Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United face off in what is a must-win tie for both teams to salvage their 2024/25 campaigns.
Two fallen titans of English football clash in Sunday’s Premier League blockbuster, as Tottenham Hotspur host a resurgent Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both clubs, plagued by inconsistency, are battling for pride, redemption, and a crucial three points to keep their fading European ambitions alive, at least mathematically.
Ange Postecoglou’s arrival at Spurs last summer heralded hope and attacking football, but after a blistering start, the Australian’s side have suffered setbacks on all fronts. The optimism surrounding his project was dented by successive exits from the EFL Cup and FA Cup, leaving the UEFA Europa League as their only realistic shot at silverware this season.
Yet, in the Premier League, Tottenham have managed to arrest their slump with a crucial victory over Brentford, ending a torrid four-game losing streak. However, their home form remains a glaring concern. The Lilywhites have now gone over three months without a Premier League win in North London, drawing two and losing five of their last seven at home.
Despite these struggles, Tottenham’s attacking verve remains intact. They have found the net in every home league match this season, barring an uncharacteristic blank against Everton. But defensive frailties have been their undoing, with a worrying tendency to concede late goals, raising questions over their game management.
Postecoglou, who has yet to taste defeat against Manchester United, could join an exclusive group of managers like Unai Emery, Ruud Gullit, and Nuno Espirito Santo, who went unbeaten in their first four Premier League meetings with the Red Devils. But to achieve that feat, he must navigate his side through their woeful home form against a United side brimming with newfound confidence.
While Spurs’ season has been marked by turbulence, Manchester United’s fortunes have been no less erratic. Under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils are displaying glimpses of a tactical identity, but their frailties remain evident.
Manchester United’s FA Cup fourth-round victory over Leicester City came with controversy, as Harry Maguire’s late winner should have been chalked off for offside. Yet, the result propelled them to their sixth win in eight matches across all competitions, indicating tangible progress under Amorim.
However, their last Premier League outing was a stark reminder of their deficiencies. A 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace exposed familiar issues — lack of cutting edge, a disjointed midfield, and vulnerability at the back. It was their seventh loss in 11 league matches, further underscoring the inconsistency that has defined their campaign.
Manchester United’s previous encounters with Spurs this season have been painful. A 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in the league was followed by a 4-3 loss in an electrifying EFL Cup quarter-final tie. Tottenham now have a rare opportunity to complete their first-ever Premier League double over the Red Devils, adding another dent to United’s faltering domestic campaign. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou has been forced to manage a depleted squad in recent weeks, but ahead of this crucial clash, Tottenham Hotspur could welcome back a few key names. First-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and left-back Destiny Udogie are both on track to make their first appearances of 2025, offering a much-needed boost in defence.
Additionally, James Maddison and Brennan Johnson are nearing returns from calf injuries and could be involved in some capacity. However, Tottenham remain without several key players. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are both sidelined with thigh injuries, while Dominic Solanke continues his recovery from a knee issue.
Richarlison is also out due to a calf injury. Meanwhile, Radu Dragusin recently underwent ACL surgery and has been ruled out for the rest of the 2024/25 season. Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert are back in training but will not be available for selection.
Postecoglou is likely to deploy his preferred 4-3-3 formation, emphasising aggressive pressing, quick ball circulation, and attacking fluidity. Guglielmo Vicario is set to return in goal, offering stability between the posts.
In defence, Pedro Porro and Djed Spence will operate as the full-backs, with Archie Gray and Kevin Danso forming the central pairing due to continued absences in the backline. The midfield trio is expected to consist of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, and young Swedish talent Lucas Bergvall, offering a mix of defensive coverage and progressive ball movement.
In attack, Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min will provide width and pace, while Mathys Tel is expected to lead the line, bringing his finishing prowess and creativity to Tottenham’s attacking play.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Gray, Danso, Spence; Sarr, Bissouma, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Tel, Son
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United: Preview and Prediction.
