'Definitely would have started' - Exclusive: Ex-Spur reacts as Tottenham mid ruled out v Man Utd

Alan Hutton believes Tottenham will be able to cope with the absence of Dele Alli for the club's crunch clash against Manchester United on Friday night.

The former Spurs and Scotland full-back, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, claims the 24-year-old's absence is offset by the return of some big-name stars in north London.

As confirmed by Spurs last week, the midfielder will be missing for the return of the Premier League season after picking up a one-game ban for an offensive social media post.

However, Jose Mourinho will be able to call upon the likes of Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Moussa Sissoko, all of whom were missing prior to the league's suspension, for Friday's clash.

Hutton believes that Alli would have started against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men had he been available but insists the blow of his absence has been softened for Mourinho and Spurs.

Hutton told Football Insider: "If he hadn't been suspended for the social media post I think he would have played but on the flip side of the coin, he's got players back - Son, Sissoko, Bergwijn, Kane back.

"All of a sudden it's starting to look rosy. If this had popped up before we stopped the league and he was missing Alli, it would be a bigger factor but I think at this precise moment in time he's got players available.

"That's no downer on him, I think Alli definitely would have started if he was fit but I think the good thing about it is they've got other players who can carry the burden." 

Alli has played 35 times for Spurs across all competitions this season, including in every Premier League game since October.

Mourinho has been missing both Kane and Sissoko since the first game of 2020, while Son was ruled out with a broken arm shortly before the season shut down.

In other Tottenham news, Darren Bent claims a decision over Harry Kane "backfired" after a training ground update.