Tottenham Hotspur take on Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League this Sunday.
Spurs were dumped out of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively last week and the back-to-back eliminations from domestic cup competitions, combined with miserable form in the Premier League, has put Ange Postecoglou under huge pressure. He will be seeking a rousing response from his boys, as the Lilywhites aim to climb the table.
Meanwhile, Manchester United delivered yet another unconvincing display and needed a stoppage-time Harry Maguire goal—which was offside and would have been chopped off had VAR been in operation—to beat Leicester City 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round. The Red Devils, like Tottenham, have been in underwhelming form in the Premier League and remain desperate for points.
On that note, let us take a look at the key battles that could define Sunday’s mouthwatering game.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United – Key Battles
#3 Mathys Tel vs Matthijs de Ligt
Having joined on loan from Bayern Munich on the January transfer deadline day, Mathys Tel has made an immediate impression at Tottenham. The highly-rated forward has shown glimpses of potential across two games and scored a late consolation in Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Ange Postecoglou could hand the Frenchman another start on the left flank in Spurs’ 4-3-3 system. As a result, Tel could come 1v1 with his old Bayern teammate, Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch defender was an unused substitute in Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Leicester, so he should be fresh to start as a right-sided centre-back in a back three here.
A cool finish from El Matador 🧊@ECavaniOfficial scored on our visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October 2021 🇺🇾#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 14, 2025
De Ligt has to take the responsibility of monitoring Tel’s elusive movements in the final third. Tel, meanwhile, will try to get the better of his old Bayern pal and cause problems for the porous Manchester United defence.
#2 Bruno Fernandes vs Pape Matar Sarr
With Ruben Amorim not convinced with either Casemiro or Christian Eriksen as Manuel Ugarte’s partner in midfield two, Bruno Fernandes will be crucial in running the show from a deeper role on Sunday. The Portuguese international’s creative edge gets a bit blunted playing as a No.8, but Amorim expects his compatriot to be calmer and more measured with his actions on the ball in this system.
This could be an excellent opportunity for Pape Matar Sarr to impose his presence in the middle third, given the Manchester United skipper’s lack of ball-winning skills. The Senegalese is known for energy, aggression and work rate, and he will look to restrict Fernandes from enjoying too much space and time on the ball.
As for Fernandes, the onus will be on him to facilitate the midfield with his impressive passing range whilst evading the Tottenham high press, led by the highly energetic Sarr.
#1 Amad Diallo vs Djed Spence/Archie Gray
Amad Diallo has undoubtedly been Manchester United’s brightest spot in an otherwise underwhelming campaign. With six goals and as many assists in 22 Premier League games, the diminutive Ivorian is a key player for the visitors and can exploit Tottenham’s defensive fragilities with his flair, dribbling and movement. He is expected to occupy one of the No.10 roles in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
However, Diallo will have to deal with Spurs defenders Archie Gray and Djed Spence on the night. Gray and Spence have hugely benefited from an unprecedented injury situation at Spurs, enjoying regular game time in recent months. To stop the Manchester United attacker from making inroads, they will need to double-team him.
But if Diallo is in the mood and gets fed by the midfielders in the right spaces, he single-handedly could wreak havoc against Postecoglou’s side.