Undoubtedly the biggest game of the Premier League matchweek 25, Manchester United travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Red Devils are looking to avenge the home league reverse and Carabao Cup exit to Spurs earlier in the season. They edged Leicester City 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round at Old Trafford thanks to a hugely contentious winner from Harry Maguire in stoppage-time.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side lost their last league game to Crystal Palace at home and will be under pressure to beat Tottenham, who head into this fixture after back-to-back eliminations from the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
Manchester United Team News
Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Jonny Evans have been on the sidelines for some time now, while goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton missed the FA Cup win over Leicester City. Lisandro Martinez recently underwent successful surgery on his season-ending ACL problem.
Ruben Amorim stated in his pre-match presser that one player is a doubt this weekend due to illness and there are a couple of “issues” he is tackling with ahead of the trip to north London.
Predicted Manchester United lineup vs Tottenham (3-4-2-1)
Goalkeeper
Andre Onana’s form has been patchy since the turn of the year, making a few errors. Yet, he remains Man United’s undisputed No.1, and Amorim will expect the Cameroonian to produce a strong display at Tottenham.
Defence
In Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, Harry Maguire seems to have cemented his spot as the central centre-back. Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt are expected to function on either side of the England international.
The Man United back three have to be switched on from the first whistle and until the last to keep a clean sheet against a dangerous Tottenham side.
Midfield
January recruit Patrick Dorgu started the FA Cup game against Leicester City but was hooked at half-time. Amorim, thus, may be a bit skeptical to start him on Sunday. This means Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui will be seen operating as the wing-backs, trying to stretch the home side from left and right flank respectively.
Manuel Ugarte should shield the backline, with Bruno Fernandes partnering him in the middle of the park. The onus will be on Fernandes to pull the strings from a deeper role and try playing the incisive passes in the final third for the forwards. The likes of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Toby Collyer may get chances to impress in the second half.
Attack
Man United’s best player under Amorim, Amad Diallo will be key in unlocking the Tottenham defence. With his flair, dribbling and pace, he could make life difficult for the home side’s defenders. Kobbie Mainoo is expected to partner Diallo as advanced playmakers.
The United boss could again go with Rasmus Hojlund up top despite him going 14 matches without scoring a goal. Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho have acted as game-changers on multiple occasions, and Amorim would expect the same from them if called upon off the bench.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
