It's been a bumpy old ride for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in recent times, with the two sides preparing to go head-to-head again on Saturday evening.

So much has changed since Spurs downed the Red Devils in Bilbao less than 18 months ago, not least in the dugout, with Roberto De Zerbi the third managerial appointment since Ange Postecoglou was sacked in the wake of that Europa League triumph.

As for United, Michael Carrick more than steadied the ship last season after Ruben Amorim's mid-season exit, yet the Englishman is now under pressure himself following a miserable start to the new campaign.

It's gearing up for a pivotal night for both clubs and for both managers too, with it seemingly a mixed bag on the injury front for both Carrick and De Zerbi.

Latest team news ahead of Spurs vs Man Utd

Starting with the hosts, the Old Trafford side haven't exactly enjoyed a fruitful international break, with Carrick confirming that Patrick Dorgu is facing a few weeks on the sidelines, after sustaining an injury on Denmark duty.

Versatile defender, Noussair Mazraoui, is also out of action due to a knock, while Benjamin Sesko is not set to feature either, amid the recurrence of his long-standing shin injury.

In more positive news, both Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo have featured in training, as has Amad Diallo, while £70m signing, Carlos Baleba, also appears to be in contention again.

As for Spurs, meanwhile, De Zerbi confirmed the news that despite suffering injury scares away with the Netherlands, the centre-back duo Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven are "available to play".

The Italian also confirmed that Dejan Kulusevski will be travelling with the squad in a supporting role as he steps up his recovery, although while James Maddison is available, the Englishman did suffer a setback across the last week or so.

Mykhailo Mudryk is also set to be absent for the foreseeable, but it is another injury blow that will be of real concern to Spurs, and a major positive for Man Utd.

Why Spurs injury blow could be good news for Man Utd

It's a tactical game these days, with rival managers set to try and exploit any area of weakness that they can find.

In the case of Spurs, there's no denying that, for all the inability to score, the backline has been a real concern, notably shipping three against both Brentford and Aston Villa.

That 3-2 defeat to Unai Emery's side before the break had notably seen Pedro Porro forced off inside 19 minutes, the Spaniard still seemingly suffering from his World Cup exploits.

It was revealed at the time that Porro had suffered a hamstring injury, although De Zerbi confirmed the severity of that issue on Friday afternoon, outlining that the 26-year-old isn't set to be a long-term absentee, but the trip to Manchester will come too soon for him.

That official confirmation of Porro's absence, after weeks of speculation, will represent a significant blow for De Zerbi and co, with the decision to sell Djed Spence this summer having perhaps come back to bite.

Indeed, there isn't an obvious deputy for the World Cup winner at right-back, ensuring that young Archie Gray will again have to slot into that role on Saturday.

The ex-Leeds United man did enjoy his first taste of first-team football at Elland Road in that role, yet his best work at Spurs has arguably come in his preferred central midfield role.

The 20-year-old notably struggled after replacing Porro against Villa, winning just 50% of his duels and having been dribbled past twice, as the north London side were undone time and again in behind.

Provided he is fit and raring to go himself, having sat out England duty, Marcus Rashford might be licking his lips at the prospect of facing off against a makeshift option like Gray down that flank.

With Sesko absent and Amad only edging his way back to fitness, Rashford is likely to retain his place in the starting lineup down his favoured left side.

It was in that role that he notably tortured Everton's Merlin Rohl last month, the midfielder turned full-back enduring a torrid time of it, twisted inside and out by the flying United man.

Rashford is still waiting for a first goal or assist this season, but that clash with the Toffees was arguably his best performance yet, completing three successful dribbles on the day, while providing one key pass.

Perhaps Saturday night will be the occasion for the 28-year-old to break his duck, with the absence of Porro potentially set to music to the ears of Carrick and United.