Tottenham Injury Update: Thomas Frank on Kolo Muani and Cristian Romero subs against Man Utd

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank provided an update on the fitness of striker Randal Kolo Muani and centre-back Cristian Romero following substitutions against Manchester United.

Spurs picked up a point against the Red Devils but took a long time to get going once again in front of a home crowd in the Premier League. Frank turned to his bench for inspiration and found it with Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert playing a vital role in the turnaround.

Kolo Muani, who is on loan at Spurs from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain this season, started his third Premier League match in a row but was taken off at half time, Odobert coming on in his place.

Thomas Frank explains Muani and Romero substitutions

The forward had missed four fixtures this term following his move to London as he nursed a dead leg and his early departure against Manchester United prompted injury fears. Frank was coy when asked about that after the match but appeared to suggest that the forward could still be managing a problem. He said: “He struggled a little bit, but nothing big.”

Meanwhile, Romero is another player who has been sidelined for periods this term with an injury. The 27-year-old missed out against Aston Villa and Everton last month with an abductor injury before returning against Chelsea last weekend.

Romero came off with 88 minutes on the clock - a rarity given that he had played 90 minutes in every league match before his injury. After the match, Frank confirmed that his substitution was not an injury concern. He said: “He just came back from that injury. He’s fine.”

The defender was then not on the pitch when Manchester United scored their second goal in the 96th minute, that De Ligt header coming from a set piece. When asked if having Romero on the pitch might have helped to keep that out, Frank said: “His position he wouldn’t have been near the goal anyway.”

Peter Crouch praises Tottenham boss for changes

Frank was booed by Tottenham Hotspur supporters for one substitution in particular, taking off the influential Xavi Simons in favour of Mathys Tel. It was, however, the Frenchman who went on to fire home and bring his side back into the game.

Speaking on TNT Sports, former Premier League striker Peter Crouch said: “The fans weren’t happy. They hadn’t created much but once he [Tel] came on, and Odobert and Udogie as well, that left side was completely transformed. They created loads of opportunities. I just thought that left hand side, there was a little bit more positivity and energy getting at Manchester United.”

Fellow pundit and ex Premier League midfielder Owen Hargreaves added: “[There was] a hell of a lot more urgency. Odobert especially, when he was facing Amad he definitely had the beating of him. You have to say it’s a great finish, took a slight nick but the first touch sets it up. Has a swipe at it and the touch from De Ligt takes it past the goalkeeper.”

In other news, Tottenham Player Ratings: 'Absolute gamechanger' 10/10 but 'unconvincing' 4 as Man Utd beaten.