Ryan Mason has ruled out making wholesale changes for his debut game as interim head coach against Manchester United on Thursday.
Tottenham’s newest temporary manager used a 4-2-3-1 formation in the final six games of the 2020-21 season, but the team conceded five goals in the first 21 minutes with a back four in Sunday’s devastating 6-1 loss to Newcastle.
Mason may therefore revert to the five-at-the-back system utilized by Antonio Conte and Cristian Stellini prior to the St. James’ Park disaster, especially with Ben Davies and Clement Lenglet doubtful to start and Emerson Royal likely to be sidelined.
Hugo Lloris is a doubt after being taken out at halftime against Newcastle, therefore Fraser Forster is expected to fill in.
Mason may make a change in the front three, with Dejan Kulusevski off of form and Richarlison and on-loan Arnaut Danjuma competing for minutes.
Otherwise, expect a familiar lineup, even though the Spurs intend to take a different strategy against Erik Ten Hag’s team.
Rodrigo Bentancur (ACL), Yves Bissouma (ankle), and Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) are all set to miss the game.
Spurs predicted XI (3-4-3): Forster; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Porro, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Perisic; Richarlison, Son, Kane.
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