Tottenham Hotspur are optimistic about securing a fitness boost from two Dutch defenders ahead of their Premier League match at Manchester United on Saturday. Centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke, both of whom sustained injuries while on international duty with the Netherlands, are expected to be available for selection.

Van de Ven, 25, suffered a wrist injury during the Netherlands’ 2-1 Nations League win over Serbia on Sunday. However, Oranje manager Louis van Gaal described the injury as not serious, suggesting the defender should recover in time for the upcoming league fixture. Meanwhile, 26-year-old Van Hecke returned to Tottenham carrying a foot problem after the Dutch’s previous 2-1 victory over Serbia last month. Reports indicate that Van Hecke has participated in training sessions this week and is hopeful of making the trip to Old Trafford.

In a separate development, Manchester United are looking to strengthen their approach to tackling ticket touting, a longstanding issue that has recently affected matchday attendees. The club is recruiting for the role of “supporter escalations executive,” a specialist position designed to address complaints related to ticket reselling and to manage any appeals from supporters. This move follows a previous attempt to clamp down on touts that inadvertently impacted hundreds of legitimate fans, prompting the need for a more refined strategy.

The match between Manchester United and Tottenham is anticipated to be a key fixture in the Premier League schedule, with both sides eager to secure valuable points. The potential return of Van de Ven and Van Hecke will be a positive development for Tottenham’s defensive options as they prepare for the challenging away fixture. Meanwhile, United’s focus on improving fan experiences off the pitch signals a commitment to addressing supporter concerns alongside their on-field ambitions.