Man United vs Tottenham: De Zerbi's winless, bottom-placed Spurs head to Carrick's Old Trafford

Two of English football's biggest clubs meet at Old Trafford on Saturday, 10 October, with both managers feeling the heat. Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham Hotspur are bottom of the Premier League without a win after five games, while Michael Carrick's Manchester United have won only two of their opening seven matches in all competitions. Kick-off is 5.30pm UK time, which is 12.30am on Sunday morning in Malaysia.

Spurs' worst-ever Premier League start

Tottenham have two points from five league matches, from two draws and three defeats. It is the club's worst start to a Premier League season. Their recent run reads 0-0 against Nottingham Forest, 0-0 against Everton and a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa.

That record is hard to explain by budget. After surviving relegation on the final day of last season, Spurs spent around £334 million in the summer, including £100 million on midfielder Sandro Tonali, and handed De Zerbi a full pre-season. Yet the Italian has made 13 changes to his starting line-up across five games, more than any other Premier League manager.

Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood, speaking on Sky Sports, was blunt about the selection churn: "I'm not sure the manager knows their best team at the moment."

United's stuttering start under Carrick

Carrick took charge midway through last season and steered United to third place, raising expectations for a full campaign. Instead the start has been patchy. United blew a 2-0 lead to lose to Brighton in the EFL Cup at Old Trafford, and needed a late Matheus Cunha equaliser to draw 1-1 with Fulham.

United's summer approach was more measured than Tottenham's. They committed about £163 million, focusing on midfield with Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba. Scrutiny has also fallen on director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.

Team news after the international break

The merged international window has left both squads stretched. United striker Benjamin Sesko withdrew from Slovenia duty with an injury, Patrick Dorgu is a major doubt after getting hurt with Denmark, and Manuel Ugarte is out. Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford pulled out of the England squad but are expected to be available.

Tottenham's list is longer. Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are both recovering from knee ligament injuries, while Mikhail Mudryk, Dejan Kulusevski, Pedro Porro and Jan Paul van Hecke are also sidelined. Captain Micky van de Ven picked up a wrist problem playing for the Netherlands, though his national coach described it as minor.

Why the result matters

For Spurs, a sixth game without a win would deepen a crisis that is already prompting talk about De Zerbi's future. For United, beating the league's bottom side at home is the minimum expectation, and anything less would add to the pressure building on Carrick and the club's leadership.

Key takeaways

• Manchester United host Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday, 10 October (12.30am Sunday in Malaysia).
• Spurs are bottom with two points from five games, their worst Premier League start.
• Tottenham spent about £334m in the summer, including £100m on Sandro Tonali.
• United have won just two of seven matches in all competitions under Michael Carrick.

FAQ

What time is Man United vs Tottenham in Malaysia? The match kicks off at 12.30am on Sunday, 11 October, Malaysia time (5.30pm Saturday in the UK).

Why are Tottenham bottom of the Premier League? Spurs have not won any of their first five league games, collecting two points from two draws and three defeats.

Who is injured for Manchester United? Ugarte is out, Sesko and Dorgu are doubts, while Mainoo and Rashford are expected to be fit despite missing England duty.

Sources: Sky Sports, The Fighting Cock, The False 9