Two fallen titans of the English game meet in Sunday’s Premier League clash, as Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both sides are struggling in the lower half of the table, with neither able to afford further setbacks if they are to avoid a potential relegation battle.
Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, had boldly stated that he always wins trophies in his second year in charge, based on his previous successes. However, his team’s recent form has made that prediction look increasingly unlikely. A humiliating exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of Liverpool, followed by another FA Cup loss to Aston Villa, has compounded the frustration of fans. Still, there have been signs of improvement, such as their recent win at Brentford, which ended a four-match losing streak in the Premier League.
Despite that win, Postecoglou’s men are still reeling from a dreadful home record, having failed to win any of their last seven Premier League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They have drawn two and lost five of those matches, highlighting their struggles in front of their own supporters. The team has shown resilience by scoring in every home match this season, but defensive frailty and an inability to finish games have been persistent issues. Tottenham’s attack will be crucial if they are to bounce back against Manchester United, and Postecoglou will need to find the right balance.
For Manchester United, recent performances have been similarly disappointing, with the team struggling to find any consistency. After a string of solid performances, they have faltered again, including a demoralizing 2-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace. With the team fighting for a place in the Europa League, Ruben Amorim’s side has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent form in the Premier League, with only six wins in their last 11 matches.
However, United will be encouraged by their success in other competitions, particularly their FA Cup victory over Leicester, which saw Harry Maguire score a controversial goal in injury time. While some argue that VAR would have ruled out the goal, United’s fans were quick to celebrate the win, which marked their sixth victory in eight matches across all tournaments.
Tottenham has had United’s number so far this season, with Postecoglou’s side securing a dominant 3-0 win at Old Trafford and triumphing 4-3 in the EFL Cup quarter-finals. The Red Devils now face the prospect of losing all three encounters with Spurs in the current campaign, which would be a bitter blow to their ambitions.
Tottenham’s injury list has been a significant hurdle for Postecoglou, but there is hope as some key players are set to return. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and full-back Destiny Udogie are both expected to make their first appearances of the year, and attacking duo James Maddison and Brennan Johnson may also be available after recovering from calf issues. While other players like Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Dominic Solanke, and Richarlison remain sidelined, the return of Maddison and Udogie will give Postecoglou a boost.
Manchester United’s injury problems have been just as severe, with several key players out of action. Lisandro Martinez recently underwent surgery, while Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, and Tom Heaton are all unavailable. Midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are also dealing with injuries, with Mainoo expected to miss a couple of weeks. Perhaps the biggest blow for United, however, is the reported season-ending ankle injury to attacker Amad Diallo, further depleting an already thin squad. Despite these setbacks, Amorim will be hopeful that players like Alejandro Garnacho, who impressed in United’s last cup match, can step up and make an impact.
In terms of lineups, Tottenham could field a starting XI of Vicario; Porro, Gray, Danso, Spence; Sarr, Bissouma, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Tel, and Son. Meanwhile, Manchester United is expected to start Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Eriksen, Dalot; Fernandes, Garnacho, and Zirkzee.
The stakes are high for both teams, with Tottenham hoping to snap their home winless streak and Manchester United seeking to recover from their own struggles. It promises to be an intriguing encounter, with both sides needing the points to improve their fortunes in the Premier League.
