The glaring problems Roberto De Zerbi must fix ahead of Tottenham’s crunch test at Man United, how his patience is starting to wear thin after dismal start – and why new signings are a concern after £340m rebuild

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi faces mounting pressure ahead of a Premier League match against Manchester United, with Spurs sitting bottom of the table after securing just two points from their opening five games. The Italian coach has seen his patience tested following a £340 million summer rebuild, as high-profile additions including £85 million signing Mateus Fernandes and £100 million midfielder Sandro Tonali have struggled to make an immediate impact.

Spurs are also managing several fitness concerns ahead of the Old Trafford fixture, with James Maddison suffering a training setback that prevents him from starting. However, Dejan Kulusevski is set to travel with the squad as he nears a return from a serious knee injury suffered in May 2025, with De Zerbi urging his struggling squad to draw inspiration from the winger's recovery.