De Zerbi previews Man United trip, gives injury updates

Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi held his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture against Manchester United at Old Trafford (kick-off 5.30pm UK).

De Zerbi confirmed that Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke are available despite carrying knocks from the international break with the Netherlands. "JP, yesterday, wife gave birth to twins, emotional aspect. We have to consider also this one, but both are available to play," De Zerbi said.

Pedro Porro and Mykhailo Mudryk were ruled out. "Pedro I think not for much time, many games and for Mudryk maybe something more," the Italian added.

James Maddison missed several days of training but is in contention to feature. "Tomorrow he can play, but the Premier League is tough, physically it is a very strong competition and you have to be in the right physical condition to compete," De Zerbi said. "The way is to complete three, four, five weeks in a row without problems."

Dejan Kulusevski, returning from injury, will travel with the squad. De Zerbi praised the Swede's attitude during his recovery: "Forget the player, but the example of how he reacted to the injury, the reaction to being unlucky, the character he showed this time, was an example, a reference for everyone."

On the match itself, De Zerbi said he had been eager to play since Tottenham's home defeat to Aston Villa. "I've been waiting for this game for three weeks, because after the defeat at home against Aston Villa, personally I wanted to play the day after."

Asked about summer signing Mateus Fernandes, who chose Spurs over Manchester United, De Zerbi backed the midfielder to come good with time. "Fernandes is a great player, maybe one of the best players in our team. He needs time to understand the club... but I have big confidence. He has all the confidence of the club but he needs time and we have to give him time."