Manchester United vs Tottenham Preview
By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01
Manchester United are enduring a turbulent season, with missed opportunities becoming a recurring theme. According to Opta, the Red Devils currently top the Premier League for big chances missed, tallying 17 so far. Despite this, hopes remain high as they look to regain momentum. Following consecutive draws against Crystal Palace and Twente, United will face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday—a match that could determine the future of manager Erik ten Hag.
Meanwhile, significant developments are taking place off the pitch. The design for the new Old Trafford Stadium District has been awarded to the renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners. Although the stadium itself will not be part of the project, the vision is grand: a proposed 100,000-seater stadium that could inject an additional £7.3 billion annually into the UK economy. The project is also expected to create 92,000 new jobs, deliver 17,000 new homes, and attract 1.8 million more visitors each year. This ambitious endeavor, driven by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, offers a glimpse into the club’s future. However, fans are eager for clarity on the immediate managerial situation.
On the pitch, United kicked off their Europa League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Twente. Christian Eriksen’s early goal gave them the lead, but a lapse in focus allowed Twente to equalize. This has left fans questioning whether Eriksen will start against Spurs, particularly given Tottenham’s fast-paced midfield. Can he keep up with the intensity, or will Ten Hag make a tactical adjustment?
In the Premier League, United’s form has been inconsistent. With two wins, two losses, and one draw, they currently sit 11th in the table with a zero-goal difference. Ten Hag maintains that the squad is going through a process and that the right signings have been made, but supporters expect to see improvements—starting with Sunday’s crucial match against Spurs. Tottenham, in 10th place, sits just above United on goal difference, with four more than the Red Devils. The return of Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia to training could provide a much-needed boost, but Ten Hag’s recent tactical decisions and in-game management have come under scrutiny.
Adding to the intrigue, rumors have surfaced that Manchester United’s Chief Executive, Omar Berrada, is targeting 2028 as the year to reclaim the Premier League title—timed to coincide with the club’s 150th anniversary. Whether Ten Hag will still be at the helm by then is a hot topic among fans and pundits alike.
The stakes are high for both Erik ten Hag and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou. A loss for either side on Sunday will only intensify the pressure. Spurs bounced back from back-to-back defeats with a 3-1 victory over Brentford, courtesy of goals from Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, and James Maddison. They also secured a Europa League win against Qarabag, despite being reduced to 10 men. Postecoglou has cautioned fans that there is no “quick fix” for Tottenham’s problems, but improving their away form could be a key factor. Since the start of last season, Spurs have gained 28 points from losing positions—second only to Manchester City. However, their away form has been shaky, with just two wins from their last 12 Premier League matches.
As Sunday’s clash approaches, the question looms: should United press early or wait for Spurs to make the first move? Historically, United has a strong record against Tottenham at Old Trafford, having won 24 home league matches against them. Yet, in their last encounter, Spurs battled back from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison canceling out goals from Rasmus Højlund and Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United record against Spurs:
| Games won: | 96 |
| Games drawn: | 51 |
| Games lost: | 54 |
Team News:
(As of today 29/09/2024)
Tottenham: Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are out.
Manchester United: Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia remain unavailable.
Prediction:
Even though the stats and history favor Manchester United, I don’t see them winning due to their inability to convert chances.
Manchester United 1-3 Tottenham.
What do you think the scoreline will be? Share your predictions below!