On Saturday, Tottenham Hotspur has the opportunity to do something no other club in football has ever done: beat Manchester United five times consecutively. Spurs have had United’s number in recent seasons,
beating them in all four meetings last year — twice in the Premier League, once in the League Cup, and historically, in the Europa League final. In fact, Spurs are unbeaten against United in their last seven matches, going back to April of 2023.
But if Spurs want to make it five straight, they’ll likely need to do it without Mohammed Kudus. Spurs’ summer signing has been one of the lynchpins of their attack (such as it is) this season but he picked up a knock in training last week that kept him out of Tuesday’s big Champions League win over Copenhagen. Thomas Frank, speaking in his press conference ahead of the match, said his status is “touch and go.”
“Yes, everyone came through [the game] well. The ones that had been out for a small spell, Cuti [Romero] and Destiny [Udogie], responded well. Kudus is touch and go for tomorrow.”
Dominic Solanke continues to recuperate from injuries that have kept him out of the lineup since week 1, and leading to him undergoing minor surgery a few weeks ago. Frank continued to be optimistic of Dom’s recovery, but said he likely won’t be back until the upcoming international break November 8-16.
“I think the international break will be the big decider and we have two weeks to push [Solanke] for the next steps. It is going forward. It was clear he was not ready before the international break. After is what we’re aiming for and you always want to get it right.”
That likely means we’ll see more of Randal Kolo Muani, who has slowly been working his way back into fitness and form since returning from an injury of his own. Frank said that RKM is making steady progress and at this point just needs match minutes and to continue to play.
“[He needs] sharpness because fitness wise he is fit to start and play, but to do it at the highest possible intensity throughout the 90 mins, I don’t think he is there yet. But I think it was a very promising game against Copenhagen and I think he is on the right track.
“I think he has a little bit, Solanke is also good to run in behind, but that pace to go on outside. I like his combination play, link-up play and I just think he’s a good player.”
The ongoing injury crisis at Spurs might also mean minutes for Tottenham academy graduate Dane Scarlett. The Great Dane got his first minutes this season as a late sub vs. Copenhagen and earned Spurs a late penalty (that was claimed… and missed… by Richarlison). Frank was asked about Scarlett’s prospects, and the Dane said Dane is in a tough spot — he needs minutes but they will be hard to come by.
“I think he is a fantastic finisher. His finishing is at a very high level and probably he needs what every player needs and to play games. That is the biggest thing and right now the competition is tough here. It’s difficult to give him four or five games in a row. It’s not impossible but it’s difficult. He needs to play games.”
Tottenham have a tough stretch upcoming beginning with Saturday’s match against a resurgent United, and continuing with the away North London Derby on November 23, a trip to Paris to play PSG in the Champions League, a home reprieve vs. Fulham, and a return to St. James’ Park to play Newcastle.
