Two struggling giant clashes have fire managers
As Tottenham prepares to face Manchester United this Sunday, both clubs find themselves in the miserable straits.
Considered as a Premier League heavyweight, both sides struggle in the lower half of the table, and have not created any real momentum in the campaign.
Their Cup performances were equally overwhelming, with their early exits and inferior performances annoyed their respective fanbases.
Neither Tottenham nor United have been able to put together a consistent victory, and there is increasing pressure on managers Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim to turn things around.
With both clubs at a crossroads, this fixture can be a defining moment in the season.
Postecoglou’s Tottenham: Injury Crisis and Lack of Depth
When Postcoglow arrived in Tottenham, he brought along with him a fresh, offensive philosophy, initially gaining fans.
However, as the season progressed, the Spurs’ shortcomings were mercilessly exposed. The biggest problem plaguing the North London Club is their massive list of injuries.
Sometimes Post-EcoGrow was not present in more than half of his favorite XI. Key players like James Madison, Mickey Van De Ben and Christian Romero missed a good portion of the season.
The crisis has made Tottenham struggle to maintain the strength they need to compete in multiple ways.
“It’s difficult to tell a manager if there are so many issues on the side.”
Sue Smith expresses sympathy for Angi Post Ecogul, who is working on the Tottenham Hotspur injury crisis π€pic.twitter.com/txvbevy0gk
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) February 10, 2025
Another major concern is that the transfer windows were unable to properly strengthen the team.
Despite linking with some reinforcements, the Spurs were unable to bring the depth they needed to compete effectively in the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League.
This relies on a core group of players who have suffered pure fatigue after playing twice a week since the end of 2024.
With limited squad rotations available, Tottenham appeared dull and invisible in recent matches, exacerbating the struggle.
Amorim’s Man Utd: System changes without success
Reuben Amorim took charge of Manchester United after Eric Ten Hagg’s firing, but his tenure has yet to produce positive results.
Unlike many new manager appointments that bring about the first bounce, Amorim’s arrival is filled with ongoing struggle.
One of the biggest issues was his decision to implement a new tactical system, shifting United to three backforms.
This approach worked well for him in the sport, but hasn’t been translated well in Old Trafford yet, making the players seem uncomfortable and confused in their new roles.
Beyond tactical changes, United’s teams are full of underperforming players.
Joshua Zirkusy, Casemiro, Andre Onana and others were unable to meet expectations and left Amorim without the quality needed to carry out his vision.
Diogo Dalot: “You can win the Premier League title with RΓΊben Amorim. I think we can win realistically.”
“But that’s the most difficult thing to hear as a fan. That means it takes time.” pic.twitter.com/izs4dnziph
-Fabrizio Romano (@fabrizioromano) February 10, 2025
Many of these players are either panic purchases or wreckage of the previous regime, highlighting the lack of a clear transfer strategy at the club.
United will likely continue to struggle for consistency until Amorim can change the team again with his image.
Tottenham and Manchester United ownership issues
The struggle between both Tottenham and Manchester United is expanding beyond the pitch. Each of their owned groups is under attack for not prioritizing football success over business interests.
In Tottenham, Daniel Levy remains a divisive figure. He oversees the club’s growth to a financial powerhouse, but his reluctance to spend large amounts of money on proven talent has been a source of great frustration for fans.
The Spurs have cutting-edge stadiums and training facilities, but their teams lack the depth they need to compete at the highest level.
Focusing on balancing the book, Levy led to careful spending in the transfer market, leaving managers like Postecoglou with limited options when injuries attack.
The issue of Manchester United comes from Ineos’ recent influence on the club. Since acquiring United’s stake, Ir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have been keen to cut costs and streamline operations.
But their focus on financial prudence doesn’t love them to their fanbase. Instead of making bold moves, United were reluctant to spend, and their decisions lacked the ambitions needed to bring the club back to its former glory.
The inability to connect with Ineos supporters further alienates the already frustrating fanbase and makes Amorim’s job even more difficult.
Time of change.
Time to stand up.
It’s time to participate in the protest.
Details below… pic.twitter.com/shb9jwz8hp
– ππ‘ππ§π ππ π¨π« (@ChangeForSpurs) February 7, 2025
Why were Postecoglou and Amorim not fired?
Despite their struggle, both managers are in charge. Post-Coglu has been given some room for the unprecedented injury crisis in Tottenham.
Even his critics have admitted that the manager cannot succeed with the number of important absentees the Spurs have endured this season. Given the promising start he has made, the club will give him time to turn things around once his team is fully healthy.
Meanwhile, Amorim was in his early days of his tenure. Looting him would be seen as a confirmation of failure by United’s board of directors, which would further undermine their credibility.
Amorim is still trying to implement his philosophy and imprint his authority on his team. The outcome was poor, but United could give him time to completely rebuild the team before making a dramatic decision.
How can the Spurs and United save their season?
Both Tottenham and Manchester United must focus on the cup competition as the Premier League campaign appears to be beyond repairs.
For the Spurs, the Europa League represents the best chance of silverware and red.
Winning the competition will not only end their long trophy drought, but also secure a spot in the Champions League next season and provide a much-needed boost after a disappointing league campaign.
United must also look at the Europa League as their main target. While it seems increasingly unlikely with Champions League qualifiers through the Premier League, securing a Europa League title is an important achievement.
Additionally, the FA Cup offers another potential route to save the season. Once you win domestic silverware, Amorim will provide reliability and may buy more time to implement his vision at the club.
A Manchester United fan group wrote an open letter to Ir Jim Ratcliffe, calling on the club to freeze ticket prices and “end season ticket owners.” pic.twitter.com/bsvvwkeybu
– Sky Sports News (@skysportsnews) January 27, 2025
Will either manager survive?
Both managers are under immeasurable pressure as Tottenham prepares for a confrontation with Manchester United.
A fierce defeat allows you to get closer to the bag. At this stake, Sunday’s match is more than a three-point fight. This is a key personality test for post-coglu and Amorim.
If any club continues to decline, the potential for administrative change will only grow. For now, both managers remain intact, but the patience of each board and fanbase is fading.
If things don’t improve anytime soon, Tottenham and Manchester United may be looking for yet another fresh start before the season begins.