Man Utd play Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday and Thomas Frank has spoken ahead of the game.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank.(Image: 2025 Eurasia Sport Images)
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Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has lauded Bruno Fernandes for getting Manchester United 'ticking' over the last six years. Fernandes provided two assists in the 3-2 victory against Fulham last weekend.
The midfielder has 12 assists in the Premier League this season, meaning he is eight shy of the league's assist record, which is shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne.
Fernandes has been crucial in Michael Carrick's dream start to his interim role. Carrick has overseen three wins on the bounce against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham to lift United up to fourth in the table.
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Carrick is hoping to oversee a fourth successive win against Spurs this weekend. Tottenham have suffered a difficult season so far, and Frank is conscious of the forwards Carrick has at his disposal.
Speaking at his press conference, Frank said: "We know the threats they pose from Mbeumo, Amad, Cunha and Bruno Fernandes, who is getting this team ticking. He has done that for the last, I don't know, four or five years. It has been incredible. It is a threat, it is a challenge, but we are looking forward to it."
Frank was asked about the new manager bounce United have enjoyed since Carrick's arrival. The Dane has not improved Spurs' results in the Premier League since his appointment from Brentford in the summer, but he believes it's unfair to compare the two clubs due to United not having the extra commitment of European football
"It is maybe a nice little context to say that Man United don't play European football," he said. I think we can all acknowledge there is a little bit [extra]. It is an extra challenge, something we embrace and we are happy with.
"I think let's judge ourselves when we are on the same challenges. The ambition is that we want to do very well and carry on with the good performances and beat Man United.
"I think [Carrick] has had a great start. It seems like a little bit of energy was injected into the team. I think it looks like some of the players are in a good place."
Tottenham will be without Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison this weekend.
Frank's squad has been ravaged by injuries, but Spurs finished fourth in the revamped Champions League table to automatically progress to the last 16 of the competition.
United drew 2-2 with Tottenham in London in November after an equaliser in added time from Matthijs de Ligt. Spurs were losing 1-0 for most of the game, but scored two goals in quick succession to turn it around, only to concede again with the last kick of the contest.