Ruben Amorim moans ‘my job is so hard’ as Manchester United lose again at Tottenham - reaction
Tottenham 1-0 Manchester United: James Maddison scored an early winner as Spurs won at home in the league for the first time since November
James Maddison’s early goal was the difference as Tottenham claimed a crucial Premier League victory over Manchester United, with Ange Postecoglou's side leapfrogging Ruben Amorim’s team in the table and leaving the visitors languishing in 15th.
The returning Maddison lifted Tottenham and the influential midfielder was on hand to fire in the rebound after United goalkeeper Andre Onana spilled Lucas Bergvall’s shot in the 11th minute. It was enough to secure Tottenham’s first home win in the league since the start of November .
But United had chances to level and Tottenham required another returning first-team player, in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, to be at his best to deny Alejandro Garnacho’s stinging shot in the second half.
Garnacho, though, should have done better after firing over the bar when left in space in the box during the first half, while Joshua Zirkzee also missed the target later on with a header from close range.
The result offers some relief for Postecoglou but is United’s 12th defeat of the season. Amorim’s squad was decimated by injuries, with the Portuguese forced to name eight teenagers on his bench without a first-team appearance between them.
“I have a lot of problems. My job is so hard but I’m here to continue my job to the next week with my beliefs. I will try to do it, I will try to win again,” Amorim told Sky Sports, with a trip to in-form Everton up next.
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Tottenham are set to be boosted by the return of several key figures for Sunday's visit of Manchester United.
Spurs were without 11 players for last weekend's FA Cup exit at Aston Villa, but boss Ange Postecoglou has worked with Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson in training this week.
Italy international Vicario has not featured since he fractured his ankle in the 4-0 win at Manchester City on November 23 and Postecoglou has used three different goalkeepers during the ensuing three-month period.
Tottenham set for huge injury boost as several stars return for Man Utd clash
Prediction
This could well be the Premier League’s most difficult match to predict, with neither manager knowing exactly what kind of performance they’ll get from their side. The two sides’ meeting in the Carabao Cup in December was a comedy of errors and lack of quality, and this could well be the same.
Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United.
Predicted line-ups
Spurs XI: Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Gray, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Son, Tel.
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Amad, Mainoo; Hojlund.
What is the Man Utd team news?
For United, Ruben Amorim revealed that there are “one or two issues” within the squad after the win over Leicester last weekend, though he didn’t give any names. Lisandro Martinez is the only long-term absentee, but Amorim indicated Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Altay Bayindir will remain out on Sunday, with their new setbacks seeing some academy players called up for training.
What is the Tottenham team news?
Postecoglou is still dealing with one of the worst injury crises in the league at present, with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Richardson all still sidelined.
Guigliemo Vicario, Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert all returned to training this week, and all five could make a return to the squad.
Is Tottenham vs Man Utd on TV?
When is Tottenham vs Manchester United?
The match kicks off at 4,30pm on Sunday, 16 February at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
How can I watch the match?
The match will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, with coverage starting at 4pm.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass to watch without a subscription.
Tottenham vs Man Utd LIVE
Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United in the Premier League today, with the league’s two most underwhelming sides set to face off in the capital.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs sat in 14th in the table going into the weekend – with just 27 points – having exited both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, with questions persisting around the Australian’s future at the club.
And things are not much better at United, with Ruben Amorim’s side sitting just two points and one place above Spurs.
The Portuguese’s start to life at Old Trafford has been underwhelming so far, and while they have taken a place in the last 16 of the Europa League alongside Spurs, it’s now a fact that success in that competition is the only potential positive that either club can take from an otherwise disappointing season.
Tottenham vs Man Utd LIVE
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Premier League match between Tottenham and Manchester United.
The match sees two of the league’s most underwhelming sides face off, as a struggling Spurs look to leapfrog United into 13th place in the table.
And we’ll have all the latest build-up and team new right here.
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