Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United - Preview

Does Nani deserve a start?

Manchester United travel to White Hart Lane on the back of a superb Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen, which should’ve gone some way to erasing the heartache of the last-minute dropping of points in their recent trip to Cardiff last time out in the Premier League. Football has well and truly entered the silly season when people are suggesting that Sir Alex Ferguson could become manager of Spurs. Although the idea that Ferguson could succeed Andres Villas Boas, is even more ridiculous than the notion he could succeed David Moyes, the fact it’s even been suggested shows that the former Chelsea and Porto boss is struggling. Spurs recent win over Tromso in the Europa League will do little or nothing to relieve the pressure on Villas-Boas but a win over the champions will.

Until recently it was scoring goals that was the main problem for Spurs, but last week’s 6-0 demolition at the hands of Manchester City, means the young manager can add defensive woes to his list of things that need addressing.

Team News

Spurs

Christian Eriksen is still out for the North Londoners with an ankle knock as is Danny Rose , while Emmanuel Adebayor is also a doubt, which may come as a relief to some Spurs fans.

Manchester United

Michael Carrick won’t get the chance to face his old club as he’s out with an Achilles injury. United are expected to give fitness tests to Rafael, Nemanja Vidic and Robin Van Persie. Despite claims in some quarters that Van Persie hasn’t gotten to grips with life under David Moyes, seven league goals in ten appearances shows that idea is something of a nonsense and there’s little doubt United will be praying he’s fit to face Spurs.

Possible Line-Ups

Spurs

After such a humiliating defeat at the hands of City, Villas-Boas could be forgiven for being a bit cautious in this game, but with only nine league goals all season the last thing Spurs need is a more defence-minded approach. Villas-Boas needs to give the White Hart Lane crowd something to cheer about, losing may not cost him his job, but losing without a fight could do.

Spurs looked a much better side against City- or at least a less inept one- with Moussa Dembele on the pitch, so expect him to start and try and take advantage of United’s alleged midfield weakness. With Andros Townsend playing the full 90 minutes in Norway he may not be ready for a start on Sunday but can the ex-Chelsea manager afford to leave him out?

Predicted XI – 4-2-3-1: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Kaboul, Sandro, Dembele, Lennon, Paulinho, Townsend, Soldado.

Manchester United

Much depends on the fitness of Van Persie for David Moyes’ side, not to mention whether the Red’s boss decides to stick with the same players that gave Bayer Leverkusen something of a footballing masterclass. Ryan Giggs may have been outstanding at the BayArena but having just turned 40, a second game in five days could be too much to ask.

Predicted XI – 4-4-2: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Fellaini, Jones, Valencia, Nani, Rooney, Van Persie.

Predicted Man United XI vs Spurs

Recent Form

With an unbeaten run stretching back eleven games, United are in much better form than the patchy Spurs who’ve struggled to make the new signings gel as one point in their last three league games shows, although the home side can take solace from the fact the Reds dropped points in their last away trip.

Players to Watch

Tottenham Hotspur – Mousa Dembele

The Belgian has been something of a thorn in United’s side in the past stretching back to his Fulham days and although like many of the Spurs side he’s struggled with consistency, he has been one of Villas-Boas’ more effective players. Dembele’s pass accuracy proves he’s one of the best in the league when it comes to retaining possession, something that may prove key against a United midfield that’s missing it’s most reliable performer.

Manchester United – Wayne Rooney

Sorry for being completely unoriginal but it would be silly not to claim on current form Wayne Rooney won’t have the Spurs side extremely worried. The England striker’s goals have been pivotal in keeping United there or thereabouts in the Premier League this season.

Although a draw wouldn’t really suit either side it could at least stop any form of mutiny by the home fans and stretch United’s unbeaten run to Sir Alex Ferguson-like numbers. A Rooney strike could put the visitors ahead, before Spurs find an equaliser- maybe from a set-piece and keep Villas-Boas’ in his job for another week.

Tottenham Hotspur1-1 Manchester United