How Conor Gallagher can help Tottenham avoid 'damaging' loss vs Man United
Conor Gallagher could be Roberto De Zerbi's trump card as Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United on Saturday.
Spurs travel to Old Trafford on 10 October, with both managers under pressure after a poor start to the season.
The North London outfit are 20th in the Premier League, while the Red Devils sit 12th.
Tottenham are still searching for their first league win this season and face Man United next.
Goals have been hard to come by for the Lilywhites this season, having scored just two.
De Zerbi certainly needs to start trusting Gallagher more, starting with the Man United game, if he wants to avoid the sack.
Why Conor Gallagher should get Tottenham start vs Man United
Gallagher was expected to be key for De Zerbi after his pre-season performances, but he hasn't been one of the first names on the teamsheet.
The former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid ace has started just two of the North London outfit's five Premier League matches.
Gallagher has averaged 2.7 tackles, three ball recoveries and won five duels per game in three league appearances, as per Sofascore.
The most important aspect of the midfielder is his 78 per cent success rate in winning ground duels.
Spurs' best chance of beating Man United will likely come if they can keep Bruno Fernandes quiet, who has scored three goals, provided one assist and averaged 2.6 key passes per game, according to Sofascore.
The Portugal international is heavily involved in everything the Red Devils do, recording 83.6 touches per game, and Gallagher's engine may be needed to stifle and mark the playmaker.
Speaking about the English midfielder towards the end of last season, De Zerbi said, "When he plays well, we play with 12 players. He's amazing."
Can Roberto De Zerbi survive Spurs sack?
De Zerbi was heavily backed by Tottenham and fans alike after securing Premier League safety last season.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion boss has built quite a reputation over the years, but the Spurs job seems too big for him.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 9 October, Alan Pardew said, "When you're managing in the Premier League, you're trying not to focus too much on what has gone.
"But you can't help but look at the league table and understand the pressure you're coming under. And both managers, as we know, are under that pressure. And the big clubs are both underperforming.
"A defeat would be very damaging and give you a lot of work to do for the next game."
The Italian manager's 28.5 per cent win rate since taking over the North London outfit doesn't paint a good picture.
While the Lilywhites' hierarchy will want to give De Zerbi time after spending heavily on him in the summer, he can't keep dropping points.
If Tottenham can't get at least a couple of wins in the next five games, the Italian manager may be handed his P45.