Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists Harry Kane's absence does not make Manchester United clash unwinnable: 'I believe in the collective'
- Harry Kane has a hamstring injury and will not play against Manchester United
- The news comes as a huge blow to Tottenham's hopes of winning the title
- However, Mauricio Pochettino believes the 'collective' can still earn victory
Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham can triumph at Manchester United even without talisman and leading scorer Harry Kane.
The Spurs striker has been suffering with a hamstring injury and, as reported by Sportsmail on Friday, was a doubt for today's lunchtime Old Trafford showdown.
Pochettino confirmed his star striker will sit out the clash against Jose Mourinho's side. The news comes as a huge blow to Tottenham as they look to underline their credentials in the title race.
Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham can triumph at Manchester United without Harry Kane
Kane suffered the injury towards the end of Spurs' 4-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday
Pochettino confirmed his star striker will sit out the clash against Jose Mourinho's side
But the Spurs boss said: 'Of course we can win without Harry, I always believe we can win with one or another team, with one or another player.'
In confirming Kane's would be unavailable, Pochettino added: 'We cannot take a risk. It's a minor injury, very small, but we cannot take a risk. We'll see for Real Madrid on Wednesday.
'It's a blow because you always want all the players available. It's a problem. But we always believe in collective, the squad.
'I told the players they are not machines and it's so difficult to cope with international duty and to play every three days. It's lucky it's not a big problem.'
Pochettino, meanwhile, insists there is no rift between himself and opposite number Mourinho
Pochettino, meanwhile, insists there is no rift between himself and opposite number Mourinho despite implying in his new book that the United boss had tapped up Eric Dier.
'It's a thing that is in the past and I was honest in the book,' said Pochettino. 'My relationship with him is very good, we're in contact. That is only describing one small situation. There's nothing wrong, I only describe a situation in the past. It's not an issue.
'I texted him in the summer when, as you know, his dad passed away and for different circumstances I called him. I'm very grateful to him. When I was young at the start of my career at Espanyol he invited me to meet him at Real Madrid.'
Pochettino also insisted there are no trust issues with his squad after disclosing private conversations with his players, namely Kyle Walker, who joined Manchester City, and Dier.
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