Tottenham-Gastheer Manchester United in a bottom half of the Premier League collision this weekend and luckily for one of them they cannot both lose.
It has been a season to forget for both parties, who are currently in the table 15th and 14th respectively. United, 20 times English football champions, are on schedule for their worst season ever, somehow worse than the 2023-24 disaster under Erik ten Hag.
Tottenham is now the same. Their current total of 1.12 points per match is worse than the 1.16 they picked up in the Premier League season 1997-98 when they finished on 44 points-hun worst total ever.
A victory for both sides on Sunday, but could finally start their season. Not too many – traces are out of the race for every trophy, apart from the Europa League – United also has the FA Cup – but it is a starting point.
But how bad do both parties really have it? What's the culprit? And is there a way in the short term that their problems can be solved?
Mail Sport looks at the disaster reviews for each side, assesses seven important areas of both clubs of 10 and diving into where their problems are real.
Manager
Tottenham: In theory, these two parties have two managers who can be at the opposite ends of their term of office.
Ange Postecoglou has been in his stay in North London for more than a year and a half, and has sometimes hung on his work through a thread. Spurs failure in every competition, apart from the Europa League, have had a number of embarrassing defeats and every press conference seems to involve the Australian Snapping in a reporter.
Yet he maintains the faith of the powers that are. Other things seemed to have happened outside of his control – more about that later – and it seems that he will get an honest crack if he has a fully fit team available.
Yet it has been far under the par and it feels like the trigger can be pulled any moment. 4/10
Man United: Ruben Amorim seemed to signal a new start at Old Trafford, but it was anything but anyway. United continues to fall for defeats, and Amorim has not been shy to express his views in the media.
A collision with Marcus Rashford has so far been the most important plot line of his stay, while a refusal to fascinate his favorite 3-4-3 starts with lifting eyebrows.
United would be right to stay with him, but the potential for another disaster and management change is already there. 6/10
Plate
Tottenham: “We want Levy Out.” They are the songs that are nowadays regularly heard around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Since Daniel Levy took over as chairman in 2001, it has been up and down for Spurs – their shiny new site in North London shows, there has been something good to go with the observed bad.
But no trophy since 2008 and a 'Spursy' tag eventually comes down to one man. That did not stop him to try it – and Spurs will always be stable of the field – but football success is what is most important to many. 4/10
Man United: The same song was used in Manchester in reference to the Glazer family until Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority interest and took over control over football matters almost a year ago.
But there is still a disaster on the field and regularly cuts in the club seem to cause unrest among fans. Then Ashworth was inserted as a sports director and was quickly fired, and there is a general feeling of 'what is the next step'?
Ratcliffe has a long way to go to win United fans. 5/10
Transfers
Tottenham: Spurs and Levy spent great in the summer and recruit Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall. Although Solanke and Bergvall have settled well, Gray played out of position all season and Odobert has an injury in the long term.
In January it was a patching-up task, in which Kevin Danso and Antonin Kinsky arrived to give support in the midst of injuries. Mathys Tel, however, is their signing of the season, and Spurs will be satisfied if they can make it permanent.
Yet they need more. But in the last two transfer penters it has been quite successful, although some Spurs fans may disagree. 8/10
Man United: Just like Spurs, United Groot spent in the summer on Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt, with Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui who also arrive. So far there has been a mixed return on their investment.
In January their hands were somewhat bound from a PSR perspective, with Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven the only arrivals. Antony and Rashford left loan, but there must be many more outs in the summer. 6/10
Damage
Tottenham: there is no sugar coating. Tottenham is decimated by injuries this season.
Their current defeat list includes Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Wilson Odobert, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario and Radu Dragusin.
Other stars – Micky van de Ven and James Maddison to name only two – have also been with problems in and out of the side. Is it the fault of Postecoglou? Difficult to know for sure. But it did not help his business in making players available for selection.
Seeing the written players makes it easier to understand why he is still being supported. It doesn't get much worse. 1/10
Man United: United has had to deal with injuries this season, but not much more than any other side, and certainly not at the same level in Tottenham.
That was until this weekend.
The ACL injury of Lisandro Martinez was a huge blow, while Luke Shaw also continues to struggle for fitness and had only made one league match this season. Mason Mount is currently also the sidelines.
But things came down on Saturday when it was revealed that Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte had both suffered injuries, while Postsport exclusively broke that Amad Diallo could miss the rest of the season. Problems. 4/10
Players
Tottenham: one of the arguments of the 'Ange in' Spurs fans is that Postecoglou does not have the players available to play the way he wants, as the song goes.
A striking game All-Aggression is difficult if you have so many first choice players absent. Again, is that his problem? Maybe. Or maybe the players may just not be good enough.
While Archie Gray and Djed Spence have been performed in the defense, players such as Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma have struggled further forward.
In the meantime, son Heung-Min looks a shadow of his former self. Spurs fans hope for a busy summer window. 5/10
Man United: All you have to do at United is to take a look at their forward line. Only three goals between them for Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee so far this season. Scott McTominay has more alone since his summer output to Napoli.
Kobbie Mainoo has been tested in advance, the Wingers have difficulty becoming no. 10s and the defense is exchanged every week.
Some have said that United needs a whole need for what Amorim wants to do. They may be right – he has keen them 'the worst side in the history of the club'. 3/10
Tactic
Tottenham: There is not much focus on formation with Postecoglou – more his approach to competitions.
Often criticized because he does not adapt, it was almost 100 km / h or nothing, and it was a tactical approach that saw his party come loose for a number of occasions.
We recently saw him adjust a little more, so teams can have the ball, although it has not bought much more success. It will be interesting to see if that remains in coming games. 5/10
Man United: it's 3-4-3 or nothing for Amorim. Don't you like it? Name another coach, he says.
After Gary Neville had expressed his concern that Amorim has trouble selling his ideas to the players of United, Mail Sport reported that some people discussed themselves or a plan change that is better suited for their playing style is the best way to get ahead.
If the players question it themselves, there is not much hope. There is no better current or a clearer identity, because Amorim has also taken the lead – but the formation will not change quickly – so get used to it. 5/10
Season in general
Both United and Tottenham still have a long way to return to their best. It is clear that there are problems at both clubs, both on and outside the field, and it will take time.
There are reasons to be cheerful – Amorim starts a project, players are starting to return to fitness at Spurs and both parties will strengthen in the summer transfer window.
But a lack of success this season, questionable tactics and poor players have contributed that this campaign is a bit of a disaster for both Tottenham and United.
Totals:
Tottenham 27/60
Man United: 29/60
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