Tottenham Hotspur take on Manchester United on Sunday. Here’s where each club stands and what Tottenham need to do to get 3 points in the upcoming Premier League contest.
Where the Clubs Stand
Talk to just about any Manchester United supporter and they will say they have a great chance at coming away with three points. The Red Devils fans tend to be a bit… emotional. They no doubt forget that there is a massive 10 point canyon between their side and Tottenham. Currently Manchester United aren’t even eligible for Champions League football in their 6th place spot while Tottenham are in 3rd place.
Be that as it may, they will point to the resurgence of Paul Pogba who- after seeming half-asleep for the past 2 seasons- has finally found himself in strong form. After all, he has scored 5 goals in the past 4 Premier League games. Obviously, Red Devil fans will forget that Heung-Min Son also did this. Son, however, is less attention-seeking so it is easier to go unnoticed.
Since United have shed themselves of Mourinho, the club has been performing more on level with their massive transfer fees. New boss
has utilized United’s skilled attack to go on a 4 game win streak. Now, though, they will have to face a top 6 club in Tottenham instead of playing the likes of Cardiff and Newcastle.
Tottenham will be a wake-up call to the red side of Manchester. Spurs have won 6 out of their last 7 matches. It is true that they also haven’t faced a top 6 club in the Premier League lately but they have done so in other competitions. When it comes to this, Tottenham have been in dominant form. They are hot off Carabao Cup victories against Chelsea and Arsenal so they have the firepower to beat Manchester United on Sunday.
How Tottenham Wins
The main reason that Manchester United had been quiet before their current form is that Paul Pogba wasn’t being utilized well. Sure Rashford, Lukaku, Lingard, and Martial are skilled but they don’t have the vision that Pogba has. The former four can score once or twice between each other in a match but Pogba is capable of giving his team the victory. That is why objective number one is keeping the ex-Juventus player quiet.
Moussa Sissoko is the perfect antidote. When engaged, Sissoko can win every one-on-one. He does this by giving attackers no time to think and no space to play. But he can’t do it alone. Even though the young Harry Winks will likely line up up next to Sissoko, he is no match for Pogba.
That is why Pochettino should have Dele Alli come back to help. This is going to be a dirty, rough match so one goal could be enough to get the win. Alli should leave the scoring up to Kane, Eriksen, and Son and help Sissoko keep Man United quiet.
Predictions
Zaph Hutson
2-1 Spurs
It won’t be a pretty 3 points, but it will be 3 points. Spurs have what it takes to stifle the Red Devils’ main weapon. Also, they have plenty of their own.