Manchester United will look to even the scores against Tottenham as both managers will be eager for a statement win.
Manchester United will aim to kick-start their Premier League run in 2024 on a bang, with Erik ten Hag keen on turning a new page when they take on Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.
Inconsistencies have crept into the club and the players, which has seen them take surprise results and falter where they were expected to progress. The win over Aston Villa felt like a moment when ten Hag and his players turned a corner.
But the balloon of hope soon deflated with the defeat to Nottingham Forest. There are problems, bad performances and even questions around the players’ attitude. But the Red Devils are in a decent position on the table.
While there is still a considerable nine-point gap between them and the top four, Manchester United will want to close that, and what better way to do it than a win over Tottenham? Ten Hag will want his players charged up and go into this clash to seek revenge over Spurs and even the scores.
Tottenham have somewhat managed to turn the corner after an inconsistent period mired by injuries and suspensions to key players. Spurs have won five of their last six games in all competitions, with the latest coming in the FA Cup through a stellar strike from Pedro Porro.
Despite a drastic period where results were not going their way, Tottenham have turned a corner and sit only a point behind bitter rivals Arsenal. With the Gunners in an extended break from Premier League action, Spurs can apply more pressure with a win that will take them about their North London counterparts.
Ange Postecoglou still has plenty to answer, and the Australian would hope for a morale-boosting result at Old Trafford similar to the one they had in the reverse fixture. Overall, this game packs the action to claim the best fixture of this round, as a win for either side will see drastic movements in the table.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Despite Andre Onana’s call-up to the Cameroon national squad, the keeper will guard the goal for Manchester United at the weekend and then make a dashing trip to Ivory Coast to play 24 hours later for his nation. Erik ten Hag does have Altay Bayindir but might prefer to start Onana.
On the injury front, Manchester United received a massive boost with the fitness of some of their key stars. Injured trio Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Casemiro will be involved at the weekend, while Tyrell Malacia might also make the squad.
Mason Mount remains absent, while Sofyan Amrabat has left to represent Morocco at the AFCON. Amad Diallo, Antony, and Christian Eriksen, who missed the trip to Wigan Athletic, are also back in contention, meaning ten Hag has a good enough squad.
Some key players are still out injured, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof still missing. Ten Hag may not want to rush some of his recently returned stars, meaning he will likely retain some of the faces who have played some games lately.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Tottenham
Spurs’ January business has seen two players, Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin, enter the door. The latter still has work permit issues to resolve. But Postecoglou was confident it would come through and insisted the Romanian might feature at the weekend.
If that is the case, Postecoglou might include Dragusin straight into his lineup, with defensive injuries still an issue. Cristian Romero has rejoined training, but the manager insisted the Manchester United game might come too soon.
Ben Davies is also looking at a month or so out of action with a hamstring injury, although Tottenham have Micky van de Ven back in contention. So the Dutchman can take the left side of central defence. Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro will complete the backline for Spurs in their full-back roles.
Key trio Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and Son Heung-min have joined their national squads, so they will be missed for the next few weeks. With a move for Werner already finalised, the German could start for Tottenham against Manchester United, replacing the South Korean on the left-hand side of the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Udogie; Hojbjerg, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Werner; Richarlison
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won eight of their last ten home matches against Tottenham in all competitions.
- If Manchester United lose, it will only be the fifth time they have lost ten games in a Premier League season.
- Tottenham have scored at least two goals in their last five matches in the Premier League.
- Tottenham have won five of their last six games in all competitions.
- Tottenham have only one victory in their last four away games.
Player to Watch
Richarlison
The Brazilian has finally found some form of productivity in a Tottenham shirt, and Ange Postecoglou will hope he keeps scoring goals and maintains momentum. The big issue for Richarlison is the absence of Son Heung-min, which could have a detrimental effect on his performance and the team’s.
However, Spurs would need their striker to hit top gear for the next few weeks and probably for the remainder of the season. A good performance against Manchester United should boost Richarlison’s confidence for a while ahead, as Tottenham fans will want to find a temporary replacement within the squad to become the team’s talisman, and Richarlison will surely think this is his chance to endear himself to the fanbase.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United will remember the Aston Villa game as a good mark in their book on how to perform against the big teams. Villa were two goals ahead before the Red Devils staged a brilliant comeback. Erik ten Hag will hope the concessions are not the case against Spurs and would want his side to outperform Postecoglou’s.
On the other hand, Tottenham are missing some of their key players, but the backups are well-equipped to get the job done. Postecoglou will want a repeat performance from the reverse fixture. However, this game has all the hallmarks of an eventful draw.
