'I hope they stick with Frank'published at 08:33 GMT 9 February
08:33 GMT 9 February
Former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney discussing Tottenham's position on his BBC podcast: "You'd have to say they are in a relegation battle with their current form.
"You can't think that they're not in a relegation battle where they are. I think they'll definitely be looking over their shoulders."
On Cristian Romero's red card at Manchester United: "I can see why it's been given but it's a little bit harsh.
"Sometimes you lose your head at times. And I think he's done that throughout his time at Tottenham.
"What doesn't help is comments in the week before about the lack of players Tottenham have.
"He clearly speaks his mind as well. But unfortunately, you've got to go and back that up with performances when you're vocal like that - and I don't think he's done that. All that's going to do is bring more pressure on Thomas Frank.
"I feel for Frank because he looks tired - he looks like he's aged 10 years. That's what that Tottenham job has done to him in a short period of time.
"I hope they stick with him because he's fantastic manager, but it's going be very difficult for them to do that.
"And you don't need your captain going out getting sent off on a regular basis or being as vocal as he was this week."
Eshan: Great team spirit and positive football from United. Silly from Cristian Romero, which helped Michael Carrick's side. It's great to see the DNA again, and to have luck on our side - the DNA is earning those 'lucky' moments. Bruno Fernandes' goal was awesome - no luck involved, just great shin control.
Puma: What a turnaround this is with Carrick at the helm. Frustrating times with Ruben Amorim's system for far too long, now it seems the potential is unleashed! Hoping for a consistent run of form before some big summer decisions. Also, so pleased for Kobbie Mainoo - it must have been a difficult 14 months for him, but now he's exceptional in that midfield.
Armstrong: Results suggest Carrick is the right move. Wish they had hammered Spurs, but Michael has changed the season around from mid-table meddling to hopes of top four. Who knows what the future has in store, but Michael was added to Jose Mourinho's staff for a reason. Smart, knows the club and is a legend - they could do a lot worse... and have!
KDG: I reckon Bruno has consistently been the best player in the Premier League this season. Involved in everything. The fact United have scored more goals this season than the whole of last season speaks volumes.
Spurs fans
Anff: Romero, what more can we say? Been saying since he arrived he's a liability. From airing his dirty washing in public to this. Get rid while he's still worth a bob or two. That killed the game - we were well in it until then. Remove the captaincy and give it to Conor Gallagher. He's either wandering around disinterested or making rash challenges - and he's not going to change. As good as he can be, he's a sending off waiting to happen.
Al: The powers that be at Tottenham have been waiting for the next Spurs loss to fire Frank. So many injuries I know, but with the likes of Carrick doing very well, clubs will take less time to change coaches.
Nigel: Spurs were playing well before the red card, and it was a good watch. I don't understand what others are seeing on the red card - for me, Romero is in possession, goes to kick the ball (to which he does get a touch) and Casemiro rushes in, misses the ball but connects with Romero's foot. Clumsy from Romero, but certainly no intent and a yellow at worst. Given the weakness of the squad they did well to keep it to 1-0 until nearly the end. Romero is absolutely right to criticise the club by the way - an appalling lack of investment in quality players. Maybe it wasn't Daniel Levy who was the problem.
John: Romero wasn't wrong in his criticism of the club and I wish more of the playing and coaching staff spoke out. However, he's never going to be part of a solution while his poor discipline makes him such a liability. I kind of hope we get relegated as I think that's the only thing to inspire cultural change that's needed at the club.
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 11:15 GMT 8 February
11:15 GMT 8 February
Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures and Friday's action.
'Irresponsible Romero let his teammates down'published at 19:32 GMT 7 February
19:32 GMT 7 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Media caption,
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank called it the "perfect storm".
Other assessments are available of Cristian Romero's lunge at Manchester United midfielder Casemiro half an hour into their Premier League game at Old Trafford.
At the end of a week during which Romero has been at the centre of attention after he publicly condemned the Spurs hierarchy for their failure to invest in the squad, the Argentina defender once again left Frank to defend him
According to the Premier League Match Centre, Romero's challenge met the threshold for serious foul play because it was "made with excessive force and endangered an opponent".
Former Premier League official Darren Cann agreed with the decision.
"Romero makes a forceful challenge on Casemiro which is, in law, undoubtedly a serious foul play tackle," Cann told BBC Sport.
"It was a really excellent decision from referee Michael Oliver, who was brilliantly positioned."
Not even Frank could argue Oliver was wrong to send Romero off.
"The red card is a red card," he said. "But I have watched it back five times, he clearly tried to go for the ball."
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also defended his team-mate on TNT Sports.
"He's our captain and today he made a mistake," he said. "But we know the player he is.
"He's going to come back stronger, for sure, and he'll help us throughout the rest of the season."
But Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy was clear Romero "let his team-mates down", adding: "It is irresponsible, especially after a week where he's been talking about recruitment and a lack of players.
"He's the captain, the leader - he needs to do better."
