Dejan Kulusevski will miss Tottenham’s Europa League final against Manchester United after undergoing surgery on his knee, dealing a major blow to the club’s hopes of ending their trophy drought.
Kulusevski, a regular in Postecoglou’s starting XI during the first half of the campaign, suffered the injury in Sunday’s 2-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace after being caught by Marc Guehi and was substituted in the 19th minute.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou provided a mixed assessment post-match, but further scans have shown the Swedish playmaker required surgery.
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“We can confirm that Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella in our Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace last weekend,” a Tottenham statement said.
“Following further specialist consultation, the midfielder has undergone surgery today (Wednesday) and will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately.”
Kulusevski posted to Instagram: “For the people that I gave joy this year Thanku I appreciate you and I love you. I pray for you. Don’t be sad we will be back and we coming for everybody. “
Injuries have become a common theme throughout the season for Postecoglou and Tottenham – midfielder James Maddison was last week ruled out for the rest of the season, while teenager Lucas Bergvall suffered an ankle injury while training.
Spurs, 17th in the Premier League, take on United, one place above them, in Bilbao on May 21. Tottenham have not won a trophy since the 2008 League Cup, and have not tasted European glory since winning the UEFA Cup in 1984.
Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
CL RETURN MORE IMPORTANT THAN EUROPA GLORY FOR AMORIM
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes a return to the Champions League is even more important than winning his first trophy in charge of the Red Devils when they face Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Victory in Bilbao on May 21 will hand a lifeline to one of the struggling English giants by propelling them directly into the lucrative league phase of next season’s Champions League.
United and Tottenham sit just outside the Premier League relegation zone and the loser will miss out on European competition entirely next season.
A return to Europe’s elite tournament is estimated to be worth at least £70 million (AU$144 million) to United and would allow Amorim more resources to rebuild his squad.
“For me the Champions League is more important,” Amorim said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“For everything, to prepare the next season.
“We are supposed to be in the Champions League. Europa League here is not enough and you have to have that feeling here.
“The best way to help us to get to the top in a few years is the Champions League. It is not the title, the trophy.
“The most important thing is how this title could help us to get back to the top faster.”
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United. Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United. Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
A dramatic run to the final has salvaged a torrid start to Amorim’s time at Old Trafford.
Since taking charge in November, he has won just six of 25 Premier League games. The Portuguese coach has at times been brutal in the assessment of his team, including labelling them the worst in the club’s history.
However, he rejected suggestions he could resign if United compound a miserable season with defeat in Spain.
“I cannot see the team having these results, especially in the Premier League, and see nothing and not take the responsibility,” added Amorim.
“It’s just that I have a clear idea of what to do. I understand the problems of the team, so I’m far from quitting.
“What I’m saying is that we need to perform. In the future we need to perform or else they will change us.” Amorim confirmed reports that he will help fund travel for the families of his backroom staff to the final.
United have made swingeing cuts off the field in the year since British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority stake in the club, including 250 redundancies with up to 200 more to come.
Amorim said that negativity has played a part in United’s struggles this season but the Europa League offers the chance for a much-needed boost.
“This season has been really tough on everybody. The results and also the changes in the staff. You can feel it in our club.
“We had so many bad results in the Premier League, so the environment is tough at the moment. But I guarantee you that when we are preparing a game in the Europa League, the environment is a little bit different and you can feel the excitement.”