Rejuvenated Manchester United trade tackles with Spurs in what should make for an entertaining Premier League fixture on Sunday, and Jose Mourinho will want to claim the scalp of his former employers on his second return to this ground since severing ties.
Premier League 2020/2021
Date: Sunday September, 4th
Kick-off: 16:30
Venue: Old Trafford
Manchester United have seemingly got their guile back since the loss to Crystal Palace, though you can question the level of opposition they had faced.
Luton Town and Brighton (twice) had fell to them, the latter offering very little sting as they went down 3-0 in the EFL Cup meeting in midweek. Scott McTominay, Juan Mata and substitute Paul Pogba all got on the scoresheet in Amex, and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer would not have been too displeased to see the very much improved performance from his charges.
The Red Devils face an even sterner test here, but can be fancied to prove too strong for a side who they are unbeaten against in four of their last five meetings.
Thus, a first Old Trafford triumph since July would certainly set the 20-time champions up nicely for a tough run of fixtures which sees them face Chelsea, Arsenal and in-form Everton in three of their next four.
On the other hand, this is Tottenham’s fourth game in eight days, and there’s a feeling some early-season fatigue could soon catch up with them.
However, fresh off beating Chelsea in the cup, they belied the effects of their recent gruelling schedule to thrash Isreali opposition Maccabi Haifa 7-2 on Thursday, and of course still retain the speed and firepower to make their hosts pay here.
The draw versus Newcastle last time out in the league was frustrating, but the 5-2 walloping of Southampton earlier offered a perfect reminder of how deadly the Lilywhites can be on their day.
Games such like this can produce crackers, and could well see a lot of value in the betting.
Team news
Man U
Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes will need assessing after missing Wednesday’s win at Brighton with slight knocks though both are expected to recover in time to feature here.
Tottenham
Giovani Lo Celso is a doubt after being taken off at half time against Maccabi Haifa.
Gareth Bale and Son Heung-Min are ruled out.
Head to Head
In 193 competitive games, Manchester United have 91 wins to Spurs 52. 50 games have been drawn.
Team form
Man U last five competitive games:LLWWW
Tottenham’s last five competitive games: WWDWW
Betting tips
This really is one which could go either way, and it could be tricky trying to pick an outright winner. Both sides have a lot of quality going forward, and so could easily descend to a goals galore. We like to think that both will feature among the goals, and you can get odds of 7/10 for that on Betclever.
Marcus Rashford is 6/4 to hit the net anytime on the scorers market, and is very much one of his side’s most threat carriers.
