Spurs Duo Avoids Serious Injury Ahead of United Trip
Tottenham have received encouraging news on Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke, with both defenders reportedly avoiding serious long-term injuries after problems on Netherlands duty. Neither has been confirmed fit to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, however, and their availability depends on how they recover before the weekend.
The update offers relief, not a team-sheet guarantee. Van Hecke’s injury situation remains subject to assessment, as does Van de Ven’s readiness after he was forced off against Serbia.
Minor injuries, with fitness still uncertain
CaughtOffside, citing VI journalist Joost Blaauwhof, reported that the damage to both players was minor. Van de Ven left the Netherlands’ 2-1 Nations League win over Serbia after Luka Jović landed on his hand and arm. Netherlands coach Xavi Simons played down the severity after the match, but that is not the same as confirming the defender can start for Spurs.
Van Hecke withdrew from the Dutch camp with a foot problem after the Serbia match and returned to London for evaluation by Tottenham’s medical staff. The report says his injury is also minor. He was forced to leave the squad, but the available information does not establish that he has completed his recovery or been cleared for the United fixture.
Van de Ven’s fitness has already featured in recent Tottenham team news, making another assessment an unwelcome but familiar part of the build-up. The club’s injury-management process will matter now; optimism about the prognosis should not be mistaken for a confirmed selection decision.
Tottenham still need their final checks
The timing matters. Tottenham have gone through their opening five Premier League matches without a win and are bottom of the table, according to the CaughtOffside report. Losing both of their primary defensive pair would leave Roberto De Zerbi with a significant problem before a demanding trip to Old Trafford.
If either defender is available, that concern eases. If both can return, Tottenham would have more of their first-choice defensive options, but the report only says they remain in contention depending on the speed of their recovery. It does not confirm that either is fit to start.
The next meaningful step is the final medical and training assessment before the match. Until then, the distinction is straightforward: both have avoided the long lay-offs feared after their international injuries, but Tottenham still do not know whether either will be ready for Manchester United.
