Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur meet on Sunday in the Premier League at Old Trafford after getting their respective UEFA Europa League campaigns underway midweek. Erik ten Hag continues to battle for his Old Trafford future after an underwhelming start to this season was added to by a draw with Twente in the UEL. Ange Postecoglou is turning things around with Spurs and saw his team ease past Qarabag in continental action but the pair remain midtable in the EPL.
United were pegged back in midweek and will want to bounce back at Old Trafford after consecutive home draws which also included Crystal Palace. The Red Devils are unbeaten in four games but a tally of just five goals scored in the Premier League so far is concerning especially when United’s expected goals tally is one of the highest in the English topflight which hints at their under-performing nature.
Spurs came from behind to beat Brentford last time out in the Premier League and danger was averted after Radu Dragusin saw red early on against Qarabag. Tottenham punished their wasteful visitors for a third consecutive win but their road form posts just two wins from 12 in the EPL with four losses from their last six outings. A 2-2 draw last year extended an unbeaten run at Old Trafford to three and the Londoners will hope to avoid defeat again here.
Here’s our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday, September 29 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Location: Old Trafford – Manchester, England
- Watch: USA Network | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: United +138; Draw +290; Spurs +175
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Story so far
Firmly in midtable coming into this one in 11th, INEOS are starting to feel the pressure a little in terms of Ten Hag’s future with the next few weeks likely to be critical. The Dutch tactician is struggling to justify the faith shown towards him by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and a bottom half of the table berth after five games was not what was expected. Spurs are only one position better off in 10th but Postecoglou’s side are turning things around in attack with eight goals from just three games against both Brentford and Qarabag.
Team news
United: Ten Hag already indicated that he expected to have the same squad available for Spurs with Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw unavailable. Kobbie Mainoo returning in midfield is likely which means that Manuel Ugarte’s EPL debut might have to wait. Alejandro Garnacho should return instead of Marcus Rashford or Amad Diallo.
Possible United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Eriksen, Mainoo; Diallo, Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee.
Spurs: Tottenham captain Heung-min Son took a knock but Postecoglou does not expect the South Korea international to miss out. Dragusin’s suspension does not impact the Premier League so Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are the only major absentees for this trip to Manchester.
Possible Spurs XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son.
Prediction
Expect a tight encounter which could be won by a single goal but is ultimately likely to end in a draw with both sides scoring. Pick: United 1, Spurs 1.
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