Manchester United are looking to bounce back from disappointing back-to-back draws when they host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
After a frustrating goalless draw with Crystal Palace last weekend where Man Utd’s profligacy robbed them of victory, the Red Devils responded with a tepid 1-1 stalemate with Dutch outfit FC Twente in their Europa League opener. Erik ten Hag’s side are still yet to turn the corner after a shaky start to the new season.
While Man Utd have suffered with injuries already this term – they’re currently missing four defenders – there can be no excuses for some of their early season showings considering the talent at Ten Hag’s disposal. Facing an attack-minded Tottenham side will not be straightforward.
Here is how Man Utd could line up on Sunday.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Tottenham (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana – After a sensational double save against Crystal Palace last weekend, Onana was largely a spectator midweek. He will expect to be much busier on Sunday given only Manchester City averaged more shots on target than Spurs in the first five games of the season.
RB: Noussair Mazraoui – A promising start to the Moroccan’s Man Utd career will be put to the test on Sunday if Spurs skipper Heung-min Son is passed fit. Mazraoui will be hoping it’s Timo Werner he’s facing instead of the tricky South Korean.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – Harry Maguire did an admirable job in limiting Twente midweek but it’s expected that De Ligt will return to the centre of defence. The former Ajax man’s only encounters with Spurs came in the 2018/19 Champions League semi-final.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – The centre-back that will seemingly be playing every game for Man Utd this season – well, at least until the likes of Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro return from injury – Martinez will have to be wary of Dominic Solanke, who has scored in successive games for Spurs.
LB: Diogo Dalot – Arguably Man Utd’s best player at the start of the new season in his less familiar left-back role. He will be kept honest by Brennan Johnson, who is in impressive form with goals in three straight games.
DM: Kobbie Mainoo – After only being used as a late substitute against Twente, Mainoo will be restored to the starting XI this weekend. He’s already Man Utd’s main man in midfield at just 19 years of age.
DM: Christian Eriksen – A mixed midweek for Eriksen saw him score and cost Man Utd the equaliser but the former Spurs midfielder has been in brilliant form recently. He’ll be vying for a fifth straight start for the Red Devils.
RW: Alejandro Garnacho – With Amad Diallo having started against Twente and featuring for over an hour, Garnacho can offer some fresh legs on Sunday. A battle against Destiny Udogie is a tantalising proposition for the neutral.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – After showing surprisingly little against Twente, Man Utd’s skipper will need to be on song when Spurs come to town. No player has more expected assists (1.3) for the Red Devils in the Premier League this term.
LW: Marcus Rashford – After goals against Southampton and Barnsley since the international break, Rashford already looks a more confident player on the left-hand side. He’s scored six in 16 previous meetings with Spurs and is often a man for the big occasion.
ST: Joshua Zirkzee – The Dutchman hasn’t added to his dream debut goal against Fulham on the opening day, even if he’s shown signs of life in the final third. With Rasmus Hojlund available once more, Zirkzee needs to find the net soon to retain his starting spot.
