Manchester United will be looking to bounce back after their derby defeat as they host Tottenham Hotspurs in the Premier League. In their last meeting, Manchester United came out with 0-3 winners which eventually cost Nuno his job. Goals from Cavani, Ronaldo, and Rashford completed a tidy win for the Red Devils.
This will be an important game for both sides in their race for the Champions League spot. The two are only separated by two points. Manchester United are 5th on the table with 47 points while Spurs are 7th with 45 points, but the away side holds two games in hand.
Manchester United come into this game on the back of their lackluster 4-1 derby defeat. They were well and truly beaten by a far better side. De Bruyne and Mahrez bagged themselves a brace while Sancho managed to score against his former team.
United have drawn four of their last seven games in all competitions which has dented their Champions League ambitions. They are still a point behind Arsenal who have three games in hand over the Red Devils.
Manchester United Form: W W D D L
The visitors have won their last two games in the Premier League with some comfort. They beat Leeds 0-4 and Everton 5-0 last week but in between the games, they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough. This perfectly encapsulates their season so far.
After their win against Everton, they are now 3 points behind rivals Arsenal who have a game in hand over Spurs. A win for Conte will put his side above United and in touching distance of the top 4. With Kane seemingly finding his feet, the North London side will back themselves against struggling United.
Spurs Form: W L W L W
Manchester United vs Spurs: Team news
Manchester United
All eyes will be on Ronaldo and if he makes a comeback to the first team after missing the game against Manchester City. Cavani could also return to the first team for the first time since United’s draw against Burnley.
The defensive duo of Varane and Shaw missed the game against City due to Covid and will remain a doubt for United. Rangnick might switch things up a little by bringing in Rashford for Elanga for his speed on the counter-attacks. Diogo Dalot could be preferred over Wan Bissaka who started the last four games ahead of the Portuguese full-back.
Possible Manchester United starting lineup
David De Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Alex Telles; McTominay, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandez; Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Cristiano Ronaldo
Tottenham Hotspurs
Ryan Sessegnon will be a concern for Spurs as he was taken off at half-time against Everton due to an injury. Reguilon will be the obvious replacement if Sessegnon is to miss out.
Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga have been sidelined for a while now and will not be fit enough for this game as well. Conte is unlikely to make any changes to the winning side against Everton.
Possible Spurs starting lineup
Hugo Lloris; Christian Romero, Eric Dier, Ben Davies; Matt Doherty, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Sergio Reguilon; Dejan Kulusevski, Son Heung-Min; Harry Kane.
Our Prediction
Manchester United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspurs
It will be a tight game where both teams are likely to cancel each other out and settle for a draw. Both sides have shown signs of inconsistencies since the start of the season. Both teams will set up defensively which suggests a low-scoring game.
The outcome also depends on the availability of Ronaldo. Because even on his bad day, he can come up with the good that could sway the result in United’s favor.
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