Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United: 4 key battles | Premier League 2018-19

Many fans across the world are eager to find out if Ole Gunnar is the real deal at Manchester United. Many feel the team is yet to meet a worthy opponent, as they have brushed aside those that have come up against them under Solskjaer.

Tottenham on the other hand, will provide the Norwegian with a sterner test. Tottenham is not expected to sit back and defend like the other teams they have met so far, as Tottenham will come out guns blazing from the first whistle.

Tottenham have had their own ups and downs this season as well. One of the highlights of their season has been the 0-3 at Old Trafford early on.

As much as Manchester United are on a high since the appointment of Ole Gunnar, Tottenham is also on a high, especially after winning 7-0 and 1-0 consecutively in their last two games.

This will surely be a game worth watching. Ole Gunnar will want to make a statement and help the board decide on hiring him on a full-time basis at the end of the season. Mauricio Pochettino and his Tottenham team will also want to show the world that their win earlier at Old Trafford wasn’t a fluke.

Most fans expect this game to be end to end stuff, full of excitement and goals. Whoever wins this game will be seen as a serious threat to the leaders of the league.

Here are some of the battles which will most likely decide the game.

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#1 Paul Pogba vs Harry Winks

He has been scoring goals and creating chances for his teammates

Paul Pogba has really been on a roll since the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United boss. If Manchester United is to come out of this game with something, then Paul Pogba will have a huge say. He has been scoring goals and creating chances for his teammates in his new box to box role.

A player he is most likely to come up against in the game is Harry Winks. Winks has done well for himself since coming into the side after disappointing displays and injury to Erick Dier.

He’s now finally looking like the player the Tottenham faithful expected him to be. He will be the man charged with ensuring that Paul Pogba doesn’t have much influence on the game.

As the defensive midfielder, he will also want to transition the ball quickly enough so he doesn’t get his pocket picked by the French star. He will also need to be alert throughout the game in order to stop Pogba.

#2 Dele Alli vs Victor Lindelof

The young Englishman is capable of the spectacular from time to time

Tottenham is likely to use a high pressing game, and that will surely worry the likes of Victor Lindelof. The player he is going to come up against most of the match is Dele Alli. The young Englishman is capable of the spectacular from time to time, and Lindelof will have his work cut out.

The Swede will have to be mindful whenever he steps into the midfield with the ball, as Alli will look to press him and initiate a counter. Alli will also be the first line of defence for Spurs when Lindelof is stepping forward with the ball.

The Swede has really caught a number of teams by surprise since the appointment of Ole Gunnar, as they have really struggled to pick him out. He will try as much as possible to initiate attacks from the back, especially when the midfield is crowded.

With Alli's undoubtedly huge potential, Lindelof will need to be wary of him every chance he gets the ball. He can spot a pass, and can comfortably score as well. He will also pop up in a number of places around the United box, and the defender will have to track him at every moment.

Alli is definitely a tough customer when on song, and Victor Lindelof will have to be on his A game in the match.

#3 Marcus Rashford vs Toby Alderweireld

If Toby manages to keep Rashford in check, then Spurs may stand a chance of walking away with the points

Toby Alderweireld is undoubtedly one of the finest defenders in the EPL today, he’s quick across the grass, reads the game well, and is strong on the tackle.

Marcus Rashford will have to go past him if he is to continue his rich scoring form, and that will be no easy task. This will be one of those battles that will have a huge bearing on how the game ends. If Toby manages to keep Rashford in check, then Tottenham may stand a chance of walking away with the points, but if he fails, United will claim the bragging rights.

Rashford is not a player who will stick around the Tottenham box throughout the game, as he will want to drag his marker around. If Toby Alderweireld isn’t careful, he may be dragged out of position, leaving his team exposed to attack from other United players.

Also, when the Belgian defender is on Rashford patrol, he will want to be careful not to concede free kicks around his team’s box, as Rashford is proving to be deadly on those.

#4 Harry Kane vs David De Gea

Harry Kane has firmly established himself as one of the deadliest strikers in the world

Without a doubt, these are the most influential players for their respective teams at the moment. David De Gea is one of the best goalies in the world today, and Harry Kane has firmly established himself as one of the deadliest strikers in the world. This will surely be a battle of Titans, as whoever gets the better of the other will surely take away all three points.

At one point or the other, David De Gea will be left isolated with the England captain, and will try all he can to stop him from scoring. If both are in the mood, this will be a game that will be remembered for years to come.

David De Gea isn’t only limited to making crucial saves under Solskjaer, he has also been advised to start attacks from the back. With his passing that has always been above most keepers today, he has finally got a manager that allows him to pick a pass.

Harry Kane will want to limit that at all costs, and will likely press the keeper anytime he has the ball at his feet. If Kane has his shooting boots on, the Spanish number one will surely have his work cut out in trying to keep the striker from scoring.