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Son fitness test, Sarr in - The Tottenham team Postecoglou must select vs Man United

Pape Matar Sarr could come in to replace Son Heung-min in the Tottenham team to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Tottenham travel to Manchester United on Sunday in the Premier League looking to make it four wins on the bounce in all competitions.

Spurs and United have similar records in the league this season having both won two games, lost two games and drawn once. However, Tottenham have scored nine goals and conceded five, while United have netted five and let in the same number. Erik ten Hag's side drew their previous two matches against Twente in the Europa League and against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Spurs have captain Son Heung-min as an injury doubt after he came off with a sore hamstring in the 3-0 win against Qarabag on Thursday night with Postecoglou saying the South Korean star wanted to train on Saturday, during which time they were going to make a decision on the skipper.

We asked our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold and head of football.london Lee Wilmot to select their Spurs teams to face United.

Alasdair Gold - Tottenham Hotspur correspondent

It's all down to the captain and how Son's hamstring reacts to Saturday's final training session ahead of the game. It's a late fitness test of sorts for the South Korean as when it comes to a hamstring you can't really leave it until the final hours on the day of a game. To lose Son for one game is better than missing him for far longer.

Son's game is all about pace and bursting down the flank or through the middle. If his hamstring has a problem rather than is just tired, then he's not going to be able to do that without making it worse. I'm going to lean on the side of pessimism and select this side as if the captain is unavailable.

Timo Werner is struggling for form and it's a big ask to throw 17-year-old Mikey Moore in to start in a game like this in such a difficult venue, so Postecoglou would be more likely to put Dejan Kulusevski back into a right wing role and switch Brennan Johnson to the left flank.

That opens up a space in midfield and Pape Matar Sarr's energy and ability to get up and down the pitch and contribute at both ends could see him get in ahead of Yves Bissouma, who put in a mixed display against Qarabag. That also allows Postecoglou to bring on the Mali international later in the game if needed as fresh option.

Gold's team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Kulusevski Solanke, Johnson.

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou explains what Lucas Bergvall did in Tottenham training and why Son needs rest

READ MORE: Further consequences of Radu Dragusin's red card for Son Heung-min, Postecoglou and Tottenham

Lee Wilmot - Head of football.london

Does Son play or does he not play? that's the big question we have to ask ahead of the game with Manchester United. For me, if there's any semblance of fitness, he starts, he's that important.

Guglielmo Vicario is the number one and plays behind the regular back-line of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie. It's a settled defence that will have a tough afternoon.

In the midfield I'm playing Yves Bissouma with Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski. James Maddison has a place on the bench to unlock the United defence late on if required. Then, up top, it's the in-form Brennan Johnson alongside Son and Dominic Solanke.

Wilmot's team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski; Johnson Solanke, Son.

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