Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United: Preview, team news, facts, probable line-ups, and prediction
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will face his toughest assignment as Manchester United’s interim manager on Sunday. The Red Devils travel to Wembley to face the third-placed Tottenham Hotspur in what promises to be a pivotal game for both the clubs ambitions this season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side still maintains slim hopes of winning the Premier League and three points could realistically put them back in the title picture. On the other hand, Manchester United have won four on the spin in the league and are now in contention for a top-four finish.
Team news
Tottenham made eight changes in their FA Cup win over Tranmere. Pochettino will draft his regular stars that missed the FA Cup tie. Eric Dier is still recovering from appendix surgery and definitely out.
Lucas Moura who scored twice in the corresponding fixture against United earlier this season is a doubt. Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen are back in training.
Paul Pogba is fit after joining the United camp in Dubai in midweek. Eric Bailly is suspended while Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo are still out injured.
Facts
Manchester United have lost their last three league matches at Spurs. The North Londoners have lost just once in their last 11 matches in all competitions.
Tottenham are the only Premier League team yet to draw a match this season. They are on a club record 25 league matches without a draw stretching back since April 2018.
Predicted Line-ups
Tottenham: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose, Sissoko, Winks, Eriksen, Alli, Son, and Kane.
Manchester United: De Gea, Young, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw, Matic, Pogba, Herrera, Martial, Rashford, and Lingard.
Prediction
A lot has been said about Manchester United having an easy ride with games against Cardiff, Huddersfield, and Newcastle. The thing is, United have not only won those games as expected, it is the manner in which they won, which has caught the eye of many.
Pogba seems to be enjoying his football and players like Rashford and Herrera has enjoyed the freedom to operate. Tottenham will play a different United team from the one they comprehensively beat at Old Trafford earlier this season. However, considering Spurs league position and their attacking prowess, it is going to be a tough game for Manchester United.
Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United