Manchester United will be hoping that 2024 bring better times after disappointing performances and results during the first half of this season. The Red Devils are back in league action at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as we take on Tottenham Hotspur after making it through to the fourth round of the FA Cup on Monday night. Meanwhile, our opponents came through with a 1-0 win against Burnley to advance in the competition.
United will look to go as they mean as we seek further domestic glory. Though there were a few troubling moments, we managed to come through comfortably in the FA Cup putting two goals past League One outfit Wigan. Diogo Dalot’s excellent strike and Bruno Fernandes’s penalty ensured we did not exit the competition early. We now face another away trip to either Newport County or Eastleigh in the next round depending on who comes out on top in that replay.
United seeking better times
Now returning to Premier League action, Erik Ten Hag’s side needs to hit the ground running to move back up towards the top four and the Champions League qualification places. After the high of our 3-2 comeback win against Aston Villa, the Reds were soon brought back down to earth as we lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest on December 30th. The result leaves us eighth in the table and nine points off the top four.
The manager and players will be playing in front of Sir Jim Ratcliffe for the first time on Sunday after his subsequent purchase of a 25% stake in the club. Another potential record could be broken by United as we are at risk of losing our tenth game in the Premier League this season for only the fifth time in the history of the competition. It has happened in four previous campaigns and three of those saw change in the manager.
Manchester United Team News
Despite being picked by Cameroon for the African Cup of Nations, our number one goalkeeper Andre Onana will be between the sticks for this game before heading off, whilst Sofyan Amrabat has joined the Moroccan squad. In his pre-match conference, Ten Hag issued some good news on the injury front with Luke Shaw (unspecified), Casemiro (thigh), and Lisandro Martinez (foot) all back in training and could be in contention.
Christian Eriksen and Amad Diallo have recovered from their illness and so has Antony with his hamstring injury. However, Mason Mount (calf), Harry Maguire (groin), Victor Lindelof (groin), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Anthony Martial (illness) are set to miss out.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Onana;
Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot;
McTominay, Mainoo;
Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford;
Hojlund.
Opposition Preview
Tottenham were nearly taken to a replay in the FA Cup by a resolute Burnley side. It was thanks to Pedro Porro’s brilliant strike that sealed their passage into the fourth round. That victory means it is five wins out of the last six games as they ended 2023 with a 3-1 win against an in-form Bournemouth to move within one point of fourth-placed Arsenal in the league. They could usurp their North London rivals if they secured all three points at Old Trafford.
There has not been as much consistency away from home for Ange Postecoglu’s side in recent times as they have won only one in their last four. Spurs only 90 minutes from completing their first double over United since the 1989-90 season. However, the Red Devils have 24 home wins over Tottenham, which is the joint-most for any team over a single opponent in Premier League history.
Tottenham Team News
The trio of Son Heung-min, Pape Sarr, and Yves Bissouma have linked with their international teams whilst Eric Dier ended his time at Tottenham by joining Bayern Munich. As one player has gone, Ange Postecoglou has brought in a couple of reinforcements during the January transfer window by bringing in RB Leipzig and ex-Chelsea player Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin from Genoa.
Micky Van De Ven has made his return to the match-day squad last time out against Burnley after overcoming his hamstring concern. Cristian Romero has returned to training after a similar issue though Pstecoglou has confirmed he is likely to miss out.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: WLDLWL
Manchester United (all competitions): LDLWLW
Tottenham Premier League form: LWWWLW
Tottenham form (all competitions): WWWLW
Prediction
Whilst our lack of attacking output has been well-documented this season, with players now returning from injuries this will no doubt give a boost to United and hopefully see us start the 2024 Premier League calendar with a win.
Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
