Spurs vs Man Utd preview
A team undergoing enormous upheaval vs a team finding some semblance of structure after upheaval last season. Manchester United travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take on a team that is limping to the finish line.
In a cruel bit of irony, sacked manager Antonio Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini has also been sacked as interim manager and his assistant Ryan Mason will take charge of this game.
Tottenham have sacked interim coach Cristian Stellini after 6-1 defeat against Newcastle. 🚨⚪️ #THFC
Former Antonio Conte assistant set to leave the club after internal meeting at Spurs in the morning. pic.twitter.com/Z3xvXA2reK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 24, 2023
Manchester United, on the other hand, are coming off a confidence-inducing semifinal victory over Brighton in the FA Cup. Manager Erik Ten Hag has instilled spirit and passion into his side where they react well to setbacks.
In a UEFA Champions League qualifying race that could get tense soon, United will look to separate themselves from the chasing pack. Meanwhile, Spurs will be looking for a reaction and a new manager bounce to get themselves back on track after the 6-1 drubbing by Newcastle that almost equalled Tottenham’s biggest loss in Premier League history.
Spurs vs Man Utd – Team news
Tottenham don’t have any new injury problems if you don’t count the mental scars of the defeat against Newcastle that saw Cristian Stellini lose his job.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma are long-term absentees and there are no suspension threats either. Ryan Mason will likely revert to a three-at-the-back formation after a back four consisting of naturally attack-minded defenders shipped six goals against Newcastle.
Predicted Spurs lineup: Lloris, Dier, Romero, Sanchez, Perisic, Porro, Hojberg, Skipp, Kulusevski, Son, Kane
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s injury problems haven’t eased. In fact, doubts surrounding the status of Bruno Fernandes will give the club Sevilla flashbacks when the team sorely missed his creativity and fell to a limp 3-0 defeat.
Luke Shaw’s fine performance as a CB should see him continue there over Harry Maguire. Victor Lindelof will keep his place as his partner after a similarly impressive display against Brighton in the last game.
There could be some midfield rejig depending upon the status of Bruno Fernandes but history shows he isn’t one to miss games if he is even slightly capable of playing a part.
Predicted Man Utd lineup: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial
Spurs vs Man Utd – Key players
Harry Kane- Spurs
The clock is ticking on Kane’s future at Tottenham. The scorer of the consolation goal in their 6-1 defeat, Kane has shown that even in this underwhelming season, he has the knack for putting the ball in the net. He has scored 24 out of the 58 goals the team has scored in the Premier League this season.
This Spurs team is lacking matchwinners in their current form, especially due to Heung-min Son’s rut. It will be up to Kane to make Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof uncomfortable.
Diogo Dalot- Man Utd
Diogo Dalot has flourished in an unfamiliar LB position for the last two games. Against Spurs, he will come up against very attack-minded fullback Pedro Porro.
Porro had a torrid time against Newcastle where his defensive deficiencies were exposed in a back-four system. If Ryan Mason reverts to a back three, Porro will look to pin back Dalot with his attacking runs. How Dalot manages to push back against Porro while adding an attacking thrust of his own will go a long way to deciding the game.
Spurs vs Man Utd prediction
Manchester United would have went into this game as heavy favourites before Spurs’s game against Newcastle changed the dynamics.
While United would still back themselves to get the win, Spurs’ players will be extra motivated to put things right in front of their home supporters. Combine that drive with a fresh voice in the dugout, things are now tricky for Red Devils.
Still, expect Erik Ten Hag to outwit his opposite number Ryan Mason as Man Utd tighten their grip on the Champions League qualification places.
FootTheBall predicts Spurs 1-3 Manchester United.