---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: Japhet Tanganga ruled out of Man United clash with stress fracture in his back"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-japhet-tanganga-injury-news-man-united-mourinho/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Ward"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2020-06-16T07:30:52Z"
modified: "2020-06-16T07:30:52Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: Japhet Tanganga ruled out of Man United clash with stress fracture in his back

**Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has been handed another major blow after [Japhet Tanganga](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/japhet-tanganga-profile/) was ruled out of the Premier League clash with Manchester United.**

According to an exclusive from [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/06/15/exclusive-japhet-tanganga-ruled-tottenhams-restart-stress-fracture/), Tanganga has sustained a stress fracture to his back and he will miss the match against the Red Devils as a result.

Last week, [BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53007456) revealed that Spurs star [Dele Alli](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/tottenham-dele-alli-banned-man-united-coronavirus-post/?utm_source=snack-poll) has been banned for the game against Mourinho’s old club following a post on social media about [coronavirus](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/tottenham-dele-alli-banned-man-united-coronavirus-post/?utm_source=snack-poll). As it stands, this latest development spells further bad news for Mourinho.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

It is fair to say that Tanganga has been one of the very few [success stories](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/players/japhet-tanganga-decision-jose-mourinho-18302182) in an otherwise difficult period for the Lilywhites. After impressing the manager in [his debut against league leaders Liverpool](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/players/japhet-tanganga-decision-jose-mourinho-18302182), he has been deployed in a number of different positions across the back.

Having been handed his competitive debut by former boss Mauricio Pochettino in [the Carabao Cup](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/players/japhet-tanganga-decision-jose-mourinho-18302182), the 21-year-old has played six games in the Premier League so far, making 2.8 tackles per game, averaging 1.8 interceptions and completing a staggering 4.8 clearances per game on average (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/384063/Show/Japhet-Tanganga)).

[\[freshpress-poll id=”304353″\]](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/[freshpress-poll%20id=%22304353%22])

[Alasdair Gold](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/players/japhet-tanganga-decision-jose-mourinho-18302182) recently revealed that he is now part of the club’s plans for the future, despite the fact he was only given a [one-year-deal](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/players/japhet-tanganga-decision-jose-mourinho-18302182) last summer. Indeed, Spurs have reportedly activated an option in that agreement to keep him in north London for at least [another year](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/players/japhet-tanganga-decision-jose-mourinho-18302182).

Nevertheless, he suffered [an injury](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/06/15/exclusive-japhet-tanganga-ruled-tottenhams-restart-stress-fracture/) during training ahead of the Premier League’s return next week, at a time when Mourinho arguably needs him the most.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Mourinho has been plagued by [persistent injury setbacks](https://dugout.com/spurs/mourinho-tottenham-plagued-by-injuries-and-poor-match-scheduling), with [Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Moussa Sissoko and Steven Bergwijn](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/11995016/jose-mourinho-harry-kane-heung-min-son-and-all-tottenham-players-recovered-from-injury) all missing a large chunk of the season so far.

At the moment, the Lilywhites sit in eighth in the [table](https://www.premierleague.com/tables), four points behind his former club Manchester United, who are now managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Spurs have lost the [last two meetings](https://www.premierleague.com/match/46902) between the teams, which could be playing on Mourinho’s mind, as they must win on Friday to keep their chances of a [top four](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11837839/dele-alli-banned-fined-video-coronavirus/) finish alive.

Adding insult to injury, Tanganga will be unable to play and the manager may be forced to use Jan Vertonghen instead. The [wantaway veteran](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1289271/Tottenham-news-Jan-Vertonghen-transfer-exit-contract-talks-Jose-Mourinho-Premier-League) has fallen out of favour with the head coach in recent months and Mourinho may have to swallow his pride just weeks after calling off talks with [Vertonghen’s representatives](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1289271/Tottenham-news-Jan-Vertonghen-transfer-exit-contract-talks-Jose-Mourinho-Premier-League).

Although it can’t be helped, the Englishman’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the club as they enter the crunch stage of the competition.

***Tottenham fans, do you think Tanganga will be sorely missed against Man United? Let us know in the comments below!***