Rasmus Højlund returns as Manchester United prepares to face Spurs.
Manchester United, aiming to capitalize on their historical home advantage, host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford this Sunday at 16:30 [GMT+1], as both sides seek to break early-season deadlocks and climb the Premier League table.
Manchester United
Manchester United are coming off the back of a 1-1 draw with FC Twente in their opening fixture of the UEFA Europa League. "We didn't finish it off; we had to go for the second goal, and so they [FC Twente] stay alive, and we get punished with a mistake from ourselves," Erik ten Hag said after the draw.
The Red Devils will reconvene on home soil for Sunday’s clash against Spurs following last weekend’s goalless draw against Crystal Palace. Manchester United are seated in 11th place with 7 points after five PL games (2W, 1D, 2L) before the weekend’s home game against Tottenham.
Erik ten Hag will be hoping the Red Devils' fine home form against Spurs will come into play. The host (WLLWD) have won 24 Premier League home games against Tottenham. Only Arsenal have beaten an opponent more often at home in the competition’s history (25, against Everton). However, Manchester United have lost seven of their last 19 Premier League home games (9W, 3D, 7L).
"I think it will be a very intense game. It always is against Tottenham, and I think it is also our style as well. So, I think it is going to be a very dynamic, attractive game," Erik ten Hag said in a pre-match press conference.
A 4-2-3-1 with Joshua Zirkzee in attack is expected against Tottenham. Rasmus Højlund made his return in the midweek Europa League clash against Twente and is expected to play a role off the bench against Spurs. "Rasmus is back, of course, and now he has to come up to full fitness, full speed, and he can score a goal, we know that. He’s very good in the box," Ten Hag said.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur were far more successful than their English counterparts in the UEFA Europa League after an opening day 3-0 win over ten-men Qarabag FK. [DWLLW]
On Sunday, they would be looking to pick up three victories in a row across all competitions when they face Manchester United, after last weekend’s 3-1 win over Brentford in the London derby. The victory left Spurs with just as many points as Manchester United, but a better goal difference places them right above the Red Devils before this meeting.
Following four straight Premier League defeats against Manchester United between 2021 and 2022, Tottenham are now unbeaten in their last three against the home side in the league [1W, 2D, 0L]. They are aiming to maintain this record at the end of this weekend’s encounter at Old Trafford.
A 4-3-3 formation with Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, and Heung Min-Son in attack is expected.
Team form
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