‘Spurs can thrive without Kane’

AFP, LONDON: Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said on Friday his high-flying side do not need to prove they can win without Harry Kane as they head to Manchester United without the injured forward.

Kane has already hit 13 goals for Spurs this season but was forced off late on in last weekend's 4-1 win over Liverpool with a hamstring issue.

The 24-year-old will not feature against United as Tottenham look to address a recent poor record at Old Trafford and leapfrog Jose Mourinho's side in the Premier League table.

Pochettino said he was not willing to take a risk by involving Kane, who hit a brace against Liverpool before his late injury, with other big games on the horizon.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently labelled Tottenham as "the Harry Kane team" but Pochettino pointed to last term, when Spurs coped without Kane as he nursed an ankle injury, as proof they can be successful without their talisman.

“We don't need to prove ourselves, that we're Tottenham,” said Pochettino, whose side lie third in the Premier League table with 20 points, trailing United only on goal difference. “Maybe people expect that but for us, no. I think last season, in the period he was injured, you can see the stats and the games we played -- win and lose with Harry, win and lose without Harry.

Spurs can thrive without Kane

AFP, LONDON: Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said on Friday his high-flying side do not need to prove they can win without Harry Kane as they head to Manchester United without the injured forward. Kane has already hit 13 goals for Spurs this season but was forced off late on in last weekends 4-1 win over Liverpool with a hamstring issue. The 24-year-old will not feature against United as Tottenham look to address a recent poor record at Old Trafford and leapfrog Jose Mourinhos side in the Premier League table. Pochettino said he was not willing to take a risk by involving Kane, who hit a brace against Liverpool before his late injury, with other big games on the horizon. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently labelled Tottenham as the Harry Kane team but Pochettino pointed to last term, when Spurs coped without Kane as he nursed an ankle injury, as proof they can be successful without their talisman. We dont need to prove ourselves, that were Tottenham, said Pochettino, whose side lie third in the Premier League table with 20 points, trailing United only on goal difference. Maybe people expect that but for us, no. I think last season, in the period he was injured, you can see the stats and the games we played -- win and lose with Harry, win and lose without Harry.