Son Heung-min, who complained of hamstring pain, will he be able to play in this Manchester United away game?
Tottenham Hotspur won 3-0 in the home game against Karabakh in the first round of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League league phase on the 27th (Korean time). However, there was a lot of bleeding.
Tottenham’s game plan was thrown into disarray due to Dragusin’s early exit. Here, the physical wastage due to numerical inferiority was greater than expected. And Captain Son Heung-min complained of hamstring pain and was replaced.
Photo = REUTERS = Provided by Yonhap News
Son Heung-min’s suspected injury situation is not very good for Tottenham. Although he is not yet in 100% condition this season, he is still the most threatening man in the Premier League, so the difference between being on and off the pitch is huge.
Tottenham coach Enze Postecoglou did not view Son Heung-min’s condition negatively. He plans to test Son Heung-min’s physical condition ahead of the Manchester United trip to be held on the 30th.
Coach Postekoglou said, “We will watch this situation together with Son Heung-min. There are also Kulusevskis that can be played in a variety of places, so there are a few options. “For now, I will first look at Son Heung-min’s situation,” he said.
He added, “I don’t always have the final say, but I like to think that my opinion is important. “I want to see Son Heung-min playing and leading Tottenham for a while longer,” he added.
It is currently known that Son Heung-min’s will to play for Manchester United is strong. In fact, Coach Postekoglou said, “Son Heung-min wants to participate in training the day before the game.”
Maybe it can be seen as a big stretch. Son Heung-min is a player who is now in his mid-30s. In terms of skills, he can still be considered to be in his prime, but physically, he is slowly declining.
This season, he played in not a single game without resting. Manchester United’s away trip is a very important game, but there is no reason for Son Heung-min, who is not in perfect physical condition, to force himself to play. It’s only the beginning of the season.
Reporters from ‘Football London’ also shared their opinions on whether Son Heung-min should play in the Manchester United away game. They also had different opinions.
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Tottenham reporter Alasdair Gold said, “Everything will be decided in the last training session a day before the Manchester United trip. “Son Heung-min’s participation will depend on the condition of his hamstring,” he said.
He continued, “It is difficult to conduct hamstring-related tests until the day of the game. It will be a late test for Son Heung-min. “Losing him just one game is better than losing him for a lot longer.”
Gold added: “Son Heung-min’s game is focused on penetrating the flanks and the centre. If his hamstring is injured rather than fatigued, playing in the game will make the situation worse. “I will be on the side of the captain not playing.”
Gold selected Vicario, Foro, Romero, Vanderven, Udogi, Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski, Solanke and Johnson as the best 11 for the Manchester United match. The idea is that Kulusevski can fill Son Heung-min’s void.
However, Lee Willmott had different thoughts. He said, “The biggest question for us is whether Son Heung-min will play or not. “If his physical strength is up to par, it is important for him to play as a starter,” he said.
Wilmot said, “Vicario, Foro, Romero, Vanderven, and Udogi have a stable defense. Here, Bentancur, Kulusevski, and Bissouma will defend the midfield. Maddison will come on from the bench when needed to attack the United defence. “The most important things are Son Heung-min, Solanke, and Johnson, who is in good condition,” he explained.
From Tottenham’s perspective, there is bound to be a strong will to continue their recent upward trend in their away trip to Manchester United. Moreover, Manchester United’s two-game winning streak was broken by a draw with Crystal Palace and Twente. We can expect Manchester United’s first away win in four years.
In the end, Son Heung-min’s hamstring condition is the most important.
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[민준구 MK스포츠 기자]
