Ryan Mason reveals ambitions to be Tottenham boss as Erik ten Hag gives Bruno Fernandes update for Man Utd

Ryan Mason has admitted that he wants the job at Tottenham permanently after Cristian Stellini’s sacking.

Mason had been promoted to be the assistant manager, but he now has the top job for the second time in his career, and this time he hopes to be rewarded for the long term.

Ahead of a clash with Manchester United at home on Thursday, Mason said: “Obviously I’m ready and if that situation happens it obviously means I have done a good job. But that is in the future of four, five, six weeks’ time.

“Like I said, the immediate thought is the game on Thursday and the game on Sunday. We have big weeks before anyone here can start to think of that situation.”

He added: “It’s obviously massive and it’s our home and they will need to be with us, but at the same time, we need to get them with us as well.

“So that is our job as a group that we give them something to cheer about.”

There may be some hope for Mason and his team as United are preparing for the match amid something of an injury crisis.

Marcus Rashford only recently returned from injury, Lisandro Martinez is out for the season, as could be central defensive partner Raphael Varane, and influential midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been pictured wearing a protective boot after the FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton.

Manager Erik ten Hag was non-committal on Fernandes, saying: “It’s more often that with players, we protect them. It’s prevention, but it has to settle down.

“We have seen he played a full game and it happened in the first-half. But tomorrow is a quick turnaround, so we have to see what is possible.”

United are fourth in the Premier League table, level on points with third-placed Newcastle but with a game in hand.

They are six points ahead of sixth-placed Spurs and with two games in hand.