Roberto De Zerbi is considering as many as five changes to his starting eleven for Tottenham’s trip to Manchester United. Spurs are one of only three Premier League sides still without a win this season, so they’ll be desperate to take all three points from Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
Tottenham dropped to the foot of the table just before the international break, when United were held to a draw by Fulham. The Cottagers also have only two points from their opening games, but their goal difference is slightly better than Spurs’.
After the loss to Aston Villa in September, De Zerbi took the blame for the poor start while also pointing the finger at his players’ attitude. He said the team needed to show more fight and hunger, and that he could only do so much as a coach to influence their behaviour. He admitted Spurs hadn’t been fortunate but said they hadn’t earned any luck either, and warned that the pain would last until the next match.
The defence is the biggest concern. Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke are recovering from knocks picked up on Netherlands duty, while Pedro Porro is out with a hamstring issue suffered against Villa, which forced him to withdraw from the Spain squad. Van de Ven had his hand trodden on by Luka Jovic against Serbia, and Van Hecke injured his foot and made it worse in training. Xavi, the Netherlands’ new boss after Ronald Koeman’s exit following the World Cup, said Van de Ven’s problem wasn’t serious but that Van Hecke was in considerable pain. If none of the three pass late fitness tests, only Andy Robertson keeps his place, and Marco Senesi, Tosin Adarabioyo and Archie Gray would likely come in.
In midfield, Sandro Tonali has started all five league games but hasn’t yet looked worth the club-record fee paid to Newcastle. Rodrigo Bentancur, his partner in the double pivot for 356 of a possible 429 minutes, hasn’t impressed either. Dropping both for Lucas Bergvall, Mateus Fernandes or Conor Gallagher could send a message and create some competition for places.
Up front, Omar Marmoush has played either centrally or on the left since arriving from Manchester City, but he thrived in a supporting role behind the striker at Eintracht Frankfurt alongside Hugo Ekitike. Using him behind Dominic Solanke would also make room for Mohammed Kudus to return.
Ultimately, De Zerbi needs a response from his squad, and the fresh faces in midfield and attack could spark a deflated United side whose fans may quickly turn on them.
Predicted XI: Antonin Kinsky; Andy Robertson, Marco Senesi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Archie Gray; Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher; Mohammed Kudus, Omar Marmoush, Savio; Dominic Solanke.
