Postecoglou Addresses Carabao Cup, Player Updates, and Yang Min-hyeok’s Arrival

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou addressed the media in advance of Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Manchester United, scheduled for a 20:00 GMT kick-off. The following are the main points from his press conference: Defender Destiny Udogie is “still a bit sore” but might play, having been substituted in the previous game. He is not injured but requires reassessment due to the rapid succession of matches. Postecoglou further stated: “The next cabs off rank for us will be Mikey [Moore], Ben [Davies] potentially next week, and then Richarlison maybe in the first week of the new year.” Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are “still chugging along” with their injury recovery and are anticipated to be back in the new year. He noted that it is “good to have an option” in midfield with Lucas Bergvall and Yves Bissouma, who has returned from suspension. Postecoglou commented: “Lucas did very well the other night, and the past two or three games he has played for us. He showed real maturity, discipline and quality. At the same time, it was his first start in a while so we will have to see how he has recovered.” Regarding being two rounds from a Carabao Cup final at Wembley, he stated: “I don’t think quarter-finals is close. If you get to a final, then you are close. There is still a fair bit of football to play, so all we can do is be ready.” He acknowledged that Manchester United have “done well in cup competitions over the past couple of years”, but emphasized that Tottenham’s home advantage and fan support should provide “enough motivation” to reach the semi-finals. He further commented: “I want to win and I want to play well – I don’t think that’s anything new. We will go out there and try to play our football. If we do then we will be hard to stop, as we have been this year.” Postecoglou observed that Ruben Amorim has made “an impact straight away” since becoming United’s head coach. Amorim has “tweaked the formation a little bit” and has been “giving different players an opportunity”, leading Postecoglou to anticipate the Red Devils will remain “a very tough competitor still”. He expressed “no interest” in Marcus Rashford’s recent comments regarding his future at Old Trafford, adding: “He is a very good player. They have got plenty of good players, but I manage my own players. I have no real desire to examine his situation any further.” Addressing the chants directed at Tottenham’s board during the 5-0 victory against Southampton, he stated: “That’s for the supporters. They have the right to express whatever they need to express, but hopefully they got to enjoy the performance.” Yang Min-hyeok has been at the club and met Postecoglou in recent days, ahead of his official arrival at Spurs on 1 January. Postecoglou remarked: “He has been having a good look around. He isn’t training with us, but I always feel it’s good to allow players to settle in, especially off field.” The 18-year-old South Korea winger has also commenced English lessons since his arrival in London.