Tottenham, under the stewardship of Ange Postecoglou, delivered a statement win in their last outing, thrashing Southampton 5-0 in the Premier League. It was a much-needed result following a five-match winless streak across all competitions (D3, L2). With an impressive attacking display, Tottenham will be eager to carry this momentum into the cup competition as they chase their first major silverware since 2008—a triumph that came in this very tournament.
Manchester United, meanwhile, come into this fixture buoyed by a dramatic comeback victory over local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League. Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo sealed a late 2-1 win, a result that not only lifted spirits but reinforced belief under new boss Ruben Amorim. United, six-time winners of the EFL Cup, will be hoping to build on this performance as they continue their resurgence after a turbulent start to the season.
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Spurs’ emphatic victory over Southampton ended a run of mixed results that saw them struggle defensively while failing to convert chances. However, their attacking threat has remained consistent—Tottenham have scored 2+ goals in five of their last six meetings with Manchester United.
For United, inconsistency has defined their campaign thus far, but their ability to grind out results in big moments remains noteworthy. Despite back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, United followed these defeats with two successive away wins, including their comeback against City and a Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen.
Head-to-Head
Historically, this fixture has provided plenty of drama, but recent meetings have tilted slightly in Tottenham's favour. Spurs are unbeaten in their last four encounters with Manchester United (D2, W2), including a convincing 3-0 victory at Old Trafford earlier this season. Prior to that, United had been dominant in cup competitions, notably beating Spurs on penalties in the 2009 EFL Cup final.
Interestingly, Manchester United have been formidable in recent EFL Cup away ties, winning their last six matches on the road by an aggregate score of 14-1. This run includes notable wins over both Chelsea and Manchester City.
Players to Watch
For Tottenham, James Maddison will be key. Fresh from scoring a brace against Southampton, the playmaker is central to Postecoglou’s attacking system. However, Maddison has a peculiar record against United, facing them 11 times without finding the net—a stat he will be eager to put to bed.
On the other hand, Manchester United’s Amad Diallo has emerged as a decisive figure, netting the late winner against City. With three goals and five assists in his last nine matches, Diallo is enjoying a rich vein of form and will look to make his mark again in this crucial clash.
Team News
Tottenham remain without Rodrigo Bentancur, who continues to serve a lengthy suspension. A host of injuries persist for Spurs, with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, and Ben Davies all sidelined due to hamstring issues. Guglielmo Vicario (ankle) and Mikey Moore (illness) are also expected to miss out, while Destiny Udogie is a doubt after picking up a thigh strain.
On a positive note, Yves Bissouma is available after serving a one-match suspension, and Djed Spence, who impressed in his first competitive start, may deputize again, potentially on the opposite flank if Udogie is unavailable.
For Manchester United, Mason Mount (leg) is unlikely to feature after limping off against City, while Noussair Mazraoui (knock) faces a late fitness test. Jonny Evans remains a doubt with an ongoing issue, and Luke Shaw continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. Ruben Amorim may look to rotate his squad, with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho pushing for recalls after being left out of the derby squad. Additionally, Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, and Casemiro are in contention to start, while Joshua Zirkzee could feature in attack.
Both sides will view this fixture as a significant opportunity to progress and inject fresh optimism into their respective campaigns. With Tottenham eager to end their silverware drought and United chasing cup success under new leadership, the stakes could not be higher for this North London clash.
