Man Utd vs Tottenham Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Michael Carrick has enjoyed a strong start to life as Manchester United boss as the Red Devils now welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Universo
Man Utd preview: Impressive start for Carrick
Manchester United come into this one on the back of a thrilling 3-2 defeat of Fulham last week in a game in which they gave up a late 2-0 lead before snatching a last-gasp victory via a thumping finish by Benjamin Sesko.
That win came on the back of impressive performances to defeat Manchester City by two goals to nil at Old Trafford before a thrilling 3-2 win against league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Tottenham preview: Steadying Spurs
It isn’t outrageous to suggest that Tottenham Hotspur may well be involved in the relegation battle in the Premier League but the visitors have begun to steady themselves and, last week, did at least show some fight.
After a woeful first-half showing against Manchester City, Spurs managed to fight back to share a 2-2 draw with the Cityzens. That has, quite surprisingly, extended their unbeaten run of form to four matches across all competitions.
Man Utd team news: Mount the closest to return
In his pre-match press conference, Michael Carrick has confirmed that Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount are confirmed absentees with Mount said to be 'not too far away'.
There is no real need for United to change too much with Matheus Cunha having stepped up on the wing and Kobbie Mainoo partnering Casemiro in the middle of the park.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
Unavailable: De Ligt (Injured), Mount (Injured), Dorgu (Injured)
Questionable:
Tottenham team news: Injury crisis
Thomas Frank will be frustrated with a lack of signings at the end of the winter transfer window with Spurs dealing with something of an injury crisis in the final third.
James Maddison is a long-term absentee and the Englishman has been joined on the sidelines by Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Palhinha, Romero, Van de Ven; Gray, Gallagher, Bissouma, Udogie; Kolo Muani, Simons; Solanke
Unavailable: Danso (Injured), Davies (Injured), Porro (Injured), Bentancur (Injured), Maddison (Injured), Bergvall (Injured), Kulusevski (Injured), Kudus (Injured), Richarlison (Injured)
Questionable: Spence (Fitness)
Man Utd vs Tottenham prediction
That aforementioned four-match unbeaten run of form for Spurs has featured two 2-2 draws in the league, one against a very poor Burnley side and then one in desperate circumstances against City, as well as two 2-0 wins against German opposition Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League. They will, though, provide a tougher test for United than perhaps they have been used to because their approach will be to sit back and be very defensive. That said, United have to remain the favourites for this one in what could be a tougher and hard-fought encounter in Salford.
Man Utd vs Tottenham tip: Man Utd to win & under 3.5 goals
