Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has hit back at comparisons made between his side and Manchester United this season.
Michael Carrick will be keen to extend Manchester United’s impressive form when Tottenham Hotspur make the trip to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Since the former United midfielder took charge, his side have produced a series of standout performances, claiming notable victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, and Fulham. Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Bruno Fernandes have all rediscovered their best form during this run.
United are firmly in the race for Champions League qualification and currently sit fourth in the table, with Spurs’ visit presenting another valuable chance to secure three points and sustain their attacking rhythm.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are going through a difficult spell. Although they held City to a 2–2 draw last weekend, they find themselves down in 14th place in the Premier League standings.
The earlier meeting between the two sides this season also finished all square, as Matthijs de Ligt struck a late equaliser to earn United a 2–2 draw in North London.
Frank hits back at comparison between Spurs and United
United and Spurs were the two most underperforming sides in the Premier League last season. The Reds finished 15th in the table while the North London team were 17th.
Even though Spurs were victorious against United in the Europa League final, they have been unable to move forward in the league this season, and currently sit 14th in the table, just nine points off the relegation zone.
United, meanwhile, are back in contention at the right end of the table. Carrick’s side are fourth-place and five points away from Aston Villa in third.
But any comparisons between the two teams are unfair in the eyes of Thomas Frank, who believes that United’s lack of European football is helping them in the league.
“It is maybe a nice little context to say that Man United don’t play European football,” Frank pointed out during his pre-match press conference.
“I think we can all acknowledge there is a little bit [extra]. It is an extra challenge, [but] something we embrace and we are happy with.
“I think let’s judge us when we are on the same challenges. The ambition is that we want to do very well and carry on with the good performances and beat Man United.”
United looking to make statement vs Spurs
No one at United would disagree that the team have an advantage over their competitors due to playing just once a week. It is something that is clearly helping the team.
But you also cannot deny the quality of many of United’s players, particularly those in attack. They were not being platformed beforehand and Carrick seems to be getting the best out of them now.
Read more: Man Utd ‘keen to offload’ Manuel Ugarte after Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia this summer
Against a depleted Spurs team, United must be looking at this game as a potential statement and a chance to make it four wins in a row.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 14:00 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.