A bizarre moment during Tottenham`s training session has ignited a humorous conspiracy theory among Manchester United supporters.
United and Spurs are set to clash in the Europa League final on May 21, with both teams eager to secure a trophy and qualification for next season`s Champions League.
And the Red Devils faithful started playing mind games after a Tottenham training clip appeared on social media, showing Ange Postecoglou`s players preparing for the crucial game.
The short video quickly gained traction online, featuring former Man Utd loanee Sergio Reguilon unintentionally taking down his teammate Brennan Johnson with an awkward sliding tackle.
Johnson, aged 23, who has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 31 Premier League matches, was clearly in discomfort after the poorly timed challenge and needed a moment to recover.
Fortunately for Spurs, the Welsh international was able to rejoin training shortly thereafter.
And there was no sign that Reguilon, 28, acted deliberately; it appeared he simply lost his footing.
Nonetheless, this didn`t prevent United supporters from joking on social media that the defender`s loyalty still lies with their club ahead of the final match.
One fan wrote: “Once a red….”
Another commented: “Agent Regi.”
A third wrote: “My guy!”
This fan said: “United legend Sergio Reguilon.”
And another joked: “Undercover agent for Man United since his loan move.”
Postecoglou winced upon seeing the challenge, given his team`s season has been hampered by injuries.
And this fear of further injury troubles means he is highly unlikely to replicate the quirky motivational tactics used by his predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, before the Europa League final.
Pochettino famously had his Spurs players walk over hot coals and run with arrows pointing at their throats as a motivational exercise before they faced Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final, a match they ultimately lost 2-0.
Postecoglou faces his own major European final against United, but the Australian manager will instead use the preparation time focusing on preventing further selection issues.
Spurs are confirmed to be without James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, and Radu Dragusin for the final.
More Injury Woes
Additionally, they are concerned about the fitness of Dejan Kulusevski, who left the field early during Sunday`s 2-0 home loss to Crystal Palace.
When asked if he would imitate any of Pochettino`s unconventional methods to motivate his players, Postecoglou responded: “We have enough injuries already!
“I’ll put them in cotton wool for the next ten days.
“Seriously, with the way things have gone this year, any extra curricular activities are going to be at a minimum.
“I don’t know if you saw training today but we had Reggie tackle Brennan and they are on the same team. That shows how we’re going!
“It seems to be how our season has gone.
Ange Takes No Chances
“You want to protect the integrity of training and you have to train at a certain level.
“There are the quirks of things that happen. Thankfully nothing too serious.
“You’ve just got to hope and pray that the football gods have run out of challenges to throw to us this year.”
Reguilon moved to Tottenham from Real Madrid in 2020 but never truly found his footing.
This resulted in loan spells at Atletico Madrid, Brentford, and, notably, United.
The Spanish international joined the Manchester club in September 2023 as emergency left-back cover due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
However, Reguilon spent just under four months at Old Trafford before returning to Tottenham, who then sent him on loan to Brentford merely two weeks later.
The defender made only 12 appearances during his brief spell with United.
This is only seven more appearances than he has managed this season at Tottenham, where he has lost favor under manager Postecoglou.
Marcus Bellamy