the League Cup

It bodes well that United are scoring goals in the Carabao Cup, registering more than any other club in the competition as Garnacho played a hand in United’s 12 goals. United’s 7-0 win over Barnsley contributed heavily to that before the Reds recorded a 5-2 win over Leicester City.

Tottenham look to repeat feat last managed in 1990

After beating United in September, Postecoglu has a chance to become the first Tottenham manager since Terry Venables in 1990 to record back-to-back wins over the Reds.

Sir Alex Ferguson was United’s manager back then and it’s one of his many stats that Amorim will want to avoid.

Amorim will aim to spoil the possibility of that happening as he looks to book a place in his first semi-final as United head coach.

Postecoglu has already got the better of Ten Hag this season…

Manchester United look to replicate previous quarter-final meeting

It has been over a decade since United last met Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The Reds came out on top with a 2-0 victory in the 2009-10 quarter-final as Darren Gibson scored a brace with two stunning strikes.

It was a Carabao Cup campaign to remember because United went on to lift the trophy following a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the final.

Manchester United will be looking for revenge when they face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.

The Red Devils have already faced Tottenham once this season and were thumped 3-0 with Bruno Fernandes controversially sent off.

Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke scored for the visitors against a United side managed by Erik ten Hag.

United should be full of confidence after their 2-1 derby win over Manchester City, while Spurs will also head into the match on a high after thumping Southampton 5-0.

When United kick off at North London on Thursday night, there will be a very different look to the side with Ruben Amorim now just over a month into his spell as head coach.

There will also likely be changes to Tottenham’s side, with Ange Postecoglou missing a few stars through injury.

Micky van de Ven a doubt for Tottenham vs Man United

Ruben Amorim provided an injury update on Mason Mount and Noussair Mazraoui ahead of Thursday’s clash – they are both doubtful for the game with Mazraoui spotted limping.

Other than that, United are close to full strength. Tottenham on the other hand, have a bit of a injury crisis in defence.

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Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is ruled out after undergoing surgery, while Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are all doubts for Thursday’s match.

Van de Ven was in tears after picking up a hamstring injury in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Manchester City.

Further up the pitch, Son Heung-Min is also being assessed after picking up a knock.

United fans will have bad memories of facing Van de Ven after his role in Tottenham’s 3-0 victory back in September.

Micky van de Ven embarrassed Man United this season

Just three minutes into United’s Premier League clash against Tottenham in September, Johnson opened the scoring for the visitors, but Van de Ven played a key role.

The Dutch defender picked up the ball in his own half and weaved through United’s defence, beating several players to reach the byline and deliver a low cross for Johnson to tap in.

“Absolutely brilliant,” said former United captain Gary Neville on commentary for Sky Sports. “One of the best runs I’ve ever seen from a centre-back”.

In their latest win over Southampton, Tottenham started with a centre-back pairing of Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin. They could keep their spots if Romero and Van de Ven are unable to make a late recovery.

Manchester United will face Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Manchester United’s reward for beating Leicester City in the Carabao Cup is a chance for revenge.

The Red Devils will travel to face Tottenham away in December in the last eight of the competition. Tottenham beat Erik ten Hag’s United 3-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford earlier this season.

New boss Ruben Amorim will be charge by then, and will be determined to reach the semi-finals and score a significant knockout victory.

Tottenham injury blow

Manchester United’s quarter-final opponents Tottenham knocked Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City out of the competition with a 2-1 win.

But their victory came at a cost, with star defender Micky van de Ven suffering a hamstring injury.

Van de Ven had to be helped off by medical staff and was in clear pain, grimacing as he left the pitch with tears in his eyes.

Van de Ven missed several weeks with a hamstring injury last season and this is a major setback.

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In Tottenham’s win over United, Van de Ven was key, sprinting halfway up the pitch in possession through United’s midfield and defence to create their first goal.

Van de Ven could miss United clash

Hamstring injuries are tough to place an exact date on in terms of recovery time. But with six weeks until Manchester United face Tottenham, it is clear Micky van de Ven is in doubt.

Considering his hamstring injury history, Tottenham are unlikely to rush him back to action.

And if he does return, Van de Ven may play with a little more caution than the free-roaming way he carved through the Manchester United team in early October.

Tottenham star James Maddison didn’t hesitate for one moment in singling out one Manchester United legend as the best Premier League player of all time.

James Maddison was previously linked with a transfer to Manchester United during his time at Leicester City before he moved to his current side Tottenham in 2023.

The 27-year-old former Leicester City star left the King Power after the Foxes were relegated and Maddison signed for Spurs in a move worth £40m.

Maddison has been a key player under Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, who arrived at Spurs in 2023 after he left Scottish side Celtic.

He has made nine appearances across all competitions for Ange Postecoglou’s men this season, with Maddison scoring twice and picking up three assists.

