A new episode of The Devils' Advocate has landed.
This week Joe McGrath and Gaz Drinkwater are joined by golfer and United fan Sam Horsfield to reflect on the 2-2 draw at Tottenham, the injury to Benjamin Sesko and to what extent Ruben Amorim should be backed in January.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Manchester United showed "good character" to come from a goal down to get a point against Tottenham on Saturday, believes former striker Wayne Rooney.
Matthijs de Ligt scored an equaliser deep into stoppage time to earn a dramatic point and Rooney told his BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show how key it was to avoid defeat.
"It's important to try and get something out of each game," Rooney said.
"I think they would have been a little bit disappointed with going 1-0 up and then conceding the two goals. But I think it has shown really good character to come back and then a good header from De Ligt at the end to get a point.
"I know Tottenham haven't been great at home this season, but it's always a difficult place to go.
"So, if you'd have said before the game about getting a point, I probably would have taken it. It was good to keep the unbeaten run going going into the international break"
Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Manchester United.
Here are some of your comments:
Tottenham fans
Herman: The first half was awful, the second half a bit better. Destiny Udogie, Tel and Wilson Odobert were much better than the players they came in for. Some substitutions could have come earlier. We've got no-one in front to hold the ball. Why doesn't Dane Scarlett get a chance?
James: Frustrating first-half display. We got into some decent positions and just lacked quality in the final third. Then for the goal it was reminiscent of so many goals we conceded last season where we'd just try to play out no matter the context. I feel like sometimes our players don't read the game well. Glad we managed to get back into it and take the lead, only to then not close the game out. Again, a similar theme to last season. At least we scored from open play.
Andrew: Poor first half and poor goals - but good second-half display. Xavi Simons is getting better and more influential. Two point-blank saves kept Manchester United in it but we sat way too deep after taking the lead.
David: Mediocre performance overall but relieved by a fine goal from Tel. This squad has more to offer than we're seeing at the moment.
Man Utd fans
Andrew: Happy with the draw but United lacked any urgency to win the game. I was hoping that the first goal it would spark some quality football to be played but it didn't. When we had possession, United did not find the spaces that were there to attack the goal. There was no proactive play. Luckily for United, the opposition were just as bad.
Noel: Another inconsistent performance by United. They lack the physicality as a team to play a full 90 minutes, particularly in midfield and defence. Desperate for a holding midfielder with legs to complement Casemiro. More positively, we came back well and the keeper looks like a big improvement on the previous two.
Matt: That result sums up perfectly where we are right now. We're not strong enough to get over the line in a close match, but we are more resilient than last season, so therefore we're drawing matches we would have otherwise lost.
Dean: United actually controlled the game without having too much of the ball. For 80 minutes I couldn't see Spurs scoring. We miss the pace of Rasmus Hojlund up front. United should have taken all three points. Too many subs all at once and the team lost focus.
Manchester United want to sign a central midfielder in January, with Atletico Madrid's former Chelsea player Conor Gallagher, 25, and Germany international Angelo Stiller of Stuttgart, 24, top of their list. (Give Me Sport), external
United are also keen on Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra, with Atletico and AC Milan also watching the 22-year-old. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Meanwhile, United are unable to recall striker Rasmus Hojlund from his loan spell with Napoli in January. (Star), external
Finally, ex-United midfielder Scott McTominay wants Napoli to sign Kobbie Mainoo. (Sun, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
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A dramatic - or drab - Saturday lunchtime Premier League match with as many questions as answers, and for Manchester United a major injury scare.
United striker Benjamin Sesko was introduced into the game for Noussair Mazraoui after 58 minutes.
The Slovenian had already wasted a couple of opportunities when he suffered an injury three minutes from time chasing down a long ball. It was immediately obvious Sesko could not continue, and as United had already used all five substitutes they had to complete the game, which stood at 1-1, with 10 men.
Head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed afterwards Sesko had sustained a knee injury, but did not know how serious it was. However, in connection to a question about the January transfer window, Amorim said "because it's the knee you never know" - the inference being it might be.
That would be a major issue, particularly as United will lose two of their main offensive threats - Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo - to the Africa Cup of Nations in December.
"We have to check, it's something in his knee," said Amorim.
On the transfer situation: "We have to check everything. We have to check what has happened with Ben.
"Of course, we are going to have a problem there, but we already knew."
Losing Sesko would be an unhappy postscript to a very strange game.
You an read more analysis on Man Utd's draw with Tottenham here
Pundits Alan Shearer and Theo Walcott join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAmorim's face was a picture at the end, that of someone who couldn't compute what he had just seen.
A coach who likes to control everything had just been put through the Premier League washing machine by one of those games where little seems to make sense.
On the plus side, United are now five games unbeaten. On the negative, for the second week in succession they failed to win after leading at the break, this time after they had been in control of a game against opponents who, unlike them, were not benefiting from having had a full week to prepare.
They also conceded two goals for the third game in a row - Amorim said on Thursday the leaky defence was a concern and that something has to be done about it. The question is, what?
On Saturday his side suffered after Harry Maguire and Casemiro had gone off. Given neither man seems to be able to complete a full 90 minutes a solution must be found.
As at Forest, United were also undone by crosses, a failing which Amorim said his players had been working to correct this week.
Evidently, there is much more still to do.
'Lack of quality' cost Man Utd - Amorim
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-2 draw with Tottenham: "It was a complicated match, especially in the end. If you look at the game the three points were there to take. I think we can be so much better to understand more what's happening in the game.
"We lacked a little bit in the final third, the quality was not perfect. We fight in every adversity. We lost Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Benjamin Sesko and we lose two goals, but we still managed to score.
"That lack of quality in the simple things of the games, it wasn't there. We move on."
On the international break: "All the players are internationals. We are going to use that space of time to improve not just the team, but the club.