Frank has made it clear Romero will still be captain when he returns for that Liverpool game, which will split two Champions League last-16 ties, when Juventus and Atletico Madrid are two of the four opponents they could meet.
In the meantime, he must hope for more level heads because Romero's dismissal led to another defeat. And, with local rivals West Ham starting to pick up points, the spectre of relegation is far too close for comfort.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham: What Frank saidpublished at 15:54 GMT 7 February
15:54 GMT 7 February
Media caption,
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank, speaking to TNT Sport: "I think the first 30 minutes were a good away performance at a difficult place against a team with confidence in them and flow. Then after the red card, I am very proud of the players.
"The resilience, staying in the game mentality, still being a threat at times trying to create something. Very proud of them. Then, of course we just made the three offensive subs and then we concede the second. I think the last 60/70 minutes, we were playing with 10 men. They put everything into it. Very proud of the fans. You could hear them loud throughout the game.
On Cristian Romero's red cardb: "Cristian first and foremost, there is no intention to do the follow through and get a red. He clearly goes for the ball. Unfortunately, the way the rules are, it becomes a red. Cristian apologised to his team-mates in the dressing room.
"It is, but it is what it is. We need to deal with it. I think a big area we've been working hard on is the resilience. We didn't get the result out of it today, but what they showed out there on the pitch today, the players, was incredible. We need to focus on Newcastle on Tuesday night.
"Just focus on the next game. That is Newcastle on Tuesday night."
Did you know?
Tottenham are now winless across their last seven Premier League games (D4 L3), their third such run since the start of the 2024-25 season. Previously, they hadn't gone as many matches without a win since May-October 2008 (a run of nine).
Cristian Romero became the first player to be sent off twice in the Premier League this season. His red card today was his fourth in the Premier League since he joined Spurs in 2021 - the most of any player during this period and the joint-most of anyone for Spurs in the competition overall (also Younes Kaboul).
Man Utd v Tottenham: Team newspublished at 11:28 GMT 7 February
11:28 GMT 7 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Michael Carrick goes with an unchanged line-up as Manchester United look for a fourth win in a row since he was installed as Ruben Amorim's successor until the end of the season.
The only change to Carrick's entire matchday squad is on the bench, where Scotland Under-19 midfielder Tyler Fletcher gets the nod ahead of young forward Shea Lacey.
Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Sunderland", for instance.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:02 GMT 6 February
19:02 GMT 6 February
Chris Adams BBC Sport journalist
Michael Carrick will be looking to maintain his 100% record in his second spell in charge of Manchester United in the Saturday 12:30 GMT kick-off at the expense of his former club Tottenham Hotspur, who are winless in their last six league games.
In Roy Keane's retelling of a Sir Alex Ferguson team talk ahead of a game against Spurs, the Scot reportedly told his players: "Lads, it's Tottenham," and left it at that, such was his confidence. Recently though, things have been less straightforward for the Old Trafford outfit, who will mark the 68th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster before kick-off.
The Red Devils are winless in their past six league games against Spurs (drawn three, lost three), their joint-longest run without a league win against the north London side – and one that extends to eight games in all competitions.
Classy Casemiro back to his best
With no arrivals in the winter transfer window, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro seem almost certain to continue as United's first-choice pairing at the base of midfield, as they have done in Carrick's three consecutive wins.
The Brazilian, who last month confirmed he will leave at the end of the season, has been in fine form recently, opening the scoring with a header in last week's dramatic 3-2 success against Fulham – since his debut in August 2022, no midfielder has scored more headers in the Premier League than Casemiro's seven.
The home side conceded twice when he was replaced by Manuel Ugarte in the second half of that game; astonishingly, they've let in more league goals this season with Ugarte on the pitch than with Casemiro, despite the Uruguayan playing less than half the number of minutes.
A Frank assessment
Tottenham's second-half rally to earn a 2-2 draw against Manchester City last week provided a welcome fillip for head coach Thomas Frank, whose side haven't won in the league this calendar year.
"I think we can create something magic together - the players and the fans - when we are united like we were," Frank purred after that comeback. Spurs' Champions League form has arguably kept him in a job, although the Dane would quite rightly point to the club's ongoing injury crisis as a mitigating factor.
Dominic at the double
One man who is back off the treatment table is Dominic Solanke, who netted both goals to earn a point against City – even if his dubious first effort provoked the ire of Pep Guardiola, who insisted it was a foul.
Solanke has four goals in six games in all competitions since returning from an ankle injury that caused him to miss four months of the season, averaging a goal every 88 minutes. That's the best rate of any Spurs player this season, and notably he has notched five in his last five appearances against Manchester United.
The statistics suggest that the first half of this encounter will be telling for Tottenham, who sit 14th in the table with just one league win in nine. They are winless in all 10 of their league games when behind at the break this term – drawing three and losing seven – and unbeaten in all six when leading at half-time (won five, drawn one).
Worryingly for Frank, only the bottom two sides have conceded more first-half goals than Tottenham's 18 in the league this season.
