Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has called on his players to deliver an immediate response as the club head to Old Trafford on Saturday for a crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester United.

The visit to Manchester comes at a fraught moment for Spurs, who have claimed just one victory in their opening five league fixtures and suffered an early League Cup elimination at the hands of Liverpool. De Zerbi's side sit bottom of the table and are desperate to register their first top-flight win of the campaign.

Frustration after the Villa defeat

De Zerbi made clear he has been eager to return to action ever since a 3-2 home loss to Aston Villa — right before the international break — left a bitter mark on his squad. The Italian described the weeks away from competitive football as particularly draining.