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.

Former goalkeeper Ben Foster has weighed in on Jadon Sancho’s recent “freedom” comment to Marcus Rashford, arguing that it exposes the deep-rooted negativity within Manchester United.

Sancho came under scrutiny after commenting “freedom” on Rashford’s social media post celebrating his Aston Villa debut. Foster believes this reaction highlights just how unhappy the environment at Old Trafford has become.

Speaking on his podcast, the ex-United shot-stopper criticized Sancho’s actions: “What is he doing? That’s ridiculous. He’s still a Manchester United player, and so is Marcus Rashford. This just screams toxicity—it feels like everyone is desperate to leave.”

Sancho, who had been sidelined under former manager Erik ten Hag, found temporary refuge at Borussia Dortmund before sealing a loan-to-buy move to Chelsea in 2024. Meanwhile, Rashford has faced similar struggles under current United boss Ruben Amorim. With the club’s on-field struggles continuing, these incidents only add to the negative perception surrounding United.

As fate would have it, Sancho could make his Chelsea debut against Brighton on Friday, while Rashford may get more minutes when Aston Villa take on Ipswich Town the following day.

Aston Villa secured a 2-1 triumph over Tottenham in the FA Cup on Sunday, boosted by the arrival of new signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, both of whom made their debut appearances off the bench.

Morgan Rogers, who played a key role in the win, emphasized the significance of having Rashford in the squad. Rogers scored Villa’s second goal of the fourth-round fixture after Jacob Ramsey’s early opener, while Mathys Tel netted late on for Spurs to set up a tense finale.

Villa’s latest acquisitions, Rashford and Asensio, entered the pitch in the 66th minute, adding further excitement to the match. Rashford’s highly anticipated loan move from Manchester United followed a period of being sidelined at Old Trafford, with the forward opting for Villa over interest from Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking about Rashford and Asensio, Rogers expressed his enthusiasm, saying: “It’s a huge boost for the team. Having experienced players like them in the squad helps push us forward. Their presence alone makes a difference, and hopefully, we can all help each other improve. That second goal was vital—we played well but needed to finish the game off.”

Villa now look forward to the next round of the FA Cup with real optimism, especially after big clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool were eliminated, marking their first fifth-round appearance in ten years.

While Rashford had limited involvement after coming on, it was his first game since mid-December following a fallout with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, who previously accused him of “not giving his all.”

Unai Emery has challenged Rashford to rediscover his best form, stating that the forward faces a “huge test” to regain top shape but sees it as an “exciting opportunity.” With Villa’s momentum growing, Rashford’s contribution in the coming matches will be closely watched.