Premier League | Gameweek 25

Feb 16, 2025 at 4.30pm UK

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Spurs vs Man Utd

Match preview

Flash back to the aftermath of the North London derby against Arsenal in September, when a confident Ange Postecoglou declared that he would "always" win trophies in his second year in charge - a bold claim backed up by his managerial history.

In the space of four days earlier this month, however, the Australian's bid to fulfil that prophecy suffered two devastating blows, as an EFL Cup semi-final collapse at the hands of Liverpool was preceded by another early FA Cup exit, this time at the hands of Aston Villa in the fourth round.

A first piece of silverware since 2008 could still come in the form of the Europa League, however, and before their double dose of knockout heartache, Tottenham finally broke out of a Premier League slump away to London rivals Brentford.

Sinking the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium snapped a disastrous four-game losing streak and seven-game winless run in the top flight, and now the focus will be on ending an equally embarrassing run of form at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Indeed, Postecoglou's meek men have now gone over three months without a home win in the Premier League, drawing two and losing five of their last seven top-flight games in front of their own fans, although they have found the back of the net in all of them.

Only Everton have failed to score against Tottenham away from home in the 2024-25 Premier League season, but Postecoglou has yet to suffer the agony of defeat at the hands of Man United in the competition and could now become just the fourth manager - after Unai Emery, Ruud Gullit and Nuno Espirito Santo - to go unbeaten in his first four Premier League games against the Red Devils.

Like their hosts on Sunday, Man United found the net in added time of their FA Cup fourth-round tie, but while Mathys Tel's effort for Tottenham was an uncontroversial consolation, Harry Maguire's for the Red Devils was a highly controversial winner.

The former Leicester centre-back rose highest to nod home a free-kick to give Amorim's side a hard-fought 2-1 win, but had VAR been in operation for the fourth-round tie, his goal would undoubtedly have been disallowed when the linesman failed to spot a clear offside.

As Ruud van Nistelrooy railed about "offside time" as opposed to the age-old "Fergie time", the overjoyed Man United faithful were celebrating their side's sixth win from their last eight games in all competitions, a marked improvement for the former champions as they look ahead to Europa League glory in the spring.

However, a 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace on 2 February - their seventh Premier League defeat in their last 11 games - left the 20-time champions wanting, and Spurs have already had their number twice this season.

Prior to their thrilling 4-3 EFL Cup quarter-final triumph in December, Postecoglou's Tottenham were too hot for Erik ten Hag's Man United to handle in a 3-0 thrashing at Old Trafford, meaning they can now complete the Premier League double over the Red Devils for the first time.

Recent Performance

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:DLLLLW

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Manchester United Premier League form:LDWLWL

Manchester United form (all competitions):LWWWLW

Team News

In recent weeks, Postecoglou has had to manage without a full or near-full squad of injured players, but at least two and possibly as many as four could return for the visit of Man United.

The Spurs boss confirmed on Friday that Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie are on course to make their first appearances of the season, while James Maddison and Brennan Johnson could also return from calf problems. Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner are also in training, but their comebacks will have to wait.

However, Micky van de Ven (thigh), Cristian Romero (thigh), Dominic Solanke (knee) and Richarlison (calf) remain sidelined, while Radu Dragusin recently underwent successful surgery on his season-ending ACL problem.

Dragusin and Lisandro Martinez are now both recovering from similar operations, with the Man United defender reported to have undergone his earlier this week, and is one of six guaranteed absentees for the visitors in North London.

Luke Shaw (calf), Mason Mount (thigh), Jonny Evans (back), Tom Heaton (unspecified) and Altay Bayindir (unspecified) also remain sidelined, with Amorim also revealing in his pre-match press conference that he has "one or two other problems", without naming names.

In the cup win over Leicester, new signing Patrick Dorgu made a curious debut on the right flank before being substituted at the break for Alejandro Garnacho, who will surely be rewarded for his game-changing cameo with a start on Sunday.

Possible starting lineup

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Gray, Danso, Spence; Sarr, Bissouma, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Tel, Son

Manchester United possible starting lineup:

Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot; Diallo, Garnacho; Zirkzee