A surprising incident at Tottenham`s training ground has sparked a humorous conspiracy theory among Manchester United supporters.
Manchester United and Spurs are set to face each other in the Europa League final on May 21st. Both clubs are eager to win the trophy and secure a spot in next season`s Champions League.
Red Devils fans quickly started engaging in some playful mind games after a video clip from Tottenham`s training session appeared online, showing Ange Postecoglou`s squad preparing for the upcoming final.
The short video rapidly went viral because it showed former Manchester United loanee Sergio Reguilon accidentally taking down teammate Brennan Johnson with a rather clumsy sliding tackle.
Johnson, 23, who has contributed 11 goals and five assists in 31 Premier League appearances, was clearly in pain after the ill-timed challenge and needed a moment to recover.
Fortunately for Spurs, the Wales international was able to rejoin training shortly after.
Reguilon, 28, showed no sign of malicious intent; it appeared he simply lost his footing.
However, this didn`t prevent United supporters from flocking to social media to joke that the full-back has remained loyal to his former club in anticipation of the final.
One fan posted: “Once a red….”
Another commented: “Agent Regi.”
A third wrote: “My guy!”
Another fan quipped: “United legend Sergio Reguilon.”
And one joke suggested: “Undercover agent for Man United since his loan move.”
Postecoglou was seen grimacing at the challenge, particularly given the team`s injury-plagued season.
His concern about further injuries means there`s no chance he`ll repeat the unusual motivational tactics employed by his predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, before a major final.
Pochettino famously had his Spurs players walk over hot coals and run with arrows pointed at their throats as a motivational exercise before they faced Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.
While Postecoglou faces his own European showpiece against United, the Australian manager is prioritising using the preparation time to avoid any further selection headaches.
Spurs will be without James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, and Radu Dragusin for the final.
Injury Concerns Mount
Furthermore, they are concerned about the fitness of Dejan Kulusevski, who limped off early in Sunday`s 2-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace.
When asked if he would replicate any of Pochettino`s unorthodox methods to motivate his players, Postecoglou responded: “We’ve got enough injuries! I’ll be wrapping them in cotton wool for the next ten days.”
“Seriously, with how things have gone this year, any extracurricular activities will be minimal. I don’t know if you saw training today, but we had Reggie tackle Brennan, and they`re on the same team. That shows how we`re doing!”
Postecoglou Prioritizes Caution
“You want to protect the integrity of training, and you have to train at a certain level,” he said. “There are the quirks, things that just happen. Thankfully, nothing too serious [from the tackle].
“You`ve just got to hope and pray that the football gods have run out of challenges to throw our way this year.”
Reguilon initially joined Tottenham from Real Madrid in 2020 but never truly settled.
This led to loan spells at Atletico Madrid, Brentford, and, famously, Manchester United.
The Spain international moved to Old Trafford in September 2023 as emergency left-back cover following injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
However, Reguilon`s time at Old Trafford lasted only four months before he returned to Tottenham, who then sent him on loan to Brentford just two weeks later.
The defender made a mere 12 appearances during his brief spell with United.
This is only seven more appearances than he has managed all season for Tottenham, where he has fallen out of favour under manager Ange Postecoglou.
