Postecoglou refuses claims not to start Tottenham teen sensation in Son Heung-min injury update
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed that a late decision will be made regarding the fitness of captain Son Heung-min ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Manchester United.
Son played in Thursday’s Europa League opener against Qarabag, where Spurs secured a 3-0 victory despite being reduced to 10 men early in the game.
However, Son had to leave the field in the 71st minute after suffering a hamstring issue, which raises concerns about his availability for the crucial trip to Old Trafford.
Postecoglou, speaking ahead of the weekend fixture, expressed hope that Son’s injury isn’t serious and shared that the player is keen to train on Saturday.
The manager is giving Son every chance to prove his fitness, stating that the next 24 hours will be decisive.
Postecoglou noted that apart from Son, the rest of the squad came out of the Qarabag match relatively unscathed, though several players were understandably fatigued after their efforts in the Europa League.
If Son is unable to play, Postecoglou has a few options to consider. Timo Werner, who replaced Son during the Qarabag match, is a likely candidate to step in.
Another option is young prospect Mikey Moore, whom the manager has been monitoring closely. When questioned about Moore’s readiness to start in such a high-profile game, Postecoglou did not rule it out, mentioning that the team’s options are limited with both Wilson Odobert and Richarlison unavailable due to injuries.
Dejan Kulusevski could also fill in on the wing, providing the team with some versatility in their attacking setup.
However, the focus remains on whether Son can recover in time, and Postecoglou is optimistic that the team will have clarity after the final training session.
Son’s future at Tottenham has also come into question this week. Ahead of the Qarabag match, Son addressed his contract situation, admitting that no new talks have taken place.
His current deal is set to expire next summer, but Tottenham has the option to extend it for an additional year.
Despite the uncertainty, Postecoglou is clear in his desire to keep the 32-year-old forward at the club for what would be a decade-long tenure in North London.
While the final decision may not rest entirely with Postecoglou, he emphasized that his opinion carries weight in such matters and that Son’s leadership and performances make him an integral part of Tottenham’s future.
The manager also touched on recent transfer rumors linking Tottenham with a potential move for Inter Milan’s forward Marcus Thuram.
The French international has been in impressive form since joining Inter from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2023. Thuram’s performances have caught the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, who are reportedly competing with Spurs for his signature.
Tottenham’s interest in the highly-rated forward signals their intent to strengthen their attacking options, especially with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Son’s long-term future.
In addition to transfer speculation, Postecoglou addressed the situation surrounding Lucas Bergvall, who was substituted early in the Qarabag match following Radu Dragusin’s red card.
Bergvall, a summer signing, was taken off just 10 minutes into the game as Postecoglou reshuffled the team to maintain their defensive shape.
While the young Swede appeared visibly disappointed, Postecoglou reassured him that more opportunities would come.
The manager’s decision was purely tactical, and he reiterated his commitment to giving Bergvall plenty of chances to prove himself as the season progresses.
As Tottenham prepares for their upcoming match against Manchester United, much of the focus remains on Son’s fitness and the tactical adjustments Postecoglou may need to make if his captain is unavailable.
The team’s strong start to the season, both domestically and in Europe, has shown their resilience and depth, but the match at Old Trafford represents a significant challenge.
With key players potentially missing, Tottenham’s squad will need to step up, and Postecoglou’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial in maintaining their momentum.
The manager’s confidence in his team, combined with the possible addition of new signings like Marcus Thuram, suggests that Spurs are prepared to compete at the highest level this season, regardless of the obstacles they face.