"We have to check [our injured players]."
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Tottenham's performance
What did you make of Manchester United's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Paulinha, Spence, Sarr, Johnson, Simons, Richarlison , Kolo Muani.
Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Tel, Odobert, Udogie, Bentancur, Scarlett, Akhamrich, Rowswell.
Manchester United XI: Lammens, De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Dorgu, Amad, Mbeumo, Cunha.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Yoro, Dalot, Mount, Zirkzee, Sesko, Ugarte, Heaven, Fletcher.
There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Tottenham v Manchester United (12:30)
Everton v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
West Ham v Burnley - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Sunderland v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Chelsea v Wolves (20:00)
Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Fulham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Arsenal", for instance.
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist
In-form Manchester United kick-off the Premier League weekend when they travel south to face Tottenham on Saturday (12:30 GMT). BBC Sport explores some of the key themes surrounding this fixture.
Spurs' conflicting home form
Tottenham's convincing 4-0 victory over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night extended their long unbeaten home run in Europe, a remarkable contrast to their league form in north London.
Spurs have now won 18 and drawn four of their past 22 European games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, excluding a Conference League fixture against Rennes which they were forced to forfeit in December 2021 because of a Covid outbreak. Their most recent European home defeat on their pitch was 1-0 against RB Leipzig in the Champions League in February 2020.
Home struggles for Thomas Frank's side have been exclusively a Premier League problem. Last weekend's limp defeat to rivals Chelsea was their third of the campaign in N17 and promoted Burnley are the only top-flight team they've beaten at their impressive stadium this season.
The Lilywhites have mustered three wins and 13 points from their 19 home league matches over the past 12 months – the worst record of any Premier League team during that period.
Frank's men will attempt to arrest that lengthy slump on Saturday when they face a team against whom they've enjoyed the upper hand in recent seasons.
Spurs are unbeaten in seven previous meetings with Manchester United across all competitions (W5, D2) and won all four clashes last season, including the Europa League final in May.
Tottenham's last defeat to United? A league meeting at Old Trafford in October 2022.
United's recent away struggles
Manchester United head to north London on a four-match unbeaten run in the top flight (W3, D1) and only sit below their hosts in the table on goal difference.
The Red Devils are enjoying their joint-best run of form under head coach Ruben Amorim but will be keen to start collecting more points on the road.
Just one of their past 10 Premier League away games has resulted in victory (D3, L6) and they also fell to a shock defeat at Grimsby this season in the EFL Cup.
However, this fixture is one that Manchester United have largely dominated during the Premier League era.
United are seeking their 40th Premier League victory over Spurs this Saturday – no other side has beaten the Lilywhites more in the competition. The Mancunians have only enjoyed more wins against fellow Premier League ever-present sides Everton and Aston Villa.
However, United have triumphed in just three of their previous 25 league visits to London (D6, L16) and the last time they ventured to the capital in September they were beaten 3-1 by Thomas Frank's former side Brentford.
It is hard to know how to view Tottenham at the moment, especially at home where they have been pretty underwhelming in the Premier League so far.
Tottenham have only taken one point from their past four league games in their own stadium since beating Burnley on the opening weekend of the season, including last week's defeat by Chelsea when a couple of their players gave Thomas Frank the cold shoulder afterwards.
They did beat Copenhagen comfortably there in the Champions League on Tuesday, but it's still hard to make a case for them to overcome Manchester United because I'm not really sure where their goals are going to come from.
Mind you, I'm still not convinced by Ruben Amorim's side either. There is no doubt they have shown strong signs of improvement, but I still don't fully trust them to turn up, especially on the road.
Tottenham beat Manchester United four times last season, including in the Europa League final. This time? If I had to pick a winner I would actually back United, but I don't - so I'm going for a draw.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United defender Leny Yoro has said he still feels he made the right decision to move to Old Trafford.
Numerous clubs were keen on signing the France youngster when he decided to leave Lille in 2024, including Real Madrid.
Yoro chose United but almost immediately after making the £52.18m switch he fractured his foot in a pre-season game against Arsenal in the United States, which ruled the 19-year-old out for over four months.
By that point, the manager who signed him, Erik ten Hag, had been replaced by Ruben Amorim and Yoro had to adapt to a completely different style of play than he was expecting.
United went on to finish 15th in the Premier League and their Europa League final defeat by Tottenham meant they would not be involved in European football of any description this season.
Regardless, Yoro, who has started seven of United's 10 league games so far this season, has no regrets.
"Even with last season, I never had this feeling of regret," he said.
"I know Manchester United, I know sometimes you can have a bad season. But this club is a top club, you cannot have doubts about this.
"I knew the project before I came. Of course, I did not expect to finish 15th in the first year - this is something we need to face.
"But today my choice is Manchester [United] and I'm really happy with this.
"I know some people talked about this last year because of the results. I can understand them, but honestly, it's my choice and my career.
"I know what I'm doing and I'm just going to be better in the future."
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United defender Leny Yoro has revealed his mum pranked the media into believing she had named her eldest son after American singer Lenny Kravitz.
Yoro's mother, Flore Baugnies, is a big fan of Kravitz and said in an interview that was where Leny's name came from.
However, speaking to UK journalists before United's Premier League trip to Tottenham on Saturday, the man himself has set the record straight.
"No, that's not true," said Yoro. "She liked Lenny Kravitz but she didn't take his name. That's just storytelling for the media. She wanted something for them."
Image source, Getty ImagesNapoli could reignite interest in Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in January. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Leeds, Everton, Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the other clubs interested in Mainoo. (Caught Offside), external
Barcelona are planning to open formal talks with United over a permanent deal for forward Marcus Rashford. (Teamtalk), external
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund are keen to re-sign winger Jadon Sancho, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
