As Manchester United prepare to welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, it already feels like a pivotal day for the two men in the dugout.
For Roberto De Zerbi, a man once in the running for the United job, the Italian has seen his side slip to the bottom of the Premier League table, having failed to win a game so far this season.
For Michael Carrick, meanwhile, things haven’t exactly been much better amid the club’s joint-worst start to a Premier League campaign. The Englishman could really do with a win tonight.
What happened when Man Utd met Spurs last season?
It’s fair to say United’s recent record against the Lilywhites has been rather dire, winning just one of the last nine meetings in all competitions.
In 2024/25, for instance, the Red Devils lost all four games against the north London side, including in the Europa League final in Bilbao.
Thankfully, things did pick up last term somewhat, with United – then led by Ruben Amorim – first picking up a point on the road, as Matthijs de Ligt snatched a draw at the death after the visitors had been reduced to ten men due to Benjamin Sesko’s injury withdrawal.
At Old Trafford back in February, meanwhile, it was Spurs who were a man light, albeit in far different circumstances, as hapless skipper, Cristian Romero, saw red early on to compound the misery for under-fire boss, Thomas Frank.
A well-worked corner routine then saw Bryan Mbeumo put the hosts ahead, before Bruno Fernandes guided home Diogo Dalot’s cross to maintain Carrick’s winning start to life in the dugout.
What lies in store this time around?
Man Utd team news ahead of Spurs
United currently look toothless in attack and far too shaky at the back, with the midfield unit still being carved open far too regularly.
Not much to address then for Carrick…, with the Englishman not exactly aided by a string of injury concerns. Patrick Dorgu is facing a few weeks on the sidelines, while Noussair Mazraoui is also out with a knock.
Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, both of whom withdrew from England duty, are expected to be in contention having been back in training, while a first appearance could also be on the cards for £70m signing, Carlos Baleba.
The biggest intrigue is no doubt centred on the attacking unit, with it seemingly unlikely that either Amad or Sesko will start, the former at least back in training, while the latter is still some way off a return.
That might force Carrick to utilise a frontline consisting of Rashford, Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha again, although the trio have scored just three league goals between them this season.
Perhaps it’ll require a fresh solution in what is a key fixture for both United and for Carrick.
Why Carrick should unleash the new Amad
It feels like the Red Devils need to get back to what worked last season, with that man Mbeumo notably starring through the middle in big games, flanked by Cunha off the left.
|
Man Utd – Starting XI vs Spurs |
|
|---|---|
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2-0 (07/02/2026) |
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|
Position |
Player |
|
GK |
Lammens |
|
RB |
Dalot |
|
CB |
Maguire |
|
CB |
Martinez |
|
LB |
Shaw |
|
DM |
Casemiro |
|
DM |
Mainoo |
|
RM |
Amad |
|
AM |
Fernandes |
|
LM |
Cunha |
|
CF |
Mbeumo |
Having Amad fit again off the right would allow that shift to occur, although even if the Ivorian is set to be a mere impact man on the bench, United do have something of a carbon copy in the form of Shea Lacey.
Like Amad, the Englishman is another diminutive, direct winger who loves cutting onto his favoured left foot, the teenager undoubtedly doing his best work in the youth ranks off the right flank.
At a time when United’s forward line looks a little stiff and stale, Lacey, much like Amad, is the type of player who can get bums off seats, such is his willingness to take players on and drive the team forward.
That was evident on his first senior start for the club against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup, the 19-year-old putting in a fine display just months on from seeing red against the same opponent in the FA Cup.
It was Lacey who notably opened the scoring on the night, rifling his effort past Jason Steele even while appearing off balance, having kissed the badge in celebration amid the backdrop of the JJ Gabriel saga.
Gabriel’s days are numbered in Manchester, but Lacey looks set to be the next academy poster boy instead, the left-footer memorably beating his man at one stage against the Seagulls with an outrageous twist and turn on the half-way line.
Like Amad, he’s not a physical specimen, and he is a little one-footed too, but he’s a player that comes alive in the final third, someone so willing to take the ball in tight areas and make something happen.
It’s no wonder that he’s already earning rave reviews from his teammates, with a certain Bruno Fernandes dishing out hefty praise earlier this season.
“Shea came with a different mentality this season in terms of playing off the ball—it’s been great. It was one of the first things I said to him when I got back…
“His technical ability was never in doubt, he is an exceptional player. He has some very good abilities. I am always joking with him because I coached him during my badges when he was 14.”
He’s certainly an ‘exceptional’ talent, that’s for sure, and having been given the backing of his captain, now Lacey just needs the backing of his manager to earn a nod in such a key fixture.
With Amad still needing time to properly get up to speed, throwing Lacey into the mix would be like unleashing the next best thing.
