Harry Kane picked up an injury against Liverpool at Wembley last weekend. Photo: AFP
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https://scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2117468/spurs-boss-mauricio-pochettino-holds-out-real-madrid-hope-harry-kane Football
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino holds out Real Madrid hope for Harry Kane
Tottenham will assess star striker over the new few days ahead of crunch Champions League tie at Wembley
Mauricio Pochettino says Spurs did not deserve to lose. Photo: EPA
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino believes there’s still a chance of leading scorer Harry Kane playing against holders Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
England striker Kane has scored 13 Premier League goals this season and has hit five in Europe against Borussia Dortmund and Apoel Nicosia.
Kane, however, missed Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat by Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford with a hamstring problem suffered against Liverpool the previous weekend, with the injury also sidelining him from Spurs’ midweek League Cup loss to West Ham.
“We will see in the next few days if he can arrive to be at the right level to play against Real Madrid,” said Pochettino. “We will need to assess him and then make a decision.”
Pochettino’s side missed the chance to go second in the Premier League ahead of United.
“You’re always going to miss your main striker and Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world, of course,” said Pochettino.
“But that is not an excuse for today. We did not lose this game because Harry Kane was not here.”
The Argentinian added: “Football is a collective sport and you always have to adapt when someone is not fit to play. I was happy with everyone’s performance and I think we deserved more than zero points.”
United’s slender victory maintained the club’s 100 per cent start to the season at Old Trafford and they have yet to concede a goal at home this campaign.
Anthony Martial scores the winner late on for Manchester United against Spurs. Photo: AP
United also got back to winning ways in the Premier League following their dire 2-1 loss away to Huddersfield last weekend that left Jose Mourinho bemoaning his side’s attitude.
But he was much happier after United stretched their lead over title rivals Spurs to three points thanks to super sub Anthony Martial’s 81st-minute goal.
Some United fans at Old Trafford were unhappy that Mourinho brought off Marcus Rashford in the 70th minute. They booed the decision but Mourinho’s choice was vindicated 11 minutes later with Martial’s winner.
Mourinho put his finger against his lips in a gesture at the final whistle that appeared to be aimed at those fans.
“Calm down, relax a little bit. Speak, speak, speak – don’t be so nervous, relax,” Mourinho said when explaining what he had meant by his action.