Erik ten Hag can take the last step with Manchester United on Thursday towards a coveted Champions League ticket. The Red Devils are going to visit Tottenham Hotspur, a direct competitor that could get the final blow. According to Ten Hag, it is important to eliminate Harry Kane for this. “We have a plan for that,” said the manager at his club’s press conference.
Manchester United went through a difficult period, but put things in order at a national level in April. The Ten Hag team reached the FA Cup final via a penalty series by beating Brighton & Hove Albion (0-0, 6-7 ns) in the semi-final and is also in a good position in the competition when it comes to a place in the top four in the Premier League. With two games less played, number four Man United already has six points more than Tottenham, which is sixth.
The Spurs are going through another sporting crisis, with Sunday’s historic defeat to Newcastle United (6-1) as the nadir. “It is clear that they have suffered a very heavy defeat,” says Ten Hag. “They are provoked. That can be fuel to come back. But it’s about us. An opponent should never be hungrier than us, so that’s how we should prepare. Chest forward, be dominant and dictate the game.”
According to various English media, Manchester United is working in the background to bring in Tottenham icon Kane. The top striker’s contract expires in 2024, making next summer the last good time to sell him. Ten Hag knows that his team will have to withstand Kane at least once. “It’s pretty clear he has a lot of impact on the game of the Spurs.”
“Of course we have a plan for that: you have to defend him as a team. He is a smart player, so you shouldn’t allow him to touch the ball in certain places.” Manchester United must miss the central duo of Raphaël Varane and Lisandro Martínez. Moreover, Bruno Fernandes is a doubtful case. “We don’t know yet if he can play, he is a question mark. But for the rest I think we are reasonably fine. Thursday is coming soon, we have to see what is possible.”
| No. | Team | m | W | G | v | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 32 | 23 | 6 | 3 | 43 | 75 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 30 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 50 | 70 |
| 3 | Newcastle United | 31 | 16 | 11 | 4 | 29 | 59 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 59 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 33 | 16 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 54 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur | 32 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 53 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 31 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 21 | 50 |
| 8 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 29 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 17 | 49 |
| 9 | Fulham | 32 | 13 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 45 |
| 10 | Brentford | 32 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 44 |
| 11 | Chelsea | 31 | 10 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 39 |
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 33 | 9 | 10 | 14 | -11 | 37 |
| 13 | Wolverhampton W. | 33 | 10 | 7 | 16 | -15 | 37 |
| 14 | West Ham United | 31 | 9 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 34 |
| 15 | AFC Bournemouth | 32 | 9 | 6 | 17 | -32 | 33 |
| 16 | Leeds United | 33 | 7 | 9 | 17 | -21 | 30 |
| 17 | Leicester City | 33 | 8 | 5 | 20 | -13 | 29 |
| 18 | Everton | 32 | 6 | 10 | 16 | -22 | 28 |
| 19 | Nottingham Forest | 32 | 6 | 9 | 17 | -33 | 27 |
| 20 | Southampton | 32 | 6 | 6 | 20 | -29 | 24 |