The Spurs head coach was speaking ahead of Saturday’s (02.07.26) trip to Old Trafford, with the London club trailing United by 12 points in the Premier League table despite navigating a congested domestic and European schedule.
Now, Frank has argued Spurs are not “on the same page” as United due to their commitments to the Champions League, and so comparisons between the two clubs are unwarrented.
Speaking at a press conference, Frank said: “It’s a nice context to say Manchester United don’t play European football. That’s a challenge. Let’s judge [the two clubs] when we’re on the same page.”
Tottenham - who sit 14th - last faced United in early November under former manager Ruben Amorim, when a late Matthijs de Ligt header salvaged a dramatic point for the hosts in north London.
Since then, the two clubs’ trajectories have diverged, with Amorim dismissed and Michael Carrick now overseeing a revival at United, while Spurs have persisted with Frank following his appointment last summer after Ange Postecoglou’s departure.
Tottenham’s campaign has been defined by inconsistency, with Champions League qualification for the round of 16 standing out as the main positive after the club ended a 17-year trophy drought by beating United in last season’s Europa League final in Bilbao.
However, League form has suffered, leaving Spurs closer to the relegation zone than the European places.
By contrast, United arrive in confident mood, as manager Michael Carrick has guided the Red Devils to three consecutive league wins - lifting them into fourth place and firmly into the Champions League qualification race.
This has left them one point above Chelsea in fifth and two clear of Liverpool in sixth.
Frank said of Carrick: “He’s had a great start, he’s injected a level of energy into the team. It looks like some of the players are in a good place.
“We know the threats from before from Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, [Matheus] Cunha and [Bruno] Fernandes has been keeping this team ticking, he’s done it for four and five years. It’s a challenge, but looking forward to it.”
Tottenham head north encouraged by last weekend’s comeback draw with Manchester City, recovering from two goals down to claim a point.
That match was followed by public criticism from captain Cristian Romero, who described the club’s January transfer business as “disgraceful” and claimed Spurs had “only 11 players available”.
Addressing the comments, Frank said: “It shows that Cuti is extremely passionate. He wants to win, do everything he can with his team-mates to achieve great things.
“Sometimes when you are like that, it can become an outburst. It is something we have of course dealt with, and dealt with internally.”
Frank confirmed Romero had not been disciplined for his remarks, but stressed his own stance was clear.
He said: “I wouldn’t have done it. That’s my message.”
