please log in to view this image Sunday 14th January 4.30pm Premier League Old Trafford Davies, Lo Celso and Scarlett join the extensive injury list, but van de Ven is available. Romero has returned to full training, but it's believed that this fixture has come too soon for him. Perisic, Maddison, Solomon and Veliz are still out. Son, Bissouma and Sarr are also on international duty. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Vicario; Porro, Emerson, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Lo Celso; Johnson, Richarlison, Son. Subs: Forster, Dier, Dorrington, Phillips, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Donley, Gil, Veliz. League form: LWWWLW. Man Utd: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot; Mainoo, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Garanacho; Rashford. Subs: Bayindir, Kambwala, Reguilon, Gore, van de Beek, McTominay, Mejbri, Diallo, Pellistri. League form: WLDLWL. Ref: John Brooks. VAR: Chris Kavanagh. TV: Sky Sports. How would you like to line up for this one and how do you think we actually will line up?
Hopefully Dragusin’s permit is sorted as it sounds like Romero won’t be ready for this one. So for me Vic Porro Dragusin VdV Destiny Skipp Bentancur Kulu Johnson Richy Werner I think the only real question is over the midfield, whether he goes Bentancur as a 6 (in which case it’s definitely Skipp in Sarr’s role) or Bentancur as an 8, in which case it’s a toss up between Skipp and PEH for the 6 role.
God knows what the CB situation will be. Some real spine in CM is more important to me, as too often this fixture becomes a "Lads, it's Tottenham" game for Man Utd when they are there for the taking.
Not that it essentially makes a difference but isn’t he back now? Came on the other night, not that many might have noticed as it was another forgettable performance
Looking back at the clip, it appears Vicario should have given Emerson that bollocking instead When setting up for the set piece it looks like Emerson says he'll watch the Burnley keeper as he points right at him when setting up to defend the corner, but when the corner comes in Sessegnon tracks the Bruun Larsen who is coming round the outside of the Burnley keeper while Emerson doesn't appear to be tracking anybody at all as the Burnley keeper gets a free header If Sess was distracted by Bruun Larsen making the false run past the keeper which allowed the keeper a free header, Vicario was certainly right to let him have it - though looking at the clip what stands out is that you can at least presume what Sess was told to do, yet it's not entirely clear what Emerson's instructions are given he doesn't track any runners (though he does appear to be pushing up so da Silva on the back post would be offside), Scarlett is rooted to the spot in the six yard box and that's what allows Amdouni to get to the ball after the Burnley keeper flicked it on, while Bryan Gil is also somewhat perplexing as he's stood on the edge of the area facing the corner marking nobody when the kick is about to be taken and jogs out of the area when the cross comes in, let alone when the Burnley keeper heads it
He looked absolutely miles off the pace, which is probably understandable. He was out for bloody ages. Did have a decent effort saved, but everything else was pretty poor. Might be an idea to give him some time in the U21s.
I think the problem though is that’s a general Sessegnon performance. In four and a half years it’s genuinely tough to think of any standout performances, he’s had one two moments in a game but I can’t think of a match where I’ve thought he was MOTM or a contender for it. Even Ndombele and Lo Celso have managed that… and that’s a low, low bar.
Sparked our comeback at Bournemouth last year, but I'd largely agree. He's not been favoured by any of our managers and his fitness is a good reason why. I don't even know where Postecoglou would play him if he was regularly available. Left-back? Left wing? Hard to tell from what we've seen of him.
I’m struggling to see where he’d get any substantial minutes. He’ll be behind Udogie and Davies in the LB pecking order and behind Son, Solomon and Werner at LW. He might get some minutes over the next month seeing as Davies is injured, Son’s away and Solomon’s not yet ready but after that I think it’s very bleak for him. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a deadline day departure this window, loan or permanent. Doubt he’ll be here beyond the summer though window though, will only have a year on his deal by then too and I’d be shocked if he gets a new one.
My heuristic (based on recent years of watching Spurs) is that a player returning from long-term injury resumes PL timing after two starting XI run-outs.
I've seen the suggestion that Ange would prefer him as a winger, which makes sense as Sess prefers to hug the line I do remember him playing similar to an inverted WB under Conte at times, it has to be said - though that immediately suggests that Conte was telling Sonny to hug the wing...
Berbatov has predicted a 1-0 win for Utd. Not quite sure he’s been watching either team’s defence recently
I would be more than happy with a point today, regardless of the current status of United. More important for me will be for a decent debut for The Dragon and a goal for Werner. The latter being the top issue, as this guy clearly needs an early PL confidence boost to make up for his barren time with the Chavs.
No way, UTD are there for the taking... I think this is the attitude that Ange is trying to change... why settle for a point, our style of football now demands that we try everything to win each match!
Not suggesting the team should go out there happy with a point - just that a point would make ME happy. There's a difference!
I can't see Dragusin starting tbh. The boy hasn't unpacked his suitcase yet! Vic Porro Royal VDV Udogie Bentancur Skipp Johnson Kulu Werner Pigeon
Think that's likely to be spot on. Just praying that they aren't bring vdV back in a week or two too soon!
