Tottenham predicted XI vs Man Utd: Gray replaces injured Porro at right back

Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United at Old Trafford today at 17:30 local time on matchday six, with Archie Gray expected to replace the injured Pedro Porro at right back. Spurs have no wins in their first five Premier League outings and are bottom of the table, while United host.

  • Fixture: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, matchday six
  • Venue and kick-off: Old Trafford, 17:30 local time
  • Spurs' position: Bottom of the table with no wins in five league games
  • Headline selection: Archie Gray replaces Pedro Porro, who is out with a hamstring problem
  • Injury returns: Micky van de Ven (wrist) and Jan Paul van Hecke (foot) are expected to start in central defence
  • What's at stake: Tottenham's first Premier League win of the 2026/27 season

Predicted line-ups

Tottenham Hotspur (predicted XI)

Starting XI: Goalkeeper: Antonin Kinsky; Defenders: Archie Gray, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson; Midfielders: Rodrigo Bentancur, Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes; Forwards: Savio, Omar Marmoush, Dominic Solanke.

Substitutes: Not disclosed in the source article.

Manchester United (predicted XI)

Starting XI: Not disclosed in the source article. The source article does not include a predicted Manchester United line-up.

Selection notes

Pedro Porro misses out with a hamstring problem, so 20-year-old Archie Gray is expected to replace him at right back. Andy Robertson may continue on the left side of the back four.

In central defence, Micky van de Ven suffered a wrist injury in the international break but is expected to be fit, while Jan Paul van Hecke has returned to training after a bruised foot. The pair are expected to start.

In goal, Antonin Kinsky has been the primary option lately and is the favourite to play. In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur and Sandro Tonali are likely to continue as the double pivot, with Mateus Fernandes as the attacking midfielder. James Maddison is still nearing optimal fitness and is not expected to start.

On the flanks, Savio could play on the right wing ahead of Mohammad Kudus, and Omar Marmoush may keep his place on the left. Dominic Solanke is expected to start as the lone striker.

Injury and availability

  • Micky van de Ven – wrist injury sustained during the international break; expected to be fit to face United.
  • Jan Paul van Hecke – bruised foot; has returned to training and is expected to start.
  • Pedro Porro – hamstring problem; misses out, with Archie Gray expected to replace him.
  • James Maddison – still nearing optimal fitness; not expected to start.

Why De Zerbi sticks with his midfield pair

Rodrigo Bentancur and Sandro Tonali have been deployed as a double pivot lately, and De Zerbi appears set to keep that partnership intact at Old Trafford. The pair provide a platform for Mateus Fernandes to operate as the attacking midfielder, with James Maddison not yet at optimal fitness.

The big change comes at right back, where Archie Gray steps in for the injured Pedro Porro. Gray, 20, offers a different profile – likely more conservative in possession than Porro – which could alter how Spurs build down the right. Savio ahead of him may need to hold width more often without Porro's overlapping runs.

In central defence, the returns of Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke matter enormously for a side that is bottom of the table. Van de Ven's recovery from a wrist problem and Van Hecke's return to training after a bruised foot give De Zerbi his preferred centre-back pairing. That stability is crucial against a Manchester United side that will look to press high at Old Trafford.

Up front, Dominic Solanke continues as the lone striker, supported by Savio on the right and Omar Marmoush on the left. With no league wins in five and a goal-shy start to the season – only two late strikes against Aston Villa in a 3-2 defeat – Spurs need their front three to be more clinical in Manchester.

Talking points

  • Can Archie Gray handle the right-back role against United's attack, or is Porro's absence too big a loss for a winless side?
  • Is sticking with Bentancur and Tonali as a double pivot the right call when Spurs desperately need creativity from midfield?
  • Should James Maddison be risked from the start at Old Trafford, even if he is not yet at optimal fitness?
  • With Savio ahead of Kudus on the right, does De Zerbi have the balance right between defensive solidity and attacking threat?

What happens next

Tottenham's match at Old Trafford kicks off at 17:30 local time today. A first Premier League win of the season would lift Spurs off the bottom of the table and ease the pressure on Roberto De Zerbi. Defeat would leave them without a victory after six matches, heading into a crucial run of fixtures.

Frequently asked questions

Is Archie Gray starting for Tottenham vs Manchester United?

Yes, Archie Gray is expected to replace the injured Pedro Porro at right back in Tottenham's predicted XI against Manchester United.

Why is Pedro Porro not playing for Tottenham against Man Utd?

Pedro Porro misses out with a hamstring problem, which is why Archie Gray is expected to come into the side at right back.

What time is Manchester United vs Tottenham kick-off?

The match at Old Trafford kicks off at 17:30 local time today (matchday six of the Premier League season).

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