Maddison names Premier League ‘GOAT’

Speaking to TNT Sports, James Maddison took part in a Q&A and the Tottenham player was asked to name the best Premier League player of all time.

Maddison has talked up the influence that Wayne Rooney has had on him in the past and picked the Manchester United legend as the Premier League ‘GOAT.’

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“We’re gonna go [with] Wayne Rooney,” he said.

Wayne Rooney is considered one of the best Premier League strikers of all time after his sensational impact in England’s top-flight league.

The 38-year-old ex-United striker made a name for himself at Everton after bursting onto the scene and he caught the eye of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sir Alex Ferguson agreed a deal worth £27m to bring Rooney to Old Trafford, with the former Everton star leaving behind a long-lasting impact at United.

Rooney would shatter United legend Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time goalscoring record at the Premier League side and enjoyed incredible silverware success at the club.

Maddison on Rooney’s influence

During his time at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, a Europa League, an FA Cup and three League Cups.

Maddison revealed that the England and United legend was a “big” influence for him in his childhood and loved how Rooney played with a “personality.”

“I love Wayne Rooney and in more recent times when I started to know a little more about football and we were in the academy and there was more of a realistic chance of becoming a footballer,” he said in 2023, as per the Peeblesshire News.

“I loved Philippe Coutinho when he was at Liverpool and David Silva, who had 10 brilliant years at [Manchester] City.

“Christian Eriksen when he first came to Spurs. I would probably say Rooney was the big one in my childhood. I used to love Wazza.

“Again, he was someone who played with personality. He was a bit more feisty than me – a bit harder into a tackle – but his personality and the way he came through in the way he played. And that’s what I enjoy.”

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes escaped a suspension after his red card against Tottenham – but the damage was done.

A week ago there was huge debate amid the fallout from Bruno Fernandes’ red card against Tottenham.

Manchester United lost the game 3-0, conceding twice after Fernandes was sent off.

United had been playing poorly and the prevailing consensus was that Fernandes’ red card did not ultimately influence the end result, a Manchester United defeat.

Events at the weekend have offered an alternate view, which should only make Manchester United even more annoyed.

Tottenham crumble

Tottenham Hotspur were 2-0 up against Brighton at the weekend. They then capitulated to lose the game 3-2.

Opta reports this was the 10th Premier League game Tottenham have lost are leading by more than two goals, more than any other club.

The defeat exposed a soft centre in Ange Postecoglou’s side, which Manchester United did not manage to expose.

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United did have a period in the second half against Spurs where the Red Devils put Spurs under a little pressure, yet lacked the quality to do it. Bruno Fernandes could have helped.

Playing with 10-men for 45 minutes was a difficult task for a side which had been the poorer team with 11 – but Tottenham’s collapse against Brighton suggests, you never know.

If United had managed to get an equaliser against Tottenham, the way they played against Brighton suggests that Erik ten Hag’s side could have gone onto win it.

Perhaps not – but United will feel aggrieved not to have had the chance, when the decision to send Fernandes off was proven wrong.

Fernandes red overturned

Bruno Fernandes’ red card was overturned after an appeal. It has meant Fernandes avoided a three-match suspension.

While that helped, and almost paid off when Fernandes’ free-kick hit the bar against Villa, it really did not help against Tottenham.

Darren Fletcher was said to be fuming behind the scenes at Old Trafford when Fernandes was dismissed, representing the anger among the senior management at the club, and with good reason.

While Erik ten Hag’s side performed desperately poorly in the first half against Spurs, United were right to be annoyed at not having the chance to put it right in the second half, with a full team of players.

Manchester United’s U18s had been in red-hot form prior to this Saturday when Spurs ended the winning streak.

Adam Lawrence’s side were almost shellshocked as Tottenham raced to a 3-0 lead at half-time – with things getting worse after the break as Spurs made it 4-0.

The game looked lost for Manchester United at this point, but we know better than to count out a Lawrence side which came from behind so many times in 2023/24.

We almost witnessed an incredible comeback, with the United academy side coming from 4-0 behind to see the final scoreline read Spurs 4-3 Manchester United.

Despite defeat, there were some real standout performers for United.

Manchester United U18s lost to Tottenham

It was matchday two of the U18 Premier League Cup and United’s loss means the group has been blown wide open.

Spurs’ collapse from 4-0 ahead is slightly embarrassing though, and the comeback to 4-3 was sparked by the recently returned Shea Lacey. The super-talented 17-year-old only returned from a five-month long absence last weekend, and already he is showing his worth and reminding everyone why he’s been compared with Wayne Rooney.

Lacey scored two goals in the space of two minutes to ignite some life into the United team and give Spurs something to think about. One goal from Lacey in particular – which was assisted by Amir Ibragimov who is in excellent form in his own right – was trademark as he cut inside onto his left, beating the goalkeeper at his near post.

