De Zerbi demands Tottenham response at Manchester United

Roberto De Zerbi has urged bottom-of-the-table Tottenham to respond to their poor start when they visit Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. Spurs are still seeking their first Premier League victory of the season after losing three of their opening five matches.

The trip follows a 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa in Tottenham’s last match before the international break. Speaking to reporters on Friday, De Zerbi said he had been eager for another chance to play after that result.

“I’ve been waiting for this game from three weeks. After the defeat at home against Aston Villa, personally I wanted to play the day after,” he said. “It was difficult, it was very tough, especially the first week. But it is football. It is part of the situation in this moment. We have to react, to work in this moment.”

Goals remain a problem

Tottenham failed to score in their first four league games before finding the net twice against Villa. They have also exited the League Cup against Liverpool, adding to the pressure on De Zerbi as he tries to improve results.

The Spurs manager said his side have created chances but have not made enough of them. “We created chances to score many other goals in these seven games but we didn’t. We are working to improve in the last third, the assists and the finishing,” he said.

De Zerbi pointed to Tottenham’s ability to get forward as a sign that their attacking play can improve. He said they rank fourth for bringing the ball into opponents’ areas, but acknowledged that reaching those positions has not been enough.

“It is nothing but it shows we can arrive in the area. We are not good enough to score goals so far when we have clear chances,” he said.

Pressure on both managers

United manager Michael Carrick is also under pressure after his side’s poor start. That gives Saturday’s meeting added significance for two clubs looking for better results.

De Zerbi steered Tottenham clear of relegation after arriving late last season, but the club’s current position has put him under scrutiny again. He said they must play better and get different results to deserve to work at the club.

“We are Tottenham. United and Tottenham are still big clubs in the Premier League,” he said. “We have to deserve to work in this club, playing better and making different results.”