Both teams started 2024 by progressing to the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Red Devils secured a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic, while Ange Postecoglou's team emerged as 1-0 winners against Burnley.
For Erik ten Hag and Manchester United, 2023 was a year of two halves, and they have begun 2024 aiming to continue their pursuit of domestic success. Despite a couple of scares, they overcame League One side Wigan in the FA Cup, with Diogo Dalot's fine finish and a controversial Bruno Fernandes penalty on January 8.
While Newport County and Eastleigh fans are eagerly anticipating a potential glamour tie with Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup, Ten Hag's team now shifts focus back to the Premier League after a mediocre start to the new term.
The positive vibes from their remarkable Boxing Day comeback against Aston Villa faded with a 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on December 30. This result has left the Red Devils in eighth place, nine points away from a Champions League berth.
Facing scrutiny in front of Sir Jim Ratcliffe this weekend, Manchester United is at risk of enduring 10 top-flight losses for just the fifth time since the Premier League's inception. While Ten Hag's position is not believed to be under immediate threat, the Dutchman doesn't enjoy the same job security as Ange Postecoglou, who led his team to a 2-0 victory over the 20-time English champions in just his second Premier League game as manager.
Although not entirely smooth sailing for Tottenham since their victory over Manchester United, they narrowly avoided a replay in the FA Cup against Burnley, securing safe passage with a Pedro Porro wonder strike.
With five wins from their last six matches in all competitions, including a noteworthy 3-1 victory over an in-form Bournemouth, Tottenham finished 2023 just one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
On the road, consistency has been a challenge for Tottenham, with only one win in their last four Premier League away games. However, they have maintained a scoring record on rival turf in the top division since a 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in early March.
Having broken a five-game winless streak against Manchester United in the summer, Tottenham is on the verge of achieving their first double against the Red Devils since the 1989-90 season. However, Manchester United's 24 home successes against Spurs stand as the joint-most for any team over a single opponent in Premier League history.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Despite being called up by Cameroon for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Manchester United's primary goalkeeper Andre Onana is expected to continue guarding the Red Devils' goal this weekend. However, Sofyan Amrabat has now joined the Morocco squad.In an unexpected turn, manager Ten Hag provided a positive injury update during his pre-match press conference. He confirmed that Luke Shaw (unspecified), Casemiro (thigh), and Lisandro Martinez (foot) have resumed training and are likely to be in contention for the game. This is a positive development, considering Ten Hag had mentioned earlier this month that it might take "weeks" for the latter two players to rejoin the squad.
Players who were previously affected by illness, such as Christian Eriksen and Amad Diallo, have fully recovered, along with Antony (hamstring). However, Mason Mount (calf), Harry Maguire (groin), Victor Lindelof (groin), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Anthony Martial (illness) are expected to miss out.
While Onana continues with the squad, Tottenham's Son Heung-min, Pape Sarr, and Yves Bissouma have joined their respective national teams, and Eric Dier has ended his nine-year association with Tottenham to join Bayern Munich.
Despite some departures, there are new additions to the squad. Postecoglou might give debuts to RB Leipzig loanee Timo Werner, a former target for Manchester United, and ex-Genoa defender Radu Dragusin this week, pending the latter's work permit approval.
Micky van de Ven returned to the matchday squad against Burnley after a lengthy absence due to a hamstring concern. Cristian Romero is back in training following a similar issue, but Postecoglou has mentioned that he only has a slim chance of being involved.
On the injury front, Ben Davies (hamstring) and Giovani Lo Celso (unspecified) are ruled out due to problems picked up in the FA Cup. They join James Maddison (ankle), Dane Scarlett (muscle), Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee), and Alejo Veliz (knee) on the sidelines.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester United possible starting lineup:Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Porro, Emerson, Van de Ven, Udogie; Skipp, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Werner; Richarlison
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester United 1-1 Tottenham
While a fully-fit Tottenham team, known for their goal-scoring prowess away from home, might be considered the favorites for Sunday's match, injuries and international call-ups have taken a toll on Postecoglou's squad. This may result in a closely contested stalemate, delaying Tottenham's quest for a double over Manchester United.
