Erik ten Hag has praised Spurs as ‘enjoyable to watch’ as Manchester United prepare to face the North Londoners this weekend.
Manchester United host Spurs in the Premier League on Sunday, in a fixture of huge importance for both team’s hopes of European qualification.
Spurs have impressed under the management of Ange Postecoglou this season, emerging as one of the division’s most watchable teams with a front-footed brand of football under the ex-Celtic coach.
Ten Hag admits he has admired the work of Postecoglou, praising the attacking dynamics of Spurs this season.
“Definitely different, so I think they complement they way they played, he changed the environment there, they’re really proactive,” Ten Hag said on Spurs at his pre-match press conference.
“Very enjoyable to watch them with a lot of dynamics, very proactive, they combine it with good results but also when we played them over there and I think that’s what we can take belief out of that.
“In the first 35 minutes we dominated them, we should have gone in the lead but we didn’t so we have to make our own luck and take control of the game and finish the chances.”
Ten Hag confirmed Manchester United have a number of key names close to a first-team return, with Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw all back in training. The Dutchman believes a settled side can help his team’s push for a top-four finish, after a challenging start to the campaign.
“What you actually want is a team that is stable so that it doesn’t matter that you have to swap one player from the other game but not two, so many swaps as we were forced to in the last year.
“Previously we didn’t have the option so often to play a fit squad, that you can pick the team on the approach you want to take to the game.
“When I talk about Licha Martinez returning, Casemiro returning, for instance, they were a long time away, Mason Mount will return but take a little longer, Tyrell Malacia will return as well, Victor Lindelof is also on his way back but it will take some weeks and takes time to get back into match fitness.”