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After this, to nobody’s surprise, Gabriele Biancheri got himself amongst the goals as he has done in every U18 game this season. The 17-year-old Welsh striker is in red-hot form and took his tally for the season to 12 goals (11 for U18s and 1 for U21s).

Biancheri also assisted Lacey’s second for his second assist of the campaign as he continued to place himself in a position which will give Lawrence and Travis Binnion a headache in selection with the arrival of Chido Obi-Martin.

READ: Man Utd under-18s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results

Shea Lacey returns with a bang for United

Seeing Lacey back on the pitch and shining will be an incredible sight for United after he has missed the majority of 2024 through injury. United rate Lacey very highly and he was reported last season to be viewed as one player ready to step up.

Only his second game back and brace proves he has not lost an inch of his talent. After this it is likely he quite quickly be promoted to the U21 side as when he plays he is a level above the opposition at the U18 level.

Lacey is one of United’s most talented academy players – if not the most talented – and his ceiling is sky-high which makes his development this season all the more important.

Tim Howard was shocked by what one Manchester United star did during the humiliating 3-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Manchester United were outclassed by Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou’s men comfortably secured all three Premier League points on their visit to Old Trafford.

Ange Postecoglou’s side took the lead in only the third minute at Old Trafford after Brennan Johnson netted Spurs’ first of the match from close range.

Dejan Kulusevski doubled Tottenham’s advantage only two minutes into the second half before Dominic Solanke scored Spurs’ third in the 77th minute.

Erik ten Hag’s men ended the first half with only 10 men after United captain Bruno Fernandes was controversially sent off for a challenge on James Maddison.

Howard calls out Man Utd star

Speaking on NBC Sports, former Manchester United star Tim Howard pulled no punches towards Diogo Dalot for his role in Brennan Johnson’s opener.

Micky van de Ven superbly intercepted the ball in his own half before charging through the United half and playing a superb low cross to Johnson.

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Johnson arrived at the back post and the 23-year-old Spurs star effortlessly tapped the ball into the United net to put Tottenham into the lead.

However, Diogo Dalot failed to track Johnson during the entire run from Micky van de Ven and was spotted raising his hand after Tottenham scored their opener.

Howard blasted the 25-year-old United right-back for his “indefensible” actions and insisted that Dalot didn’t put in enough “effort” to prevent Johnson from scoring.

“Dalot’s almost stride-by-stride, slightly behind Brennan Johnson,” he said, as per GiveMeSport.

“All he needs to do is kick it into another gear. Instead, he stops and puts his hand up. He knows he doesn’t give an effort. It’s indefensible.

“You can’t protect players when they don’t give 100 per cent effort – particularly at home.”

Ten Hag on Tottenham opener vs Man Utd

Speaking after the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag slammed the United players for not preventing a “totally unnecessary” opener for Spurs inside five minutes.

“I think, after two or three minutes, to concede a goal like this did something to our belief,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.

“It was totally unnecessary. You can’t concede a goal like the first goal, the centre-half [Micky van de Ven] stepping in and passing the whole team over on the right side and crossing to the far post, and the right winger [Brennan Johnson] is tapping in.

“It was the same mistake we made in midweek against Twente. We should stop it at the first moment and should be in a better position.”

Manchester United fans are counting the cost of Bruno Fernandes’ red card against Tottenham.

Bruno Fernandes‘ tremendous fitness record means he rarely gets a rest, and now he has an enforced one. But it is not in circumstances Manchester United can be happy with.

Fernandes received the first red card of his United career against Tottenham, and while it probably did not influence the result of the match, the midfielder must now face a three-game suspension.

After the game Fernandes admitted he slipped and did not foul Maddison with malice, and believed the red card on the pitch should have been downgraded.

Fernandes VAR error

Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded a red card on the pitch, and in real time, it did look like a serious foul.

But with the benefit of multiple angle replays, it was clear Fernandes’ studs did not make contact with Maddison’s leg and there was no serious foul.

Yet, the decision taken by VAR official Peter Bankes was to uphold the decision, agreeing it was ‘serious foul play’.

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Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones spoke on Match Of The Day 2 and called out VAR.

He said: “I am sure it’s not a red card. I won’t play it down. Look, he’s gone in there and our first thought straight away was red card. The initial reaction was red card, but when you slow it down, he’s caught sort of the back of his heel.

“There’s no malice, there’s no real studs. There’s no studs showing. So I can understand, in real time why the referee has given the red card, but I can’t really understand why they’ve not overturned that. It’s just, it’s not a red card.”

Former referee Mark Halsey agreed, telling The Sun: “The question to ask is why VAR Peter Bankes did not get involved, as he sees what we see.

“If VAR had recommended a review I’m sure Kavanagh would have changed his mind.”

