Tottenham handed fresh injury worry for Europa League final against Man Utd
Tottenham Hotspur’s path to European glory has encountered another potential obstacle as midfielder Pape Matar Sarr became the latest casualty in their growing injury crisis.
The 22-year-old Senegalese international was forced off during Friday’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa, casting doubt over his availability for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao.
The incident occurred in the 53rd minute at Villa Park, with Sarr making his way directly down the tunnel after being substituted.
While manager Ange Postecoglou attempted to downplay the severity – describing the withdrawal as “precautionary” and suggesting the player had “felt something in his back” – the timing could hardly be worse for a squad already stretched to its limits.
Sarr’s potential absence compounds Tottenham’s midfield crisis, with creative linchpins James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski already ruled out.
The club confirmed this week that Kulusevski has undergone knee surgery, while teenage sensation Lucas Bergvall also remains unavailable.
This leaves Postecoglou with severely depleted options in the engine room for the season’s most crucial match.
The Villa encounter saw Postecoglou implement significant rotation, omitting defensive stalwarts Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven entirely while resting key attackers Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke.
The strategy clearly prioritized Wednesday’s final, though it came at the cost of Premier League points as goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara sealed Villa’s victory.
Amid the injury concerns, one positive emerged as captain Heung-min Son completed his first start since April following a foot injury. The South Korean forward, who made a substitute appearance against Crystal Palace last weekend, showed promising signs as he builds towards full match sharpness.
Postecoglou expressed confidence that the extra minutes would leave Son in “good shape” for the final, describing his return as crucial for a squad missing several experienced heads.
Teenage winger Mikey Moore also featured before being substituted, with Postecoglou attributing his withdrawal to fatigue rather than injury.
The 17-year-old’s limited senior experience meant the physical demands of consecutive starts proved challenging, though his involvement suggests he may still play some role in Bilbao.
As Tottenham’s medical staff work around the clock to assess Sarr’s condition, the situation highlights the fine margins facing Postecoglou.
Having carefully managed his squad through a grueling season, the Australian now faces agonizing selection dilemmas.
Van de Ven and Romero’s freshness could prove vital against United’s attack, but their protection relies heavily on a midfield that may be missing its most dynamic presence in Sarr.
The coming days will be critical in determining whether Sarr can recover in time to feature. Should he miss out, Postecoglou may need to deploy Yves Bissouma in a more advanced role or turn to academy products like Jamie Donley to fill the void.
Either scenario would represent a significant gamble in a match that could define Tottenham’s season and shape the manager’s future.
With the club’s first major trophy in 16 years within reach, Spurs find themselves walking an injury tightrope.
Sarr’s back complaint may have been described as precautionary, but in a squad already missing so many key pieces, even minor fitness concerns now carry enormous consequences.
As Bilbao beckons, Tottenham’s hopes may hinge on their medical team’s ability to work miracles in the next 72 hours.