The Premier League season gets underway for Tottenham on Saturday, as they travel to Old Trafford to face the challenge of Manchester United.
In what promises to be one of the games of the weekend, the fourth and fifth placed respective teams of the last campaign in England face off as their push for the top four continues for both sides.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side, fresh from a third place finish at the Audi Cup in Munich this week, will be looking to prove many doubters wrong this season, starting against Louis Van Gaal’s Red Devils.
Pre-season form
Unlike their Mancunian counterparts, Tottenham have gone widely unnoticed during pre-season, playing many games behind closed doors up until the final few weeks of preparation.
However, many who have been analysing Tottenham over the past two months have been slightly disappointed in a lack of incoming activity in the transfer market. Having gone under the radar, compared to fellow league teams Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, Pochettino will be looking to continue with his philosophy of a high pressing game involving a number of home-grown youngsters this season.
United, however, have been subject of much media attention all pre-season. They have taken part in the International Champions Cup in America, in addition to a number of big name signings such as Bastian Schweinstiger and Memphis Depay
Van Gaal looks unlikely to stop there in the transfer window, following the sale of Angel Di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee of £44 million – with Barcelona forward Pedro thought to be high on the wish list for the Dutchman
Pochettino has strengthened his backline for the coming season, having conceded over 50 goals last time around, with the signings of Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderwiereld. Despite selling a number of midfielders deemed surplus to requirement, Tottenham have yet to strengthen their midfield or forward line with just weeks to go until the transfer window slams shut.
Previous Matches
In the corresponding fixture last time around, Manchester United ran out victorious in a 3-0 drubbing of Pochettino’s Tottenham side.
Van Gaal’s side went in at half time three goals to the good following strikes from Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney as they all but secured their place in the top four, and a chance at making this seasons UEFA Champions League – subject to a qualifier in the coming weeks.
However, in the two seasons prior to the comfortable success for United last year, Tottenham had won at Old Trafford twice in a row. Having finally ended a baron run at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ in 2012, Tottenham repeated the trick by coming out victorious a year later.
This has given a number of Tottenham players, and fans, the belief that they can once again win at Old Trafford this coming Saturday under the guidance of their Argentine manager.
The fixture at White Hart Lane last season proved to be a much tighter contest, with both sides playing out a goalless draw in the capital. Hugo Lloris secured a point for Spurs with a number of fine saves, and the French captain may have to be at his best once again this weekend.
Team news
Manchester United kick off the season at home with a number of injuries and suspensions to manage. Javier Hernandez, Anders Lindergaard and Marcos Rojo are all ruled out through injury whilst Fellaini is banned.
Tottenham have Alex Pritchard out of the trip to Manchester, whilst Roberto Soldado and Andros Townsend remain doubts. Emmanuel Adebayor and Aaron Lennon are no longer a part of Pochettino’s plans as Tottenham head north with just one fit and available striker, reported United target Harry Kane.
Lloris looks set to return to the starting line up having appeared as a second half substitute in the 2-0 victory over AC Milan on Wednesday in the Audi Cup. Trippier and Alderwiereld are both likely to make their debuts from the start, whilst Dele Alli could make his Premier League debut.
Having experimented in a number of the friendlies , Pochettino could deploy centre back Eric Dier in a less than familiar defensive midfield role to try and nullify the threats of Depay, Juan Mata and Rooney.
What to expect?
With United looking to integrate a number of new signings in quick succession, Pochettino could be looking to take advantage of uncertainty at Old Trafford as both sides aim to kick off the new season with three points.
Tottenham won’t have been helped, however, with a delay in their flight home from Munich which means they won’t arrive back in London until Thursday morning – just one day before they fly up to Manchester.
With Manchester United going into the weekend as firm favourites, Tottenham’s players and fans will be more than happy with a draw in order to get points on the board as soon as possible, whilst getting one of their trickiest fixtures all season out of the way nice and early.