The Premier League returns this weekend after a brief intermission last week, with cup competitions played out over the weekend and midweek. The league returns with a blockbuster action as strugglers Manchester United welcome new-look Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford on Sunday.
Man United were last in action against League One opposition Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup, as a dominant performance resulted in a 2-0 away win for the Red Devils. Despite the scoreline, Manchester United were much the better team, creating chances aplenty and should have won by more than just two goals. Their attacking and finishing issues once again came to the fore as United attackers failed to put away a few clear cut chances.
However, there was some joy for the United faithful and the manager as well, seeing the front three of Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho work well in tandem. Manchester United will look to build on that win against Wigan, and will be boosted by a few players returning in the coming weeks. Tottenham pose a stern test for the Red Devils who have been below par this season, and United will look to prove a point against them.
Tottenham Hotspur sit fifth in the table and have the chance to go as high as second in the table, with Manchester United the obstacle between them and second. Ange Postecoglou has transformed the team with his attacking philosophy and the fans have loved the Australian’s approach.
It has been a breath of fresh air for the Spurs fans who have gone for years without any real kind of success. The Australian manager’s tactics and style of play has received acclaim even from pundits. Spurs were last in action in the FA Cup against Burnley, winning 1-0 and progressing to the fourth round. They will look to continue their streak and look to do the double over Man United, something they have not managed to do since the 1989/1990 season.
When & Where?
Date: Sunday, 14th January 2023.
Time: 4.30 pm GMT
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, UK.
Match Officials
Referee: John Brooks.
Assistants: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh.
Fourth official: Tony Harrington.
VAR: Chris Kavanagh.
Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn.
Team News
Manchester United’s injury woes continue to hurt them with the hosts set to miss a number of players on Sunday. Argentine Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Casemiro, despite being spotted in full training are set to be on the sidelines as the game comes too soon for them and will return to action only after the winter break. Similarly, English duo of Harry Maguire and Mason Mount are also close to a return but only the former may be available this weekend with the latter needing a week or so more according to Erik ten Hag.
Forward Anthony Martial has missed the last six games through illness and there is no new update on the Frenchman meaning it remains to see if he is in the squad for Sunday. However, it is not all doom and gloom for the Red Devils as Luke Shaw and Christian Eriksen are very likely to be available for selection this weekend, having recovered from their injuries.
Tottenham Hotspur have a few absentees and injury problems of their own with key players missing through injuries. Creator-in-chief James Maddison is suffering from an ankle injury since mid-November, and will miss out on the trip to Old Trafford along with Argentine duo of defender Cristian Romero and forward Alejo Veliz. Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have travelled to AFCON to represent their respective countries. Perhaps the most important absentee for Spurs will be Heung-min Son who has been called up by South Korea to represent them in the Asian Cup. Ben Davies and Manor Solomon will also remain on the sidelines as the former suffered a hamstring injury last weekend and the latter suffering from a meniscus tear. Ivan Perisic tore his ACL early in the season and no return date has been provided for the veteran Croatian.
However, new signing Timo Werner could be in line to make his debut for Spurs after joining on loan from RB Leipzig till the end of the season. He will be hoping to make an impact and prove his critics wrong after his disastrous spell at Chelsea two seasons ago. Joining Werner as Spurs’ second signing of the January transfer window is defender Radu Drăgușin who joins the club from Genoa and could be involved from the get-go given the injuries in the Spurs’ backline. Left-back Sergio Reguilon may also feature against United where he spent the first half of the season on-loan but returned to London after the Red Devils chose to terminate the loan early.
Match Analysis
Ange Postecoglou has earned praise from critics this season for his unwavering belief in his philosophy and attacking principles and Tottenham’s stubbornness to play their football irrespective of the opponent in front of them. Hence it would be no surprise to expect the Londoners to line up in their familiar and preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, playing attacking football with a high line on Sunday. However, while he has received praise, Postecoglou has also been criticized for sticking to his principles, as in the recent 4-1 derby defeat against Chelsea, where Spurs continued playing a high line despite being reduced to 9 men by the hour mark.
Playing attacking football at Old Trafford may well be their ticket to three points against a United side that are inferior to their London opponents this season in perhaps every department. The Red Devils have looked clueless at times against big teams and there may be a repeat of the 2-0 defeat they suffered against Spurs at the start of the season. However, not all odds are against United as they sense a glimmer of hope from the high defensive line Spurs are expected to play. The attacking quartet of Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund have devastating pace and trickery, with the ability to make runs behind the defense. The four can be lethal on the counter-attack, which is United’s weapon of choice and Postecoglou may well play into the hands of the Red Devils with his attacking style.
Tottenham have been much the better side this season, despite their rocky run between November and December, and they have looked back to their best in the last six games out of which they have won five. Injuries and unavailable players have hit both teams hard, but it is still expected to be a mouthwatering clash on Sunday.
Key Players
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford’s performances have improved drastically since their comeback win over Aston Villa. He has put in some strong displays over the last couple games, and seems to have established himself over Antony in the pecking order. Alejandro Garnacho’s performances on the right-wing have also worked out in Rashford’s favour as it has helped him gain back his preferred left-wing role. He has gotten a goal and two assists in his last three starts for the club, and will hope to build on that in what is one of the biggest games of the season for United. It has not been the easiest of seasons for the Englishman and coming off the back of a highly successful 22/23 season, he was expected to continue lighting the football stage on fire.
Richarlison
In the absence of talisman Heung-min Son, Richarlison will have to step up massively and will have to provide the goal threat for Spurs. He has looked in good form over the last few games, scoring 5 goals in his last five league games. The arrival of Timo Werner will certainly provide competition for the Brazilian and Postecoglou will hope that the competition will just fuel the striker more, ultimately benefitting his side. There were question marks over the Brazilian’s ability after a dismal first season at Spurs, but he has improved in his second season and has looked much more suited to Postecoglou’s side. He has 6 goals in 17 games so far, and will look to improve his tally against a leaky United defense.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United XI vs Tottenham: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay; Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Højlund.
Tottenham XI vs Manchester United: Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Emerson, Mickey van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Oliver Skipp, Rodrigo Bentancur; Bryan Gil, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson; Richarlison.