Innocent AndrewAfter being embarrassed by their rivals last weekend, Manchester United will be aiming to return to winning ways later on when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
The Reds were beaten 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium by rivals Manchester City who took advantage of a substandard United performance.
If the cracks had not become clear to see for Ralf Rangnick and United, they definitely are now. Multiple reports have suggested unrest amongst the squad due to Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the Manchester derby.
Kevin De Bruyne single handedly took United’s midfield apart last weekend and helped himself to a brace for good measure. Riyad Mahrez also helped himself to a brace which compounded the misery upon the United ranks.
The Reds have now been surpassed by Arsenal in the league table and find themselves in a precarious situation with the Gunners sitting one point clear with three games in hand over United.
Atletico Madrid make the trip to Manchester in midweek ahead of the Champions League round of 16 second leg. Therefore, the result against Tottenham later today could have huge implications for the remainder of United’s season.
Rangnick and his players can find some joy in the fact that they have been able to string a four match unbeaten run together at Old Trafford since losing at home to Wolves back at the start of 2022.
Antonio Conte’s Spurs side will be brimming with confidence following their 5-0 drubbing over Everton last Monday night.
Harry Kane looked back to his best in the game – scoring two goals and playing a pivotal role in equalling Spurs’ biggest league win since they beat United 6-1 at Old Trafford last season.
Spurs have reignited their hunt for this season’s top four with them only being two points behind United having played two games less.
United ran out 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture with goals from Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford. The result cost Nuno Espirito Santo his job and allowed Conte to come in and rejuvenate a stagnated Spurs side.
Team News
Manchester United lost Ronaldo to a hip problem prior to Sunday’s derby defeat but Rangnick has insisted that the 37-year-old is back in training with the team and will be fit in time for Saturday evening’s clash with Spurs.
Raphael Varane has also returned to first team action after his troubles with coronavirus. Scott McTominay is likely to miss the encounter due to a calf problem. Luke Shaw is also expected to be unavailable after not recovering from illness.
A lack of options in attack may see the return of Rashford to the starting XI and a disheartened Diogo Dalot will be itching to return to the side after being an unused substitute in the last three league games.
As for the visitors, they will be without Ryan Sessegnon who was substituted at half time against Everton last time out with a muscular problem. Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga are also doubtful as the pair are struggling to overcome their current injuries.
Conte is unlikely to make many alterations to the team that played so well against Everton last time out.
Form Guide
The Reds will be searching for a response following the humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City last time out. United can extend their unbeaten 2022 home record to five league games if they avoid defeat on Saturday night.
Spurs enter this one off the back of two of their biggest league wins of the season – beating Everton 5-0 and Leeds 4-0. Despite being knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Middlesbrough, Conte’s side will be looking win in Manchester again after beating Man City 3-2 last month.
Innocent Andrew
