Manchester United are looking to avoid a third defeat to Tottenham Hotspur this season when they visit north London on Sunday, but they may have to do things the hard way without some key midfield and defensive personnel.
The Red Devils have been grinding out some important results in the cup competitions over recent weeks but face an injury crisis heading to the capital as they look to improve their Premier League form.
Here are the players Ruben Amorim will be without this weekend.
The bulk of United‘s injuries have come in defence this season and they are missing a number of important rearguard members for Sunday’s trip south. Lisandro Martinez is the most significant absentee and the South American will be unavailable for the remainder of the campaign after recently tearing his ACL.
The eternally injured Luke Shaw is still on the sidelines as he recovers from a hamstring issue, while veteran Jonny Evans continues to miss out having not made the matchday squad since Boxing Day.
There are doubts over United’s back-up goalkeepers, too. Both Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton missed the FA Cup fourth round victory over Leicester City and could be unavailable for the journey to Spurs.
Amorim has been dealt several blows on the cusp of United’s clash with Spurs, with three midfielders likely to miss out on Sunday’s duel. Kobbie Mainoo is a guaranteed absentee due to injury and is staring at several weeks on the sidelines. The Englishman had been used in a more advanced role during recent weeks, either as a number ten or false nine.
Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer are both significant doubts, too, leaving Amorim incredibly short on quality midfield options. While neither is definitively ruled out of the match-up just yet, the pair appear unlikely to feature.
With long-term absentee Mason Mount also sidelined, either Casemiro or Christian Eriksen should partner Bruno Fernandes in central midfield at Spurs.
Amad Diallo is reported to have suffered a season-ending injury. While we await the full extent of his issue, it’s safe to say the Ivorian will not feature here.
Fortunately for United, they have no injuries to contend with in at striker. Unfortunately for the Red Devils, they have two strikers bang out of form in Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
The towering duo have been unconvincing throughout the campaign and their performances have been so uninspiring that 17-year-old academy striker Chido Obi has been training with United’s first team ahead of the journey to Tottenham.
Man Utd players missing for Tottenham clash
|
Player |
Status |
|---|---|
|
Altay Bayindir |
Doubt |
|
Tom Heaton |
Doubt |
|
Lisandro Martinez |
Out |
|
Luke Shaw |
Out |
|
Jonny Evans |
Out |
|
Kobbie Mainoo |
Out |
|
Manuel Ugarte |
Doubt |
|
Toby Collyer |
Doubt |
|
Mason Mount |
Out |
|
Amad Diallo |
Out |