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Tottenham vs Man United: How the Teams Have Evolved Since the Europa League Final

Sushan Chakraborty Written by Sports EditorSushan Chakraborty
Updated –
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Tottenham vs Man United: How the Teams Have Evolved Since the Europa League Final

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United meet for the first time since Spurs beat the Red Devils 1-0 in the Europa League final in May. 

Much has changed over the past five and a half months. Thomas Frank has replaced Ange Postecoglou at Spurs, Man United have had a serious squad refresh, and both teams are genuine contenders for a top-five finish this season.

After 10 games played in the Premier League, Tottenham and Man United are level on 17 points. Spurs, in sixth, are ahead of eighth-placed Man Utd due to their superior goal difference (9 vs 1).

Ahead of their meeting on Saturday, SportsCasting examines how the two teams have changed, both in personnel and tactics, and where the game could be won and lost.

Tottenham vs Man United: How They Have Changed Since Europa League Final

Tottenham

Spurs’ transformation has been more evident to the naked eye. New coach Thomas Frank has installed a more nuanced tactical setup and brought in players who align with his project.

New Players and Staff

Spurs brought in eight players in the summer transfer window. Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Luka Vuskovic, and Kota Takai have joined permanently. Thomas Frank has also brought in Randal Kolo Muani and Joao Palhinha on loan.

Kudus, who joined from West Ham, has been the standout newcomer. He has contributed to five of Tottenham’s 17 Premier League goals, scoring once and providing four assists. Palhinha has also been immense in midfield. Not only has he served as the backbone of the team, but he has also chipped in with two goals and an assist.

There have been several changes in the backroom, with Frank bringing most of his staff from Brentford. Justin Cochrane (assistant coach) and Chris Haslam (performance coach/assistant), alongside analyst Joe Newton have joined, while he has also hired Andreas Georgson (ex-Man United).

Club legend and captain Son Heung-min was the most notable departure in the summer. The South Korean star now leads Los Angeles FC after spending a decade in north London.

How Spurs are Playing Under Thomas Frank

Former boss Ange Postecoglou got some praise for his high-intensity “Angeball” early on in his first season at Spurs, but it was not sustainable. In his second season at Tottenham, the players struggled to maintain the tempo and thus conceded in all but six Premier League matches. They finished the season in 17th place with only 38 points – their worst finish in the Premier League – and ultimately cost Postecoglou his job.

His successor Thomas Frank, meanwhile, had a lot of success at Brentford in 2024/25. They managed to score 56 points in the league to snatch the 10th spot. Frank’s team played excellent attacking football, scoring 66 goals in the top flight, the fifth-highest in the division.

Frank’s Tottenham has quite a few similarities with Postecoglou’s side.

They also like to overload the wide areas to force turnovers. Man-to-man pressing is often used to win possession in the opposition third. And the team continues to be comfortable on the ball, while adding more edge in counters.

Last season, Postecoglou’s team enjoyed an average 54.8% possession. This season, they are at 53.7%.

The biggest change is the tactical flexibility that Frank’s system brings. Instead of sticking to his favoured 4-3-3, the former Brentford boss adapts to the demands of the game. Against attack-minded teams, Frank often switches to 3-5-2 to reinforce the defence.

The Danish coach is also not afraid to switch to a low block to see matches out, something that Postecoglou did not resort to until the very end of his tenure.

Frank’s Tottenham have also been a lot more direct in attack, effectively using set-pieces and crosses. They have already scored five set-piece goals this season after 10 matches. Last season, they only scored 10 throughout the Premier League campaign.

Tottenham have also been effective on the break, with the majority of their attack coming down the flank. The purple boxes on the Opta chart shows Spurs’ dominance in wide areas.

Tottenham’s Zones of Control

Manchester United

Manchester United ended the 2024/25 season without silverware and finished 15th, but Ruben Amorim managed to keep his job.

Man United started this season with a defeat to Arsenal, and dropped points in three of their first four games (L2, D1). The poor start made Amorim one of the frontrunners in the Premier League sack race betting odds market.

Since October, however, the Red Devils have turned a corner. They have gone four games without defeat, winning thrice and drawing once.

Man United Summer Signings and Departures

Manchester United spent around £225 million on summer signings. They brought Thomas Frank’s Brentford superstar, Bryan Mbeumo, Wolves midfielder Matheus Cunha, formidable striker Benjamin Sesko, and Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

They also shipped off some big names, including academy graduates Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. Antony, Rasmus Hojlund, Victor Lindelof, Jadon Sancho, and Andre Onana also left the club.

Rashford, Hojlund, Onana, Sancho, and Lindelof left on loan, while permanent transfers were agreed for Garnacho and Antony. Christian Eriksen left on a free and Jonny Evans retired.

How Man United Are Playing Under Ruben Amorim This Season

Last season, Ruben Amorim got a lot of flak for sticking with his three-man backline in the 2024/25 season. From Gary Neville to Jamie Carragher, many pundits called out his supposed lack of flexibility, but Amorim held to his guns.

Amorim had a rough start to his second season at Manchester United, but the plan has finally started coming together. And Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have been the two most important pieces of the puzzle.

They have an abundance of experience between them, have performed convincingly in different tactical set-ups, and are full of aggression, which United were lacking last term.

Mbeumo and Cunha have operated primarily as the two No. 10s in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, with Benjamin Sesko leading the line. But unlike last season, Amorim is not married to the idea.