Meanwhile former referee Dermot Gallagher called out Kavanagh for getting the decision wrong in the first place.

Premier League make Peter Bankes decision

The Premier League have now released their appointments for the upcoming weekend’s fixtures.

No negative action is being taken on VAR official Peter Bankes, despite the widespread condemnation of his decision.

Bankes has been appointed as referee for Manchester City’s game at home to Fulham in thew Premier League.

Meanwhile referee Chris Kavanagh will take charge of Chelsea’s fixture with Nottingham Forest.

In the past after mistakes, the Premier League has downgraded officials by removing them from duty or even demoted down to the Championship.

This is not the case after Bruno Fernandes’ red card, with both on full duty this coming weekend.

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has not had an easy start at all at the club.

After Casemiro’s nightmare performance against Liverpool, Manchester United were desperate for new signing Manuel Ugarte to step in.

Erik ten Hag did point out that he was worried Ugarte might take weeks or months for Ugarte to be fully fit, and the Uruguayan certainly seems to be lacking sharpness.

Ugarte struggled against Tottenham, although as United fans pointed out, Ugarte may be being let down by the system, on his first ever Premier League start.

Give Ugarte the benefit of the doubt

Manuel Ugarte was an easy target to criticise. He’s a big money player, one who was built up as an instant quick-fix for the team’s problems.

It has become very apparent that United’s problems cannot be solved by one player. Erik ten Hag is responsible.

Speaking to US channel NBC Sports, former Premier League midfielder Robbie Earle made clear that he feels sorry for Ugarte, rather than wanting to criticise him.

He explained: “It’s hard to sometime see what they are trying to do. I felt a little sorry for Ugarte, he’s come to Manchester United as big midfield player, he’s going to play with Kobbie Mainoo, and then around him there’s all kind of chaos.

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“Nobody really looks like they know what they are doing, it must be so difficult for a new player, an international quality player, to come into that team and do your job in the way you think, or expect to do your job.”

Manuel Ugarte could thrive in Porto

Manuel Ugarte could retain his place for Manchester United’s Europa League fixture with FC Porto.

Ugarte has experience playing in Portugal for former club Sporting, and has enjoyed many battles at the Porto’s Dragao stadium.

It’s a game he will be well suited for, perhaps at a slightly less frenetic pace than the Premier League, which he is still adjusting to a little.

Whether he will retain his place for the Premier League against Aston Villa is less clear. A very tough tie awaits on Sunday, with Erik ten Hag under major pressure.

Erik ten Hag is running out of excuses for Manchester United’s poor performances.

The Red Devils put on their worst display of the season on Sunday afternoon and ended up being thumped 3-0 by Tottenham at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag had plenty of selection options for the Spurs match, and many supporters were excited to see Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes start together for the first time in the Premier League.

One of the main excuses behind United’s poor league performance last season was the injury crisis, but there has been very little improvement this season despite a near-fully fit squad.

Four of Ten Hag’s summer signings started against Spurs with Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt in defence, Ugarte in midfield and Joshua Zirkzee leading the line.

However, United continue to lack a clear style of play despite the huge investment in players.

Erik ten Hag should have signed Micky van de Ven

One issue last season was that Ten Hag wanted to play a high line defensively but injuries ravaged the defence and made it impossible.

However, with Lisandro Martinez back fit and De Ligt signed this summer, change was expected.

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Instead, United’s defence reverted back to the chaotic nature of last season. Meanwhile, they were completely outshone by Tottenham’s defence, especially Micky van de Ven.

Rio Ferdinand was stunned after Van de Ven ran through the ‘whole team’ to set up Brennan Johnson for the opener.

The Dutch defender was a stalwart for the visitors and was deservedly named Player of the Match for his performance.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Tim Sherwood suggested that Van de Ven would have been a better signing than De Ligt to play to Ten Hag’s style.

“He (Erik ten Hag) talked about not having the personnel last year to play higher up the field, so we are going to have to defend deep,” Sherwood said.

“And then he signed De Ligt. Micky van de Ven should have been his signing to get them up the pitch.”

Van de Ven joined Tottenham in a £43m deal in 2023, although his value would have skyrocketed sinc ethen after his impressive start in North London.

Personnel is not the problem

Manchester United fans are quickly learning this season that the personnel is not the issue. Regardless of who plays where and what signings are made, United continue to lack a clear identity under Ten Hag.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stance on sacking Ten Hag has not changed, but if the Dutchman is not able to piece together some convincing performances then he will soon be given his marching orders.

Ten Hag was initially brought in to try and implement the high-energy pressing style that was so loved at Ajax, but it has simply not happened at United.

The gap between midfield and defence has been a recurring problem that has not been solved. It doesn’t matter if United signed De Ligt, Van de Ven or anyone for that matter – it is down to Ten Hag to fix the system first.