Aaron Lennon makes ‘scary’ Europa League claim over ‘massively underachieving’ Tottenham and Manchester United
Aaron Lennon believes Tottenham’s clash against Manchester United could be a preview of the Europa League final. That’s despite both clubs ‘massively underachieving’ as they struggle in the Premier League. Postecoglou aims to complete a clean sweep over United in the league on SundayGetty The two floundering giants clash on Sunday afternoon in north London, with both sides in desperate need of a win. Since December 22, Tottenham and United have combined for three wins, two draws and an alarming 11 defeats from the last eight league fixtures. Prior to Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Brentford on February 2, they had not tasted victory in their last seven. However, the two teams have enjoyed much greater success in their Europa League endeavours. At the end of the league phase, United and Tottenham finished third and fourth respectively to avoid an extra two fixtures by way of the play-offs to qualify for the round of 16. It paints quite the contrasting picture for the two teams, which is why former Tottenham winger Lennon believes Sunday is such a tantalising fixture. However, despite the implications of a loss for either side, the former Tottenham winger refused to name it as ‘make or break’ for Ange Postecoglou or Ruben Amorim. “This game is massive for both clubs,” Lennon told talkSPORT.com. “Two teams that are massively underachieving. These are two teams everyone’s been laughing about all season. The performance levels have been nowhere near where they should be for these two football clubs. “These two are probably favourites to win the Europa League, which is scary. If they don’t draw each other, this could easily be the Europa League final. Tottenham and Manchester United’s Premier League results since December 22 TottenhamManchester UnitedTottenham 3-6 Liverpool (December 22)Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth (December 22)Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham (December 26)Wolves 2-0 Manchester United (December 26)Tottenham 2-2 Wolves (December 29)Manchester United 0-2 Newcastle (December 30)Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle (January 4)Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United (January 5)Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham (January 15)Manchester United 3-1 Southampton (January 16)Everton 3-2 Tottenham (January 19)Manchester United 1-3 Brighton (January 19)Tottenham 1-2 Leicester City (January 26)Fulham 0-1 Manchester United (January 26)Brentford 0-2 Tottenham (February 2)Manchester United 0-2 Crystal Palace (February 2) “I don’t think it’s make or break, I really don’t. But it’s a big game because both teams are not playing well and both teams badly need a win. “So it’s not make or break, but it would do wonders for Spurs to get a win.” Victory for Tottenham would mark the first time since September they have strung together consecutive league wins this season. Coincidentally one of those wins came against United, as Postecoglou’s side won 3-0 at Old Trafford on September 29 thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke. However, eight of the Tottenham players who started that match are either major doubts or certain to miss Sunday’s fixture. Postecoglou’s side also enter the contest on the back of damaging exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup against Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively. Tottenham are in desperate need of a morale-boosting winGetty In those matches, especially against Villa, the toll of playing midweek and on the weekend took its toll on a threadbare squad. Tottenham’s players looked evidently knackered and lethargic against a fresh Villa side, who constantly sliced the north London side open across all areas of the pitch. But thanks to no midweek match, it’s given Postecoglou and his players a vital breather and a chance for those injured players to step up their recovery. With a few days of much-needed rest, Lennon expects an improved and energetic performance from Tottenham. However, if they produce a similar display to that of the Villa match, the Australian boss will have ‘huge problems’ on his hand. “The last couple of games, I know the lads are tired and I know they’ve got injuries, but still, the manner has not been good enough,” Lennon said. “You never want to see it as a fan or ex-player. Even the Villa game, there was no real fight. “You can accept a team is better than you, Liverpool are better than Spurs, no doubt. But can you accept a team out-fighting you, out-running you? “So I think the manner of the performance is what we’re going to see. Do the lads look really up for it, are they going to battle, are they going to fight for this football club? “I think that’s more of what’s going to be the cause of bigger problems, if they just turn up and get beat. “I think that will cause huge problems for Postecoglou.”
Aaron Lennon believes Tottenham’s clash against Manchester United could be a preview of the Europa League final.
That’s despite both clubs ‘massively underachieving’ as they struggle in the Premier League.
The two floundering giants clash on Sunday afternoon in north London, with both sides in desperate need of a win.
Since December 22, Tottenham and United have combined for three wins, two draws and an alarming 11 defeats from the last eight league fixtures.
Prior to Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Brentford on February 2, they had not tasted victory in their last seven.
However, the two teams have enjoyed much greater success in their Europa League endeavours.
At the end of the league phase, United and Tottenham finished third and fourth respectively to avoid an extra two fixtures by way of the play-offs to qualify for the round of 16.
It paints quite the contrasting picture for the two teams, which is why former Tottenham winger Lennon believes Sunday is such a tantalising fixture.
However, despite the implications of a loss for either side, the former Tottenham winger refused to name it as ‘make or break’ for Ange Postecoglou or Ruben Amorim.
“This game is massive for both clubs,” Lennon told talkSPORT.com.
“Two teams that are massively underachieving. These are two teams everyone’s been laughing about all season. The performance levels have been nowhere near where they should be for these two football clubs.
“These two are probably favourites to win the Europa League, which is scary. If they don’t draw each other, this could easily be the Europa League final.
Tottenham and Manchester United’s Premier League results since December 22
| Tottenham | Manchester United |
| Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool (December 22) | Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth (December 22) |
| Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham (December 26) | Wolves 2-0 Manchester United (December 26) |
| Tottenham 2-2 Wolves (December 29) | Manchester United 0-2 Newcastle (December 30) |
| Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle (January 4) | Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United (January 5) |
| Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham (January 15) | Manchester United 3-1 Southampton (January 16) |
| Everton 3-2 Tottenham (January 19) | Manchester United 1-3 Brighton (January 19) |
| Tottenham 1-2 Leicester City (January 26) | Fulham 0-1 Manchester United (January 26) |
| Brentford 0-2 Tottenham (February 2) | Manchester United 0-2 Crystal Palace (February 2) |
“I don’t think it’s make or break, I really don’t. But it’s a big game because both teams are not playing well and both teams badly need a win.
“So it’s not make or break, but it would do wonders for Spurs to get a win.”
Victory for Tottenham would mark the first time since September they have strung together consecutive league wins this season.
Coincidentally one of those wins came against United, as Postecoglou’s side won 3-0 at Old Trafford on September 29 thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke.
However, eight of the Tottenham players who started that match are either major doubts or certain to miss Sunday’s fixture.
Postecoglou’s side also enter the contest on the back of damaging exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup against Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively.
In those matches, especially against Villa, the toll of playing midweek and on the weekend took its toll on a threadbare squad.
Tottenham’s players looked evidently knackered and lethargic against a fresh Villa side, who constantly sliced the north London side open across all areas of the pitch.
But thanks to no midweek match, it’s given Postecoglou and his players a vital breather and a chance for those injured players to step up their recovery.
With a few days of much-needed rest, Lennon expects an improved and energetic performance from Tottenham.
However, if they produce a similar display to that of the Villa match, the Australian boss will have ‘huge problems’ on his hand.
“The last couple of games, I know the lads are tired and I know they’ve got injuries, but still, the manner has not been good enough,” Lennon said.
“You never want to see it as a fan or ex-player. Even the Villa game, there was no real fight.
“You can accept a team is better than you, Liverpool are better than Spurs, no doubt. But can you accept a team out-fighting you, out-running you?
“So I think the manner of the performance is what we’re going to see. Do the lads look really up for it, are they going to battle, are they going to fight for this football club?
“I think that’s more of what’s going to be the cause of bigger problems, if they just turn up and get beat.
“I think that will cause huge problems for Postecoglou.”
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