Saturday, as always, brings a Premier League early kick-off at Old Trafford, where Manchester United will be motivated to end their bad run of games against Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils have not registered any win against the North London club since October 202,2 and they come to this game wanting to get the better of them.
That said, the home team is in a fresh wave of confidence under the new man at the helm Michael Carrick. A crazy last-minute of the match 3, 2 victory over Fulham last weekend not only kept their unbeaten run but also proved that the players enjoy a growing belief. Carrick thus would gear his side to get consecutive wins for the fourth time which would strongly mark his good beginning at the bench and thus strengthen the idea that the club has got back on the right track.
Looking at the injuries and fitness, the Red Devils will still be without the services of defender Matthijs de Ligt who is out of action with a back problem, while Patrick Dorgu is set to be out for quite a lengthy period of time due to a hamstring injury. Mason Mount on the other hand is also ruled out after not featuring against Fulham, which means his absence is likely to be a short one.
Carrick is most likely going to retain his go-to 4-2-3-1 system. Senne Lammens is the bet to be handed the gloves again behind the defensive quartet consisting of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez and Luke Shaw. Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo will probably be the two midfielders whose duties will revolve around breaking down the opponent`s play and linking up with the attacking players, thus providing the settling factor for an offensive threesome of Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha. Bryan Mbeumo is predicted to be the main striker, while Benjamin Šeško, after his recent contribution, will be hoping to get minutes.
Tottenham will pose a tough test through their hard-working midfield and quality in finishing; however, the increased structure and positive vibes of United might just be the final factors in a game. With Fernandes delivering and also with Carrick’s tactical acumen coming through, the team on home soil will see this as their greatest chance in recent history to put an end to Spurs’ reign and thereby register an emphatic home win against them.
