- Manchester United Need To Improve Massively Ahead Of Their Trip To North London.
Manchester United travel to London to take on Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side following their unimpressive 1-0 win against Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday night. Erik ten Hag’s men were second best throughout their contest against Wolves, and that needs to change if they want to get a result in North London on Saturday.
Wolves should have at least got a draw against Manchester United in what was an intense, high-tempo performance from Gary O’Neil’s men. The West Midlanders cut through Manchester United’s midfield too easily, and Matheus Cunha could have had a hat-trick on another day.
Midfield Worry
United were poor at the base of midfield, with Mount and Fernandes playing further forward. The midfield structure exposed Casimiro a little too much on Monday, Erik ten Hag will need to fix that against Spurs. Perhaps a more settled center midfield pairing of Casemiro and Eriksen will be ideal, but they must be ready to work against Spur’s press.
Tottenham pressed Brentford last week excellently well, all that was missing was a goalscorer. They have Yves Bissouma back from injury, and the Malian midfielder looks like a new signing. He put in a man of the match performance against Brentford, and will be looking to continue against United.
The hard-working Oliver Skipp helped Bissouma in midfield, and that partnership could continue, or Postecoglou could choose to go with Hojbjerg for a more solid base.
Spurs are trying to get back to playing attacking football expressly, and the fans would be right behind their team in their first game at Tottenham Hotspur stadium since the sale of Harry Kane.
With Spur’s press, Manchester United should be able to utilize their £47.2 million investment in goal well. Andre Onana is an expert at helping his team play out of opposition press, and Spurs will have no choice but to be careful of midfield-splitting passes from goal to United’s pacy attackers.
Spurs v Manchester United – Stats and Facts
- Manchester United have won 4 of their last 5 Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur (W4 D1)
- Tottenham’s 6-1 win over Manchester United in October 2020 was their last win against United in the Premier League.
- Liverpool and Manchester United are the only clubs yet to lose at Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
- Tottenham Hotspur’s only home draw last season came against Manchester United
- Manchester United have won their opening Premier League away match in just one of the last five seasons, beating Brighton 3-2 in 2020.
- Their first match on the road for Manchester United last term ended in a 4-0 defeat at Brentford. The Red Devils are in danger of losing their opening away league fixture in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1980-81 and 1981-82.
Overall, Manchester United need to improve their ball retention in the middle of the park, more interceptions and defensive work will be needed against Spurs, and more productivity from the flanks. Höjlund’s continued absence might mean United play Marcus Rashford centrally again, but Alejandro Garnacho could be dropped after a frustrating night against Wolves. Sancho might get the nod, or perhaps a fit Antony Martial.
Ange Postecoglu needs to get his first win as Tottenham manager, and doing it in front of the Spurs faithful in London would be the goal for this weekend, while Erik ten Hag will hope to continue United’s good record against Tottenham Hotspur, it promises to be exciting.
