Lead
On 7 February 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank named his starting XI for the Premier League trip to Old Trafford, making three changes ahead of the Manchester United fixture. The north London side, unbeaten in four across all competitions after a 2-2 draw with Manchester City last Sunday, selected Micky van de Ven, Wilson Odobert and Pape Matar Sarr in the starting line-up. Captain Cristian Romero returns after an illness that forced him off at half-time against City, while Michael Carrick continues as Manchester United’s caretaker manager and former Spurs midfielder. The match at Old Trafford will test Spurs’ altered back three and a midfield reshuffle in a 3-4-3 system.
Key takeaways
- Thomas Frank made three personnel changes for the 7 Feb 2026 trip to Old Trafford, restoring Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to the starting XI.
- Tottenham are unbeaten in four competitive matches following a 2-2 draw with Manchester City on the previous Sunday.
- Formation: Frank opted for a 3-4-3 with Joao Palhinha on the right of the back three and Destiny Udogie/Archie Gray as wing-backs.
- Pape Matar Sarr replaces Yves Bissouma to partner Conor Gallagher after Sarr’s influential second-half showing versus City.
- Wilson Odobert starts as the right-sided number 10 alongside Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke; Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel are named among the substitutes.
- Radu Dragusin, who impressed after half-time against City, drops to the bench as Frank prioritises availability and recent form when selecting the back three.
- Bench includes a mix of defensive cover and attacking options: Kinsky, Dragusin, Byfield, Bissouma, Olusesi, Souza, Tel, Kolo Muani, Williams-Barnett.
Background
Tottenham entered the fixture on a positive run: four matches unbeaten across competitions and a morale-boosting 2-2 draw with title-chasers Manchester City the previous weekend. That result underlined Spurs’ capacity to compete with top sides, but it also came with squad management challenges—Romero left the City game at half-time because of illness and several players needed fitness checks in the days that followed. Frank’s selection decisions therefore balanced recovery, recent match impact and tactical fit.
Manchester United arrived at Old Trafford with Michael Carrick acting as caretaker boss; Carrick, a former Tottenham midfielder, has overseen a tactical reset that the club’s hierarchy hopes will steady results ahead of a permanent appointment. For Tottenham, the north London club’s hierarchy and coaching staff must weigh continuity—keeping the momentum from recent performances—against rotation to protect players through a congested schedule.
Main event
Thomas Frank made three notable changes to his starting XI. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were both declared fit and restored to the defence, while Pape Matar Sarr was preferred to Yves Bissouma in midfield. Frank kept Joao Palhinha on the right of the three-man defence, a decision that prioritises defensive balance and passing progression from the back.
The wing-back roles remained with Destiny Udogie on one flank and Archie Gray on the other, the pair being the only wing-backs fully available for selection. In midfield Conor Gallagher partnered Sarr, a pairing intended to combine Gallagher’s intensity with Sarr’s carrying and transitional qualities that impressed late against City.
In attack Wilson Odobert was picked as the right-sided number 10, lining up alongside Xavi Simons and striker Dominic Solanke. Odobert had also missed time due to illness at the weekend but was cleared to start, giving Frank an option who combines directness with wide creativity. Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel were among the substitutes, providing late-game attacking alternatives.
Frank’s full starting line-up read: Vicario; Palhinha, Romero, Van de Ven; Gray, Gallagher, Sarr, Udogie; Odobert, Solanke, Xavi. The substitutes listed were Kinsky, Dragusin, Byfield, Bissouma, Olusesi, Souza, Tel, Kolo Muani, and Williams-Barnett. Radu Dragusin, despite a strong second-half display against City, began the match on the bench.
Analysis & implications
Bringing Romero and Van de Ven back together restores experience and aerial presence to Spurs’ back three, addressing set-piece vulnerability and central defending in one move. Palhinha on the right of the back three signals Frank’s preference for a ball-progressing defender who can step into midfield channels, helping Spurs transition from defence to attack more directly.
The choice of Sarr over Bissouma is tactically significant: Sarr’s energy and vertical carrying threatened City late in the previous match and offers a slightly more progressive option than Bissouma’s conservative shielding. Paired with Gallagher, the midfield balances press intensity and forward momentum, which Frank will need to breach a reorganised Manchester United midfield under Carrick.
Wilson Odobert’s selection on the right of the attacking trio shows Frank trusts the youngster’s recovery and match readiness. Odobert provides pace and one-on-one threat, potentially stretching United’s backline and creating space for Solanke and Xavi Simons to exploit. The bench composition—with Tel and Kolo Muani—offers different attacking profiles should Frank seek a late aerial or power injection.
Strategically, this XI underlines Frank’s focus on match control through a compact central spine and wing-back width. If Spurs can neutralise United’s transitional outlets and win midfield duels, the restored central defenders and the Sarr-Gallagher partnership give them a platform to press for a positive result at Old Trafford.
Comparison & data
| Position | Selected starter | Notable bench option |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Vicario | Kinsky |
| Back three | Palhinha, Romero, Van de Ven | Dragusin |
| Wing-backs | Gray, Udogie | Byfield / Olusesi |
| Midfield | Gallagher, Pape Matar Sarr | Bissouma |
| Front three | Odobert, Solanke, Xavi Simons | Tel, Kolo Muani |
The table shows Frank’s starting concept: a defence prioritising size and stepping ability, a midfield blend of grit and carry, and an attack mixing pace and central finishing. The bench offers tactical switches rather than wholesale formation changes, suggesting Frank intended stability unless the match situation demanded otherwise.
Reactions & quotes
Public and official reactions focused on squad recovery and Frank’s selection logic. The club’s team announcement confirmed the XI and noted the returns to fitness for Romero and Van de Ven.
Paraphrase: “Romero and Van de Ven are available and the manager has adjusted the XI accordingly for Old Trafford.”
Tottenham Hotspur (team announcement, paraphrased)
Observers highlighted Pape Matar Sarr’s recent impact and how that shaped Frank’s midfield choice, seeing Sarr as a forward-driving presence capable of altering the tempo.
Paraphrase: “Sarr’s second-half performance against Manchester City earned him a starting role alongside Gallagher.”
Football analysts (paraphrased)
Manchester United’s interim management and fan responses emphasised the competitive nature of the fixture and the interest in how both sides’ recent adjustments would play out on the pitch.
Paraphrase: “Carrick’s caretaker spell has prompted tactical shifts at United; Old Trafford expects a tightly contested match.”
Match commentators (paraphrased)
Unconfirmed
- Djed Spence’s status was reported as “touch and go” ahead of the match; the extent and expected recovery timeline were not fully disclosed.
- Details of the illness that forced Cristian Romero off at half-time against Manchester City have not been publicly specified beyond being described as a short-term issue.
- Any late tactical instructions or injury updates issued after the published team list may alter the final matchday decisions and were not available at the time of this report.
Bottom line
Thomas Frank’s selection for the Old Trafford fixture prioritised available experience and recent form: restoring Romero and Van de Ven strengthens the core, while Sarr’s inclusion rewards his late impact versus City. The 3-4-3 setup keeps tactical continuity while allowing targeted rotation to manage fitness concerns.
What to watch next: how well the Palhinha-Romero-Van de Ven axis protects against Manchester United transitions, whether Sarr can sustain forward momentum in midfield, and if Odobert’s return from illness provides the expected attacking spark. Any of those outcomes will shape Spurs’ momentum as they aim to maintain their unbeaten run across competitions.
Sources
- Football London (news report) — match team announcement and selection analysis.