Amorim explains United absences at Spurs

In his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, shortly after arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the 16:30 GMT kick-off, Amorim explained that a mix of illness and fresh injuries have prevented several Reds from being involved in the capital.

The boss began his update by providing further detail on in-form forward Amad - who confirmed on Saturday that he is facing a spell on the sidelines with an issue - before clarifying why defender Leny Yoro plus midfielders Toby Collyer, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte have not made today's squad.

“Amad was alone [when he picked up his injury], Ugarte was a kick, Toby [Collyer] and Kobbie [Mainoo] felt something during training. Leny [Yoro] also is sick,” he said.

“It is what it is but we have the kids [coming into the squad], they have the opportunity to be on the bench and they are ready to play.

“It’s a really hard season and we have to deal with that and we are doing that.”

Asked if he feared that Amad's injury might end the Ivorian's season, Amorim said: “I think so, yeah.”

Christian Eriksen also won't play against his former club due to illness, but the aforementioned absences do provide opportunities elsewhere - including for the eight young players that join experienced centre-back Victor Lindelof on the bench.

Goalkeeper Elyh Harrison, defensive trio Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson and Ayden Heaven, midfielders Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone and Jack Moorhouse, plus striker Chido Obi are all in line for senior debuts for the Reds, should they be called upon as substitutes. 

UNITED LINE-UP

Starting XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, De Ligt; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Garnacho, Zirkzee; Hojlund.

Substitutes: Harrison, Amass, Fredricson, Heaven, Lindelof, J. Fletcher, Kone, Moorhouse, Obi.