Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a major setback ahead of their crucial Premier League clash against Manchester United this weekend, with the club confirming that young midfielder Lucas Bergvall will be unavailable due to injury.
The news comes as a huge blow to Thomas Frank’s side, who are already aiming to recover from a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in their recent London derby.
Tottenham were hoping to bounce back with a strong response at home, but their preparations have been disrupted by a fresh injury concern.
Bergvall, one of the club’s most promising young talents, has been ruled out after sustaining a concussion during the Chelsea match. The 19-year-old midfielder lasted just seven minutes on the pitch before being forced off following a powerful clearance from Enzo Fernandez that struck him on the head.
Despite initially wanting to continue, Tottenham’s medical team acted quickly and substituted him after carrying out a concussion assessment, prioritizing his health and safety above all else.
Manager Thomas Frank confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Bergvall will miss both the Champions League fixture against FC Copenhagen and the upcoming league encounter with Manchester United.
“Lucas got a concussion, which was probably pretty obvious from the footage,” Frank explained. “Big praise to the medical team because it’s a tricky situation to deal with when it happens early in a big game. They did the right thing by taking him off. The player’s health is always the most important thing.”
The Spurs boss went on to confirm that the youngster will be sidelined under concussion protocol and unavailable for the next two games.
“Yes, he’s out for the next two matches,” Frank added, putting an end to any hopes of a quick return for the Swedish midfielder.
Tottenham’s medical department has been cautious with head injuries, strictly following Premier League and FA concussion guidelines, which recommend a mandatory recovery period before players can resume competitive action.
While Bergvall’s absence is a setback, the decision reflects the club’s responsible approach to player welfare.
There were initial fears that Djed Spence and Mohammed Kudus could also miss the upcoming fixtures after the pair sat out training earlier in the week.
However, Frank provided some positive news by revealing that both players should be fit to feature in the Champions League game against Copenhagen and the weekend clash against Manchester United.
Their return will provide some much-needed depth and energy as Spurs prepare for a demanding stretch of fixtures.
Meanwhile, Manchester United travel to North London with a clean bill of health and renewed confidence. Harry Maguire made his return to the squad during United’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, and Lisandro Martinez has resumed full training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The availability of both defenders gives Erik ten Hag’s team a significant boost heading into the weekend.
For Tottenham, though, Bergvall’s absence will be felt deeply. The teenager has quickly made an impression since breaking into the first team, earning praise for his composure, vision, and ability to dictate play in midfield.
His injury denies Frank a valuable option in the middle of the park, particularly at a time when the team is trying to regain rhythm and confidence.
The timing of the setback is particularly frustrating given Tottenham’s recent inconsistency. After a promising start to the season, the team’s form has wavered, with goals and creativity drying up in key moments.
Frank was hoping to use the Copenhagen match to rebuild momentum before facing United, but Bergvall’s absence adds another challenge to an already tricky week.
Still, Spurs remain determined to deliver a strong response. The team’s focus will now be on managing the remaining squad carefully, maintaining intensity in midfield, and finding ways to rediscover their attacking spark. For Bergvall, the next step will be rest, recovery, and a gradual return under medical supervision.
While losing the young midfielder is a disappointment, Tottenham’s decision to prioritize his health sends the right message. Head injuries in football are treated with greater seriousness than ever before, and Spurs’ swift handling of the situation has earned widespread praise.
Fans will be hoping that Bergvall makes a full recovery soon, but for now, Tottenham must prepare to face Manchester United without one of their brightest young stars.
