As supporters prepare to advance their message of discontent towards the Manchester United hierarchy, Ruben Amorim is finalising preparations ahead of a Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
His side languishes in 13th position following months of disruption and change within the football club, while the damage caused by idle ownership continues to wreak havoc on the 20-time English champions.
However, he faces a similarly troubled rival in Ange Postecoglou, with the under-pressure chief managing a solitary league victory from eight outings (one draw and six defeats).
Both clubs have endured an undeniably traumatic period, and the outcome of this latest fixture may very well come down to who makes the least mistakes.
However, a victory could lift United two places in the table, with stargazers contemplating the possibility of domestic momentum leading to positive runs in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Football is a funny game, and three points can raise the mood of a weary dressing room ahead of fixtures with Everton, Ipswich and Fulham.
Team News for the latest Spurs encounter
A hard-fought victory against Leicester jolted a disenchanted Old Trafford crowd last Friday, as Harry Maguire earned the plaudits against his old side.
But, he did so without a string of injured teammates, with Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton all unavailable for selection.
Frustratingly, it remains unclear if any have advanced in their rehabilitation. “It has been a good week,” Amorim told media ahead of Sunday’s 16:30 fixture.
“Until two days ago, [when] we had some problems. Also, as we don’t have players back.
“Maybe we will have one or two issues, but we are waiting. We have one player who is sick. So we will see the team on the weekend. But it was good to work with the team and to try to help the players in our performances.”
Those in attendance attempted to gain clarification on names, but the boss was unwilling to comply: “No, no, we will see at the weekend,” he stated.
Amorim did confirm that several youngsters have been integrating with his senior squad recently. Notably, goals have proven troublesome in recent months, and the form of youth-team striker Chido Obi has left many purring for a senior introduction.
“I don’t want to say names,” the former Sporting chief said. “We have to be careful on that. We have problems this week, we called some young players to be in our training. We have some data evaluation. He is one of them.”
United hope to avenge defeats in the Carabao Cup and home league reverse against the Londers earlier in the season. But Spurs are unbeaten in the previous four Premier League meetings between the sides (won two, drawn two).
However, Postecoglou is desperate for home improvement, having seen his team endure seven consecutive home outings without a win (lost five, drawn two).
Not since 1989-90 has Manchester United lost three times against Spurs in a season, with Chelsea the last side to accomplish the feat 12 years ago.
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford sealed the last North London bragging rights in a 3-0 win in 2021 under Ole Gunnar Solskaer.
Following a stop/start feel to life in the North West, Amorim will be keen to make a statement on Sunday.
How do you see his side getting on against a troubled Spurs outfit? Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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