Premier League Sunday Night, Man United Vs Spurs: Middle Board Club Duel
JAKARTA - Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will meet at Old Trafford on Sunday 29 September, in the sixth week of the 2024/2025 Premier League. Both teams tried to get out of the middle board to maintain ambitions to enter the European zone.
Currently, Manchester United and Tottenham both have seven points, two wins and one draw. Spurs are in 10th place in the 2024/2025 Premier League standings, one position above the Red Devils who lost on goal difference.
An additional three points will lift their position to eighth, shifting Brighton and Nottingham Forest who both lost in the sixth week of the match.
Manchester United started the 2024/2025 season inconsistently. Erik ten Hag's team have recorded the same number of defeats as wins, and their productivity in the front line is still far from satisfactory. Despite being in four matches without defeat, the final completion of the Red Devils has often been in the spotlight.
On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur under the tutelage of Ange Postecoglou also had problems. Spurs lost two games in early September, despite managed to bounce back with three consecutive wins.
At last season's meeting, Tottenham were two times behind but managed to hold Manchester United to a 2-2 draw in a game full of drama.
Erik ten Hag did not face any new injuries ahead of this important match. However, four major Manchester United players are ruled out, namely Luke Shaw (stilt injury), Leny Yoro (leg injury), cap Malacia (knee injury), and Victor Lindelof (leg injury). However, Mason Mount has recovered from a thigh injury and is likely to return to play in the near future.
Manchester United is expected to use the 4-2-3-1 formation with Andre Onana as the main goalkeeper. The defense lines are likely filled by Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Leandro Martinez, and Diogo Dalot.
In midfield, Manuel Ugarte will most likely duet with Kobbie Mainoo, while Bruno Fernandes will return to fill role number 10, supported by Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho on the wing. Joshua Zirkzee is predicted to lead the front line with Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Höjlund as options on the bench.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur also has no new injury problems. Richarlison (chip injury) and Wilson Odobert (hamstring injury) are still absent, but Son Heung-min is ready to play after doubt. Coach Ange Postecoglou is expected to field a 4-3-3 formation with Guglielmo Vicario under the bar.
The Spurs back line is likely to be filled by Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie, while the midfield will be controlled by Rodrigo Bentancur, backed by Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison. Dominic Solanke will lead the attack line, accompanied by Son Heung-min and cap Johnson.
Tottenham Hotspur have been unbeaten in their last three meetings against Manchester United in the Premier League (won once, drew twice). However, Spurs had a poor record at Old Trafford, only winning four of their 32 Premier League visits.
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On the other hand, Manchester United, despite having had 20 unbeaten matches at home from August 2022 to August 2023, have lost seven to their last 19 home games.
This match is predicted to run tight with quite an open opportunity. Both teams have weaknesses in defense and midfield, so the match can be fierce. The match could potentially end in a draw, with the actions of both teams likely to score goals.
Line-up forecast:Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee
Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son