Against Liverpool, Amorim deployed Cunha in Sesko’s place, and adding Mason Mount to fill in for the Portugal international. With a ‘False 9’ at play, Virgil van Dijk and Co. did not have a clear target (which Sesko would have been) to mark, and were stretched and confused for the majority of the game.

Amorim has also expertly managed the wing-back situation, shuffling between Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot, and Amad Diallo depending on the type of opponent.

Diallo has been the right wing-back of choice in recent games, as he has developed a fruitful partnership with Mbeumo. Opta’s ‘Zones of Control’ map shows that the majority of their attack has come down the right.

Man United’s Zones of Control

Manchester United have also been more direct in attack this season, finding the quickest route to the players in front. Their directness has not been restricted to spraying long balls. They have also paid special attention to winning the second balls.

In the 2-1 win against Liverpool, Senne Lemmens played 45 long balls, the most by a player since the start of last season. While only eight of those landed directly on target, United did well to win most of the second balls. Mbeumo and Cunha’s aggressive pressing helped their cause.

Man United have made the most of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt’s ball-playing ability. Lisandro Martinez, who is their United’s competent ball-playing defender, could add another dimension to their attack when he returns from injury.

Tottenham vs Man United: Where the Game Could Be Won or Lost

Tottenham Hotspur Stats

Thomas Frank has brought more discipline to Tottenham Hotspur. He has used 4-3-3 as the base, pressing high and trying to win back possession in threatening areas. His team have also dropped deep when needed, showing a lot more flexibility than last season.

They have been rapid in counter attacks, created more goalscoring opportunities from set pieces, and have conceded fewer goals, averaging 0.8/game vs 1.71/game last season. However, stats suggest that they have been riding their luck.

Tottenham Hotspur have scored 17 goals from an xG of 10.1 and conceded eight in the Premier League despite allowing an xG of 14.6. They have averaged just 3.4 shots on target per game, scoring 1.7 goals. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has also been in the form of his life, averaging 3.4 saves per game.

They rank 15th for xG and shots on target, sixth for xG conceded, and third for saves. Spurs lost 1-0 to Chelsea at home in their last Premier League outing, creating an xG of just 0.10.

Tottenham’s Strengths

  • Tottenham have a versatile tactical setup, allowing them to keep up with the ever-changing conditions of the game.
  • They are formidable from set-pieces
  • intensity pressing and wide area overloads have proven effective
  • Comfortable on the ball and can also counter rapidly after soaking up the pressure
  • Excellent recent record against Man United – unbeaten in 7 games (W5, D2)

Tottenham’s Weakenesses

  • Over-reliance on wide players and inability to penetrate through the middle against stubborn defences
  • The lack of a reliable centre-forward
  • Creative department not at their best, leading to low quality chances
  • High pressing leaves space for opposition to exploit
  • Key player Mohammed Kudus is a doubt for the match
  • Poor home record this season — only 1 point from last 4 games

Man United Stats

Unlike Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United have gotten pretty much what they deserve this season. They have scored 17 goals from an xG of 17.8, have registered the joint-most shots on target per match (5.4 alongside Chelsea).

They have allowed an xG of 15.9 against them and have conceded 16 Premier League goals this season. The law of averages has caught up with them, and they will hope for it to hit Spurs this Saturday.

Manchester United are carrying four-game unbeaten streak to this game. The 2-2 draw against a struggling Nottingham Forest was  a setback for Ruben Amorim’s side, and they will see Saturday’s game as an opportunity to win their supporters back.

Man United’s Strengths

  • The form of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo
  • Senne Lammens’ ball-playing ability and United’s second-ball dominance
  • Adaptibility of Ruben Amorim’s system
  • Team has found its rhythm and is unbeaten in 4 matches (W 3, D 1)
  • Players like Mason Mount/Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire who can make an impact off the bench

Man United’s Weaknesses

  • Bryan Mbeumo-Amad Diallo combination makes the right wing vulnerable
  • Man United lose momentum after half time — they have not won a single second half in 2025/26
  • Have poor conversion rate — only 1.7 goals from 5.4 shots on target per 90
  • Man United have won just one Premier League game away from home this season

Verdict

If Tottenham can play their pressing game without losing possession cheaply, control the wide areas, and maintain their exceptional conversion rate (1.7 goals from 3.4 shots on target per 90), they could get their first win at home since the opening-day victory against Burnley.

Meanwhile, if Manchester United can exploit the space Tottenham full-backs leave behind, can continue to dominate aerial duels, and make the most of their chances, they could put an end to their poor string of results against Tottenham.

Tottenham vs Man United Prediction

Tottenham Hotspur and Man United look evenly matched this season, and Saturday’s match could go either way.

Spurs will look to win at home after the horrorshow against Chelsea, while United would be eager to maintain their unbeaten run in the Premier League.

We expect a close contest in Gameweek 11, and are only keeping Man United slightly ahead because of Tottenham’s imminent date with the law of averages.

Our Prediction: Tottenham 1–2 Man United

Sushan Chakraborty Written by Sports EditorSushan Chakraborty
Sushan Chakraborty has been writing professionally since debuting with 90min in 2017. He has since typed out thousands of articles, learning the trade from some of the smartest minds in the business. Now at Sportscasting, he is striving to whip up his best articles yet.
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