Why isn’t Son Heung-min playing for Spurs against Manchester United?

OK, so nothing is decided in September, even the penultimate day of the month, but Old Trafford stadium plays host to a potentially very telling clash between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Coming into this game sitting in 10th and 11th place respectively – with the same record of two wins, two losses and one draw from their first five matches – the pressure is on to get some positivity flowing.

One player who is not going to influence the result is Son Heung-min, often someone who offers key attacking opportunities, whether scoring himself or laying on assists. But Ange Postecoglou knew that the South Korean star was a doubt and shortly before kick-off it was confirmed that he had not recovered from a hamstring injury picked up during last Thursday’s 3-0 Europa League win over Qarabag.

Man Uts vs Spurs: teamsheets

Starting XI: Manchester United

Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Garnacho, Fernandes (c), Rashford, Zirkzee

Starting XI: Tottenham Hotspur

Vicario; Porro, Romero (c), Van de Ven, Udogie, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke, Werner