Manchester United have received a major boost ahead of their season-defining Europa League final with Tottenham Hotspur on May 21st.
Tottenham have revealed that Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella and underwent surgery today.
Kulusevski has been instrumental for Tottenham this season, racking up 10 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
The £51 million-rated star was forced off just 19 minutes into Spurs’ 2-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace, and now faces a spell on the sidelines.
His absence is a crushing blow for Spurs, who will now be without one of their most creative outlets for the final.
His injury adds to the woes of Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou, with James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall already ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
With his attacking options dwindling, Postecoglou must now find new solutions to inject creativity into his side.
The midfield burden will now fall on the trio of Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, and Yves Bissouma to offer control and spark.
Club captain Son Heung-min could be handed a starting role in the final, having made his return from injury in the loss to Palace.
With key players missing for Tottenham, United have a golden opportunity to seize victory and book their ticket to next season’s Champions League.
Despite their woeful league form, currently sitting 16th and just a point above Tottenham, European glory would offer salvation and financial uplift.
A Europa League triumph would paper over the cracks of a disastrous domestic season while unlocking elite European football once again.
Even with Kulusevski sidelined, United cannot afford to underestimate Spurs’ threat.
The Red Devils have faced Tottenham three times this season and have come out second-best on every occasion.
However, a win in this high-stakes clash would flip the narrative and give United the last laugh in what is the most important encounter of the season for both clubs.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com