Jose Mourinho has made the decision to leave Tanguy Ndombele on the bench for Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Manchester United.
The France international became the club’s record signing when he arrived last summer.
Spurs paid £53.8m to secure his signature, but he has struggled for minutes this term.
Indeed, he has made just 12 starts in the Premier League and has not played 90 minutes since December’s encounter with Norwich City.
With football back, Mourinho had the option to bring Ndombele into the heart of his midfield but chose not to.
Instead, Spurs began the game against United with a midfield of Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko.
Ndombele started on the bench, alongside other midfielders Oliver Skipp, Gedson Fernandes, and Giovani Lo Celso.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
This could merely be a fitness issue but it doesn’t exactly bode well for Ndombele.
He has had quite some time to get himself into match shape but, with the Premier League back, it does not appear that he has convinced Mourinho he is ready.
Both Winks and Sissoko are excellent, experienced operators but Ndombele is a bigger-name player, particularly given the fee that was paid for him.
Spurs do have nine games of the season remaining and the ex-Lyon star could well have the opportunity to make his mark.
It does not look likely to happen on Friday night, though.