Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur analysis: Five key battles and score prediction
The pick of the action this weekend sees Manchester United hosting Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial match for both of their top-four aspirations.
United, it must be said, are already in crisis mode as two wins in five have left them in the bottom half of the table, with increasing calls for INEOS to sack Erik ten Hag.
Tottenham have also had a topsy-turvy start to the season, sitting on the same number of points as the Red Devils, but they have had two tough outings against Newcastle United and Arsenal.
It was an absorbing 2-2 draw between these sides in Manchester last season after Tottenham had comfortably won the reverse game in London 2-0 earlier in the campaign.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Michael Davey considers five key battles to anticipate in the crunch clash at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag vs Ange Postecoglou
Once again, it feels like last-chance saloon for Erik ten Hag as he prepares his dysfunctional United team to tackle Ange Postecoglou’s compelling Tottenham side.
Now in his third season in Manchester, the Dutchman is fast running out of time to prove the doubters wrong. The former Ajax mentor certainly has the pedigree to get the job done, but results on the pitch are what counts, and United’s have been woeful this season.
In his defence, Ten Hag has tried to implement a modern brand of football in Manchester.
He favours high lines in both defence and offence as well as fast transitions. But while there have been flashes of this system during Ten Hag’s tenure, it has been altogether too fleeting.
Postecoglou, on the other hand, has time on his side at Spurs.
Brought in to modernise the club’s playing philosophy and reset its culture after some managerial missteps, the Australian has largely got Tottenham moving in the right direction.
His reign has so far revolved around high-octane football built on a high press and aggressive midfield play.
Unlike previous Tottenham sides that were perhaps too content to let the game come to them, Postecoglou has this Spurs side taking control and forcing the issue.
Ten Hag has guided United to FA Cup and EFL Cup glory in the last two years, but those lesser trophies will only carry you so far at a club of United’s stature.
Given a vote of confidence by the Red Devils’ owners in the off-season, the Dutch manager needs to come good soon or be sent packing.
And that starts with Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham on Sunday.
READ MORE: Premier League analysis: Five things we have learned from the first five games
Dominic Solanke vs Matthijs de Ligt
On the field, all eyes will be on two players looking to build debut-season momentum as Spurs frontman Dominic Solanke and United centre-back Matthijs de Ligt go head-to-head.
Signed for a club-record £65million from Bournemouth, Solanke got off to a slow start due to an untimely ankle injury.
Now fit and raring to go, the Englishman is looking to fill the void of the departed Harry Kane and lighten the load on talisman Heung-min Son.
Primarily a striker but also capable of playing in midfield or on the wing, Solanke provides physicality, speed, and a great first touch.
While excellent at finding space and occupying advanced positions, it is hoped that Postecoglou will help him improve his finishing ability.
De Ligt, on the other hand, arrives as a paragon of unfulfilled potential. He first caught the eye in Ten Hag’s magnificent Ajax side that romped to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.
Solid yet underwhelming spells at Juventus and Bayern Munich followed before United (and Ten Hag) came calling for a partner for Lisandro Martinez.
Technically gifted and confident in possession, De Ligt fortifies the backline with height and strength.
A former winner of the coveted Golden Boy award, he is regarded as an astute leader. De Ligt is, however, regarded as somewhat prone to lapses in concentration.
With Solanke back and De Ligt fully integrated into Ten Hag’s set-up in place of Harry Maguire, both players will want to push on and show that they belong.
Rasmus Hojlund vs Micky van de Ven
Having ended a lengthy injury lay-off with a midweek cameo against FC Twente, Rasmus Hojlund is set to play a part on Sunday and will encounter Dutchman Micky van de Ven.
Signed a year ago for big money from Atalanta, Hojlund was the Red Devils’ main centre-forward last season.
He scored a respectable 16 goals in 43 appearances and showed enough promise to spark hope that the club’s recent striking woes are behind them.
The left-footed Hojlund brings a much-needed poacher’s mindset to the United forward line.
Strong in the air and when receiving the ball, Hojlund works particularly well as the focal point of an attack.
His movement and adaptability also provide opportunities for tactical flexibility.
Former Wolfsburg defender Van de Ven will be charged with keeping Hojlund quiet while Cristian Romero marshals the defensive structure.
Signed at the start of Postecoglou’s reign, Van de Ven impressed many with his speed and work rate last term.
Typically deployed on the left-hand side of the central defence, he is known for his wide range of passing as well as an ability to bring the ball out from the back.
With Romero entrenched and Radu Dragusin showing potential, it is now up to Van de Ven to cement his place.
Hojlund likewise has it all to do at the start of his second season at the Theatre of Dreams.
And while he is unlikely to start against Tottenham, the Dane will surely make an appearance and, when he does, Van de Ven will be waiting for him.
Premier League Betting Tips: Newcastle to hold Man City, Duran to carry on scoring
Rodrigo Bentancur vs Manuel Ugarte
There will be an intriguing Uruguayan subtext to the game on Sunday when Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur and United’s Manuel Ugarte do battle in midfield.
On the back of success at Boca Juniors and Juventus, Spurs signed Bentancur three seasons ago with a view to shoring up the middle of the park for years to come.
Dependable and committed, the midfielder has unfortunately struggled with injuries and form in London.
On his day, Bentancur is a skilful and elegant player. Exhibiting good close control and brilliant vision, he offers Postecoglou useful mobility and versatility in the final third.
Further, with his height and large frame, the South American can function as a target man or a second striker.
In contrast, his compatriot Ugarte is a recent arrival in Manchester having signed from PSG just before the close of the transfer window. The top tackler in Ligue 1 last season, he is considered a long-term replacement for the waning Casemiro.
A combative defensive midfielder by trade, Ugarte is known for his positioning and supreme ability to win back possession.
After a couple of starts in the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League, he is now primed to take on a starting role in the Premier League.
With much to prove on a personal and team level for both players, there is sure to be no love lost between the Uruguayans in what will be a fascinating battle.
Christian Eriksen vs Dejan Kulusevski
Finally, the rejuvenated Christian Eriksen must contend with Spurs’ utility man Dejan Kulusevski if United are to achieve any sort of leverage in the middle third.
Ten Hag began the season favouring Casemiro and the exciting Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, but he has recently turned to Eriksen to ignite the flagging attack.
An integral part of Mauricio Pochettino’s wonderful Tottenham side of the late 2010s, Eriksen was a shrewd signing by the Red Devils after he recovered from cardiac arrest at UEFA Euro 2020.
A classic number 10, the Dane is most at home performing a free-roaming role behind the forwards. This is where his passing range, accuracy, and footballing IQ are at their most destructive. In addition, Eriksen is an accomplished set-piece taker.
Kulusevski performs more of an everyman role in London. Initially brought in on loan from Juventus, Spurs made the deal permanent in anticipation of Postecoglou’s arrival last term.
The Swede has been a constant fixture in the line-up ever since, playing in multiple positions as the manager attempts to find a system that gets the best out of a talented Spurs side.
Tall and powerful, Kulusevski can and does execute a variety of functions.
Equally hard-working and creative, he has a keen eye for through balls and switching the play at speed.
With United and Tottenham desperate to climb the Premier League table and re-enter the race for the hallowed Champions League places, it falls to Eriksen and Kulusevski to set the tone in midfield and provide the platform for a necessary three points.
Score prediction: Man Utd 2 Tottenham 2