Sutton's predictions: Man Utd v Tottenhampublished at 18:05 GMT 6 February
18:05 GMT 6 February
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, BBC Sport readers and a variety of guests.
His guest for week 25 is Gladiators star Apollo, real name Alex Gray, who supports Newcastle.
Sutton says: Manchester United were slightly fortunate to beat Fulham last time out. A draw would have been about right.
Still, it was big for Benjamin Sesko to get their winner and I have got to say he put it away very nicely, especially because he should have scored with a header earlier in the game.
Tottenham, meanwhile, produced a great comeback against Manchester City. I've talked about how much I rate Dominic Solanke and when he is up for Spurs, they are in a much better place as a team.
There is a danger of getting carried away with United under Michael Carrick, and I am expecting Solanke to score again here, but it still feels like United will find a way to win it.
Gossip: Veliz set for Brazil move published at 08:01 GMT 6 February
08:01 GMT 6 February
Tottenham's 22-year-old Argentine striker Alejo Veliz, who is on loan at Rosario Central, is set to join Brazilian club Bahia in the summer in a deal worth 9m euros (£7.8m) plus add-ons. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Frank on Romero's comments, missed transfers and finding consistencypublished at 16:56 GMT 5 February
16:56 GMT 5 February
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford (kick-off 12:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Cristian Romero's comments about the "disgraceful" number of players Spurs had available to face Man City have been "dealt with internally" and Frank said: "If you want to know what he meant you need to ask him."
He added: "He is a very passionate character and player that wants to leave everything on the pitch. He is very ambitious and wants to win every single time. Sometimes when you are like that can come an outburst."
On the social media post, Frank said: "I wouldn't have done it. That is my message."
With successive draws, Frank said "the performances are more competitive and consistent. Are they perfect? No, but we are getting closer and closer".
Micky van de Ven has returned to training and is available for selection, while Djed Spence is "touch and go" but getting closer.
After signing Conor Gallagher and Souza in the January transfer window, Frank said "where we are now is OK. We tried to do more but it was not possible for whatever reason".
Frank praised Joao Palhinha for his "important" performances and said has been "driving the team".
Michael Carrick has "injected energy" at Manchester United and Frank expected a "threat" and a "challenge", but insisted "we are looking forward to it.
Gossip: Atletico Madrid still in contention to sign Romeropublished at 07:12 GMT 5 February
07:12 GMT 5 February
Atletico Madrid are ready to move for Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, 27, following the Argentine's latest social media post appearing to criticise the club. (Sun), external
'We thought the powers that be would have achieved more'published at 12:32 GMT 4 February
12:32 GMT 4 February
Ali Speechly Fan writer
Spurs only managed to secure two first-team additions in this winter transfer window and one of those is a teenager.
Unbelievable, but true, and some might even say disgraceful - especially given our significant injury crisis.
Most fans appreciate that the board could not fix everything in one window, but seeing as we are in desperate need of a striker and an attacking midfielder, we thought the powers that be would have achieved more.
In fairness, I have been impressed by Conor Gallagher and I think he will prove to be a shrewd acquisition. Ultimately though, we are left feeling once again that the club has not done enough to secure the players we need.
However, if we consider the complexities of the winter window, are we actually surprised by this outcome?
The reality is we are not going to beat teams like Manchester City in signing players like Antoine Semenyo.
Instead, we have to attract the players that are left in the market once clubs like City have concluded their business and, unfortunately, those players are often unlikely to be the right solution.
Even if a viable option is identified, moving a player mid-season is difficult. They have to want to come, often from Europe because the existing Premier League players have already been snapped up by the opposition, and often only as part of a loan move until an upgrade is found in the summer.
For now, Thomas Frank must focus on getting the best out of the players he has, so that come the summer we are in a better position to attract higher quality reinforcements.
Behind the scenes, the board must continue to work hard between now and the summer to ensure that the next transfer window is a resounding success.
Spurs brilliance after Var-cical opener shocks Citypublished at 09:03 GMT 4 February
09:03 GMT 4 February
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
I watched the Tottenham v Manchester City draw, mostly with my mouth wide open in the second half as an abject Spurs, from nowhere, dominated City. My chin was on the floor for Dominic Solanke's genius equalising scorpion kick. However, my shock had also yet to recede following Spurs' opener.
It initially looked a good goal. Then the replay showed clearly from one angle, that Solanke had not kicked the ball, he had kicked Marc Guehi's foot onto the ball, which then put the ball in the net.
There is this rule in football which you might be aware of, you are not allowed to kick an opponent, you are supposed to kick the ball. Somehow the VAR thought it perfectly acceptable - what?!
Then an array of pundits, well the ones who spotted it, started to agree it was a perfectly good goal. I must admit I began to wonder if I was missing something, but I looked again and no.
Yes, strikers put their foot in between a defender and the ball to take a hit to win a penalty sometimes, but that is totally different.
On those occasions the forward initiates the contact deliberately. Guehi was going for the ball and got to it ball first. Allowing the goal may well be my least favourite VAR moment of the season, and that is saying something.
