Archie Gray appears set to continue at right-back, despite not being a specialist in the position. That places greater pressure on Tottenham’s defensive structure, particularly against a Manchester United side capable of attacking wide areas and targeting positional weaknesses.
Porro’s absence is significant because his role extends beyond defending. His energy and passing provide Tottenham with an outlet during build-up, helping the team advance up the flank.
Mohammed Kudus and Savio are also likely to feel the impact. Without Porro overlapping, both wingers may have to hold wider positions for longer and contribute more defensive work.
That could restrict their ability to move inside, where they can combine with Tottenham’s forwards and create central overloads. The adjustment will be especially important as the club searches for a return to winning form.
The report says Porro had started only three of Tottenham’s first five league matches, with the team losing all three games. That record underlines the challenge facing Roberto De Zerbi’s side, although it does not prove the injury alone caused those results.
There is hope that Porro could return around Tottenham’s meeting with Chelsea later in the month, but that timeframe remains unconfirmed. The cautious approach is understandable given the limited information surrounding the thigh problem.
For now, Gray is expected to cover against Manchester United and potentially Coventry. Those fixtures will show whether Tottenham can maintain their attacking width and defensive balance until Porro is ready to return.