Hugo Lloris misses out on Tottenham’s curtain raiser at Old Trafford having not fully recovered from a fractured wrist.
Michel Vorm deputises while Jan Vertonghen takes over captain’s duties. Vorm came in for a bit of criticism after Spurs’ 2-0 friendly defeat to Real Madrid, but it was only pre-season and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
Danny Rose is absent through injury, which is a real shame given his excellent campaign last year, so Ben Davies comes in at left back.
The other notable selection is Eric Dier at centre midfield. The club is yet to sign a dedicated holding midfielder, so the young defender has been given the responsibility to partner Nabil Bentaleb.
Here’s how Twitter reacted the to the team news…
Danny Rose picked up a knock in training yesterday. Lloris fit enough for the bench. Alli also on the bench, along with Mason. #THFC #COYS
— Chris Miller (@WindyCOYS) August 8, 2015
And then we select Vorm and I come crashing back down to earth again
— Adam Flanagan (@therealflannerz) August 8, 2015
Everybody keep calm, Vorm is a good goalk…WHO AM I KIDDING WE ARE DOOMED
— Billie (@Billie_T) August 8, 2015
I picked Rose for my Fantasy Football side. Great start!
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) August 8, 2015
Danny Rose not even on the bench, Hugo Lloris on the bench,no striker on the bench and Eric Dier in midfield! This is going to be hard #COYS
— Harry Charalambous⚽️ (@TransitionTHFC) August 8, 2015
#thfc Interesting Lloris is deemed to be ok for the bench but not to start. Not the ideal situation in goal, at left-back or centre midfield
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) August 8, 2015
Of all defenders to feature in 10+ PL games last season, only three others made a tackle more frequently than Rose (2.66 per 90 minutes).
— Spurs Stat Man (@SpursStatMan) August 8, 2015
Concerns:
1) Danny Rose – when did this injury happen, how long is he out for?
2) Dier in DM – hasn't worked well so far in pre-season…
— Tom Edwards (@tomedwards) August 8, 2015
Davies Vorm and then Dier in midfield, gonna be a long old season ?
— Thomas Warnèr (@Thomas5Warner) August 8, 2015
.. And there was us happy that De Gea wasn't playing.. I do like Vorm but he makes me nervous. Probably cos he comes across nervous himself?
— Sam Ramm (@SamRamm) August 8, 2015
Class is permanent, Vorm is temporary.
— Steven. (@StevenLDN) August 8, 2015