Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has sent a strong message to Manchester United and their head coach Ruben Amorim, insisting that his side will be much stronger when they face off in the Premier League on Sunday.
Spurs have struggled in recent weeks, losing five of their last eight matches while dealing with a mounting injury crisis. Their most recent setback saw them crash out of the FA Cup against Aston Villa, a result that has intensified scrutiny on Postecoglou.
Currently sitting 14th in the Premier League, Tottenham trail United—who appointed Amorim in November—by just two points. However, Postecoglou believes things are about to turn in his favor, thanks to some key advantages leading up to this crucial fixture.
For the first time in 2025, Spurs will have a full week without a midweek game, allowing players to rest and the coaching staff to implement their strategies more effectively. Additionally, key defensive players Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Destiny Udogie are expected to return to training, providing a much-needed boost.
Speaking about the team’s preparations, Postecoglou said: “I’m sticking to what we’ve been doing, but we finally have some time to recover. The guys returning from injury will get a full week of training rather than being thrown straight in, which is a massive plus for us. By the weekend, we’ll have something close to a full squad to work with.”
He also emphasized the benefits of consecutive full training weeks: “We have seven days to prepare for this game and another full week before our next one. That gives us a chance to properly reintegrate those who have been sidelined while giving rest to the players who have been pushing through.”
The return of Van de Ven, Romero, and Udogie is particularly significant, as the trio hasn’t played together since Tottenham’s 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on December 8. Injuries had kept them out for extended periods, with Van de Ven sidelined since October and Romero missing a month of action before that.
Given their lengthy absences, Postecoglou will need to manage their minutes carefully, especially against a United side eager to capitalize on Spurs’ recent struggles. However, with a reinforced squad and a full week of preparation, Tottenham could be in a much stronger position to turn their fortunes around.
