Premier League preview, predictions, team news

Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at Old Trafford this Sunday.

The Red Devils have just played a 1-1 draw against Eredivisie side FC Twente in the league phase of the Europa League. Christian Eriksen opened the scoring in the first half before Sam Lammers equalized late on to secure a point for Twente.

Ahead of United’s midweek game in Europe, Erik ten Hag’s side failed to find the back of the net in a goalless 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The draw was United’s second of the season as the team sit 11th in the table with seven points.

Tottenham took all three points in their Europa League opener at home against Qarabağ FK. Although Radu Drăgușin was sent off in the seventh minute for a lack of concentration in possession, Spurs managed a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke and Pape Matar Sarr.

Tottenham’s final Premier League game went to plan as Ange Postecoglou’s team triumphed 3-1 over Brentford, with Solanke, Johnson and James Maddison canceling out Bryan Mbeumo’s opener.

Current form (all competitions)

A leg injury continues to keep Leny Yoro out of action, while Tyrell Malacia is close to returning from a knee injury that required surgery last year.

“Of course we want to motivate him to return, but that’s not so easy when you’ve been away for so long. It’s been a season now from injury to return, but he’s working really hard, he’s making really good progress at the moment,” Ten Hag said of Malacia.

“He is making great progress, so we think we can expect him in team training in the short term and he is a talent, that goes without saying. I also expect that he will be able to return to the games soon.”

Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelöf are expected to return from their respective calf and muscle injuries in early October.

Predicted line-up of Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur (4–2–3–1): Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martínez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Zirkzee.

Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are the only two players unavailable to Postecoglou for the trip to Old Trafford. Richarlison is recovering from a muscle problem and is on track to return at the end of October, while Odobert is sidelined until mid-October with his hamstring injury.

Postecoglou confirmed that the Brazilian striker is still some way away from playing for Tottenham again: “He’s still quite a way away, I think you should stop asking me about him until I say I have an update . He’s still not training.” “It’s the first team,” said the former Celtic coach before the team’s game against Brentford.

Predicted line-up of Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United (4–3–3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, son.

Tottenham come into the game with more momentum after three consecutive wins in all competitions, while the Red Devils settled for two draws.

Tottenham could come out strong and force United to jump in, defend and hope for counter-attack opportunities. Postecoglou’s team could take a late lead, but their high defensive line gives Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho opportunities to jump forward late.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur