Forget Romero — one Spurs player is quickly emerging as Thomas Frank’s biggest liability.
Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-0 defeat away to Manchester United extended their winless run in the Premier League to seven matches, further increasing the pressure on head coach Thomas Frank.
The Danish manager has not recorded a league victory since 28 December, with Spurs slipping dangerously close to the relegation zone. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes sealed all three points for Manchester United, leaving the Lilywhites just six points above the drop.
The result is likely to intensify criticism of Frank, who has struggled to meet expectations following his summer move from Brentford. While the manager remains under scrutiny, the actions of certain players have compounded Tottenham’s difficulties, with a lack of leadership on the pitch proving costly.
Cristian Romero’s difficult afternoon at Old Trafford
Following his appointment, Frank named centre-back Cristian Romero as club captain after Heung-min Son’s departure from North London. The Argentine has been a regular presence when available, though his season has again been disrupted by disciplinary issues.
Romero had already been sent off in December’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool after receiving a second yellow card for kicking out following a challenge by Ibrahima Konaté. At Old Trafford, the 27-year-old picked up his second red card of the campaign for a late challenge on Casemiro.
As a result, Tottenham were forced to play more than an hour with ten men, a setback that heavily influenced the outcome of the match. Romero is now set to miss the next four league fixtures against Newcastle, Fulham, Arsenal and Crystal Palace, forcing Frank to reshuffle his defensive options.
Injury concerns deepen Tottenham’s problems
Since joining Spurs in 2021, Romero has accumulated six red cards, the highest tally among the club’s senior players. His suspensions have added further strain to an already stretched squad, with Tottenham currently dealing with an extensive injury list.
That situation worsened at Old Trafford when Destiny Udogie was forced off after 55 minutes with what appeared to be another hamstring issue. The Italian full-back had only recently returned from injury, making just his fifth appearance since his previous setback.
Udogie has started only eight Premier League matches this season, playing a total of 797 minutes. Since arriving at the club in 2023, he has suffered eight separate injuries, missing 38 matches across all competitions.
Before his substitution against Manchester United, Udogie won just one tackle and committed a foul, struggling to impose himself on the game. His performance earned a 6/10 rating from Football London journalist Alasdair Gold, who also highlighted his ongoing fitness concerns.
With Romero suspended and Udogie sidelined once again, Tottenham’s defensive issues continue to mount, further complicating Frank’s task as Spurs search for stability during a difficult period in their campaign.
