Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United: The Preview

Manchester United will make their way to the capital to do battle with Tottenham Hotspur as both teams sit level on points in the Premier League and are within distance of being inside the top three. This is the first time we have met since the Europa League final, in which Brennan Johnson scored the only goal to seal Spurs’ triumph in Europe.

Ruben Amorim deserves the plaudits after turning around the Reds ‘ bumpy start to the season, after a 3-1 defeat away at Brentford at the end of September, which has now followed with three consecutive wins and a 2-2 draw to Nottingham Forest last weekend in the Premier League. United were leading at the City Ground through a Casemiro header, but this soon evaporated after the break, as within five minutes of the restart, goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona turned the tie around. Amad Diallo’s stunning strike from outside the box, nine minutes from time, saw us salvage a point from the game.

Amorim, who has won the Premier League Manager of the Month award for October, had said he believes the players are “giving everything” and can push the club further up in the table. He also wants the players to keep the energy levels up after noticing a drop off against Forest.

Currently sitting eighth in the table and only behind Spurs and Chelsea on goal difference, United will be looking to put on a run of five games without a defeat for the first time since January/February 2024. The Reds are winless in their seven encounters with Tottenham across all competitions, drawing one and losing the other five.

Manchester United Team News

For United, there is only one injury concern at the moment, which is Lisandro Martinez. Though the defender has returned to first-team training after a serious knee injury, it is more likely that Ruben Amorim will hold off his comeback to the match-day squad until after the international break. Harry Maguire made the bench for last week’s visit to Nottingham Forest, as Amorim will decide whether to draft him back into the lineup or keep Leny Yoro alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw in the defence. Bruno Fernandes is likely to be paired up with either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte, though it is probably likely to be the Brazilian international in centre midfield.

Manchester United PREDICTED Lineup

Lammens; 

Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; 

Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; 

Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko

Opposition Preview

Tottenham suffered a 1-0 home defeat to their London rivals Chelsea last weekend in the Premier League, which saw the players booed at the full-time whistle. They redeem themselves midweek in the Champions League by cruising past Copenhagen 4-0. Spurs were leading 2-0 before Brennan Johnson saw a red card, which then followed with Micky van de Ven running the length of the pitch to score probably the goal of the season in Europe’s elite competition. Joao Palhinha scored the fourth to wrap up their second win in the League Phase fixtures.

Spurs have shown progression this season, though have had a wobble recently. Thomas Frank will be hoping his side can build a good run of form as he believes his squad have taken a ‘step forward’ both in their style and structure but it remains to be seen whether their goalscoring display in midweek will be the start of the turning point.

Currently sitting sixth in the table are just a point behind third-placed Liverpool. They head into Saturday’s match looking to win three consecutive top-flight games gainst United for the first time since the 1959/60 season, having completed the double over the Reds last season. However, Tottenham have lost the most Premier League games (9) at home in 2025. It is only in 1994 and 2003 that they reached double figures for home defeats.

Tottenham Team News

Spurs have several injuries to contend with as James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin (all knee), Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma (both ankle), Ben Davies, Kota Takai (both thigh) and Archie Gray (calf) remain in the treatment room. Lucas Bergvall return to the squad for the game against will come too soon due to concussion protocols.

Mohammed Kudus is a doubt after he missed the win over Copenhagen midweek with a knock. This could see Brennan Johnson drafted into the starting eleven on the right wing, as either Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert look to cement their place on the opposite flank. Richarlison will be battling Randal Kolo Muani for a place in the attack. Joao Palhinha and Djed Spence are expected to be back in the side, with the latter taking the place of Destiny Udogie in the left-back role.

Form Guide

Manchester United Premier League form: LWWWD

Tottenham Premier League form: DWLWL

Tottenham form (all competitions): DWLLW

Prediction

Saturday’s lunchtime game could go either way, with both teams looking to find that consistency this season. The previous two games ended in tight affairs, but this could be more of an open contest this time round as it will be Spurs’ aggressive build-up versus United’s rapid counter-attacks. If the Reds’ attack clicks in North London, then hopefully we will bring back the three points to Manchester.

Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Manchester United