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim continues to grapple with a growing injury list, as Manchester United head into this high-stakes clash without six confirmed absentees. Lisandro Martínez, who recently underwent surgery, accompanies Jonny Evans (back), Luke Shaw (calf), Mason Mount (thigh), Tom Heaton (unspecified), and Altay Bayindir (unspecified) on the sidelines.
Adding to Amorim’s concerns, the manager revealed in his pre-match press conference that there are ‘one or two issues’ within the squad, though he refrained from specifying which players might be affected.
However, the Portuguese boss can take solace in the emergence of young talents, with Alejandro Garnacho likely to earn a start after his game-changing performance in the FA Cup win over Leicester City. Meanwhile, Patrick Dorgu, who made a peculiar debut as a right-sided winger in that match, is expected to return to a more familiar role on the bench.
Manchester United are expected to line up in a dynamic 3-4-3 system, a formation that allows flexibility in both attack and defence while ensuring midfield control. Andre Onana remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, offering distribution and shot-stopping ability. The back three will likely consist of Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, and Lenny Yoro, providing a combination of experience and youthful energy.
In midfield, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot will act as wing-backs, offering width and defensive coverage. Manuel Ugarte will be tasked with shielding the backline, while captain Bruno Fernandes operates as the creative heartbeat in the center. Finally, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho are expected to support Joshua Zirkzee, who will lead the line as the focal point of Manchester United’s offence against Tottenham.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Onana; de Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dalot; Diallo, Zirkzee, Garnacho
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United: Preview and Prediction.
Key Stats
Tottenham Hotspur are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games against Manchester United (W2 D2) and are looking to complete the league double over the Red Devils for the first time since 1989/90.
Manchester United have conceded at least twice in each of their last four Premier League games against Tottenham – the last time they conceded multiple goals in five or more consecutive league games against a single opponent was Arsenal (five games between 1975 and 1978).
Tottenham have already beaten Manchester United twice this season (3-0 in the Premier League and 4-3 in the League Cup quarter-final). Spurs last defeated United three times in a single campaign in 1989/90, while the last team overall to beat Manchester United three times in a season was Chelsea in 2012/13.
Tottenham are looking to win back-to-back Premier League games for just the second time this season, having previously achieved this feat in September – their two victories back then also came against Brentford and Manchester United.
Tottenham are winless in their last seven Premier League home games (D2 L5), marking their longest such run in the competition since an eight-game streak without a win from March to October 2008. Their five home defeats in the last seven matches exceed the total number of losses in their previous 17 home league games (W13 D0 L4).
Player to Watch
Mathys Tel
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The French wonderkid, known for his pace, technical ability, and eye for goal, has quickly settled into life in North London, offering a dynamic option in attack for Ange Postecoglou. His ability to operate both centrally and from wide areas makes him a constant menace for defenders, and his performances have already begun to justify Tottenham’s significant investment.
However, what adds even more intrigue to this contest is Tel’s transfer saga during the winter window. The 19-year-old was strongly linked with Manchester United, with reports suggesting that he favoured a move to Old Trafford at one stage.
Manchester United were in dire need of attacking reinforcements, and Tel was seen as a perfect long-term addition to their frontline. But as negotiations dragged on, Tottenham swooped in and convinced the Bayern Munich forward to choose North London over Manchester.
Now, just over ten days later, Tel finds himself lining up against the very club he once considered joining. His motivation will undoubtedly be sky-high as he aims to show Manchester United what they missed out on. Given United’s defensive struggles this season — having conceded at least twice in each of their last four league meetings with Spurs — Tel could prove to be the game-changer once again.
With his pace and direct approach, he will be looking to exploit the gaps in United’s backline, particularly against a defence that has struggled for consistency. A goal or standout performance against the club he once saw as his ideal destination would only add further narrative to what is already an intense Premier League showdown.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester United
Expect an entertaining affair filled with attacking sequences, individual brilliance, and defensive errors. While Spurs may have the edge in attack, United’s experience in grinding out results could see them escape with a point. Both teams will feel a draw is insufficient, but it would ultimately reflect their current shortcomings.