Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle has warned his former side that they will need to up their game against Manchester United at the weekend.
Spurs got their Europa League campaign off to a winning start on Thursday night as they defeated Qarabag, despite having 10 men for almost the whole game after Radun Dragusin’s early red card.
Dominic Solanke, Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson were all on the scoresheet for Ange Postecoglou’s side, with the Australian once again sticking to his attacking principles when a man down.
But they also had to rely on goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on more than one occasion, while Toral Bayramov skied a penalty when the score was 2-0.
And Hoddle, speaking on TNT Sports’ coverage of the game, has insisted that Tuesday night’s winners will have to be a lot better to keep United out when they do battle on Sunday.
Ange Postecoglou has been warned that his Tottenham side must improve to get a result against Manchester United
Spurs got ‘lucky’ against Qarabag, according to Glenn Hoddle, as they started their Europa League campaign with a win
Hoddle insiste that Spurs won’t get away with conceding so many chances when they travel to Old Trafford
‘The issue is defensively,’ Hoddle began. ‘They know what they’re doing with the ball.
‘Everyone wants the energy about Tottenham when they’re in possession of the ball, movement off the ball. But I think defensively, if you give that many chances to a really good side, you’re going to get punished.
‘You can’t go through a game conceding so many chances and not expect teams to score. They got lucky a little bit today with a clean sheet that doesn’t tell the true story. I think if they just tighten up a little – they’re going have to be a bit tighter Old Trafford for sure.
‘That’s gonna be a bit of a ding dong game. I’m looking at 2-2, 3-2 to Tottenham, hopefully.’
Spurs will go into the game after what has been an indifferent start to the season. They have seven points from five games in the Premier League, crept through in the Carabao Cup and were comfortable on Thursday.
Just four teams in the top flight have a better defensive record when it comes to goals conceded but Spurs often gives teams chances and Hoddle is of the opinion that that must be limited at Old Trafford.
Qarabag, who are the Azerbaijan champions, had 14 shots in the match and five were on target.
Postegoclou will take inspiration from knowing his side were a man light and without chief centre back Cristian Romero due to suspension.
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