Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United this weekend, looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League after losing to Chelsea on home soil last weekend.
The clash against Ruben Amorim’s outfit will likely have an added sprinkle of excitement, given the latest meeting between the two top-flight clubs back in May.
The Lilywhites claimed a sensational 1-0 win over the Red Devils in the Europa League final in Bilbao, subsequently ending their 17-year wait for a piece of silverware.
Other meetings in 2024/25 saw Spurs claim a 4-3 triumph in North London in the Carabao Cup, with the previous encounters highlighting the excellent battles that have unfolded between the sides.
The club are also on a seven-game unbeaten run against the Red Devils across all competitions, with their last defeat in such a contest coming way back in October 2022.
If Thomas Frank is to inflict further pain on the Red Devils, he will likely need to keep one player quiet – with the manager knowing him extremely well, given his previous experience managing him.
How close Spurs came to signing Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo is a player who has been able to reach phenomenal levels under the guidance of Frank, with the pair thriving together during their time at Brentford.
The Cameroonian international spent six years under the Dane at the Bees, amassing just shy of 250 appearances in the process – with his best year undoubtedly coming in 2024/25.
The 26-year-old featured 38 times in the Premier League, scoring 20 goals in the process – ending the season as one of just five players to achieve such a feat.
After Frank’s appointment with the Lilywhites, rumours were swirling over a potential move to North London for Mbeumo – understandably so given his previous under the manager.
It was even reported at one stage that an offer was made for the winger’s services, but no deal ever came to fruition, with the forward subsequently joining United instead.
Amorim’s side forked out a staggering £71m for Mbeumo’s signature, with the Cameroonian already making an immediate impact during the early stages of his spell at Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old has already netted four Premier League goals this campaign – more than any current Spurs player – showcasing the threat he poses within the final third.
His other tallies, such as 1.4 shots on target and 2.1 chances created per 90, highlight the all-round threat he carries – no doubt providing the biggest threat to the Lilywhites this afternoon.
Frank will no doubt know the talent the attacker possesses, with the manager needing to silence him in North London to allow the club to get back to winning ways in England’s top-flight.
The Spurs star who can silence Mbeumo against United
Since Mbeumo’s move to United in the summer, he’s had to operate in a slightly unconventional number ten position alongside Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford.
It’s evidently not stopped him from starring, as seen by his recent form in the Premier League, with Frank desperately needing to silence him in North London this afternoon.
The central midfield department has been an area brought into question over the last few weeks, with the manager yet to work out his best partnership at the base of the side.
The likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall have all occupied such roles, but none have been able to cement a regale starting role with the Lilywhites.
However, if Spurs are to have the best chance of silencing Mbeumo today, Frank should look to recall Joao Palhinha to his starting eleven after being dropped to the bench against Copenhagen on Tuesday.
The Portuguese international joined on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window, but such a deal was frowned upon by the supporters at first.
In their hunt for a new number six, many wanted a younger and more progressive option to help add a new dimension to the first-team squad in the 2025/25 campaign.
However, it’s safe to say the 30-year-old has proved many of his doubters wrong, with the loanee now becoming one of the club’s most important players at present.
Palhinha has made the deep-lying midfield spot his own, especially given the eye-catching numbers he’s produced over the last couple of weeks in the Premier League.
The Portuguese international, who’s been dubbed “phenomenal” by one analyst, has already won 44 tackles in his just 10 league outings this campaign – an average of 5.1 per 90 – highlighting the talent he possesses without the ball.
Games played
10
Goals & assists
3
Pass accuracy
82%
Tackles made
44
Tackles per 90
5.1
Duels won
8.5
Aerials won
1.8
Duel success rate
63%
Interceptions made
1.9
Such numbers would make him the perfect man to silence Mbeumo, with no player making more tackles in England’s top-flight during the current season.
Other figures, such as 8.5 duels won per 90 and 1.8 aerials won per 90, further showcase his dominance out of possession, with such a skillset able to disrupt the Cameroonian’s chances of making a positive impact.
Whilst he’s been brought to North London for his defensive attributes, Palhinha has already impressed in the final third, notching a total of six combined goal contributions across all competitions – two of which came off the bench on Tuesday night.
Progressing the play may not be his strong point at present, but his ability to break up the opposition’s flow is certainly an area which could come in handy against Mbeumo this afternoon.
His ability to get on the scoresheet is just an added bonus, but his main responsibility today must be to prevent Mbeumo from haunting Spurs and former boss Frank in North London.
Should the experienced midfielder manage to do just that, it could be another memorable afternoon for the Lilywhites faithful against the Red Devils – subsequently putting an end to Amorim’s recent unbeaten run at Old Trafford.
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