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Manchester United could be set to receive a welcome boost from an unfortunate source as Tottenham Hotspur are increasingly worried Dejan Kulusevski will miss next week’s Europa League final.
The Red Devils travel to Bilbao to face off against their Premier League rival in a match which will give each side a shot at salvaging success in an otherwise abysmal season for both.
United are currently languished in 16th in the Premier League table and on track for their worst season in the division’s history; Spurs, by comparison, are 17th. The two clubs have combined for 37 losses in the league this year.
But victory in Spain next Wednesday would reward the winner with automatic qualification into next season’s Champions League – an almost invaluable prize given the vast array of financial benefits entry into Europe’s elite competition brings.
Both clubs are facing anxious fitness tests over key players ahead of the crunch clash next week.
United are hoping to welcome Diogo Dalot and Matthijs de Ligt back before the trip to Bilbao. There also remains a faint possibility Joshua Zirkzee could perform an unlikely return after a hamstring had initially appeared to have ended his season.
The fate of Leny Yoro – forced off against West Ham on Sunday with an injury – remains unknown. The rest of Ruben Amorim’s squad appear in good condition, outside of Lisandro Martinez who suffered a devastating ACL injury in February.
From Ange Postecoglou’s perspective, the Spurs manager is sweating over the prospect of Kulusevski being fit by Wednesday after the Swedish international exited the pitch after 19 minutes against Crystal Palace on Sunday with a kneee injury.
On Monday, Postecoglou predicted the winger “should be okay” but sources close to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium reveal “the Swede’s chances of recovery in time for next Wednesday’s final have since reduced”, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Key players James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall will also miss the trip to Bilbao, presenting Postecoglou with a problem in his attacking midfield area as all three would be options for the number ten role in each other’s absence.
But sport is often a zero sum game. Where Postecoglou is struggling with an issue, the same issue constitutes a win for Amorim – and vice-versa.
The prospect of three key players for Spurs being unable to play next week is a major boost for United. But, on the flip side, if Dalot cannot prove his fitness by next week, or Yoro’s injury is revealed to be severe, this will give the Lilywhites their own personal lift.
Featured image Alex Pantling via Getty Images
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