Early team news for Spurs showdown

Monday 17 October 2022 17:00

Manchester United should welcome Scott McTominay back into the matchday squad, when Tottenham provide the opposition at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

The Scotland international, who scored a late winner in his last outing, the Europa League tie with Omonia Nicosia, is free from suspension after serving a one-match ban during Sunday's goalless draw with Newcastle United. He was training with the main group on Monday and will be in contention to return to the fray.

Manager Erik ten Hag claimed he was hopeful Christian Eriksen would recover from illness in time to face his former club but we do not expect updates on the Dane or Anthony Martial, until the boss holds a press conference on Tuesday, which will be available to watch on our official channels from 16:00 BST.

Harry Maguire was said to be in line to resume training soon, while goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is eligible again after missing the weekend game against his parent club.

Marcus Rashford was feeling "under the weather", according to the boss, but managed to come off the bench in the closing stages and almost grabbed a late winner. Jadon Sancho took his place in the XI, while Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane started in defence.

Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams and Donny van de Beek have been unavailable but 17-year-old Kobbie Mainoo had a first senior involvement as an unused substitute against the Magpies, with Ten Hag not afraid to turn to youth.

 

TOTTENHAM'S TEAM NEWS

Spurs have been boosted by the results of an MRI scan on the calf injury Richarlison sustained against former club Everton on Saturday. The Brazil international has already been ruled out of Wednesday's encounter, which kicks off at 20:15 BST and is live on Amazon Prime Video in the UK. However, manager Antonio Conte has stressed the player will play again domestically before the World Cup finals and the issue is not as serious as first feared.

Dejan Kulusevski could yet feature at Old Trafford, with Conte explaining: "It will be a game-by-game decision. I don't know about the game against United. The medical department are working to recover him but, at the same time, there are situations that you have to go slowly and not accelerate the process. We hope to have him in the squad very soon."

Meanwhile, the Italian coach also told the club's official channels: "Now we have to push Lucas Moura to get good physical condition. Also, we have Bryan Gil, who is improving a lot in the last three months."

Defender Emerson Royal is still suspended, after his red card in the north London derby defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal. Japhet Tanganga is also currently sidelined.

Recommended: