Tottenham projected starting 11 for titanic tilt against Manchester United
By Gary Pearson
Tottenham travel north for a pivotal battle against Manchester United on Saturday, with the winner set to take top contender role in the race for fourth.
Antonio Conte will be looking for a gargantuan performance from his team in their most important match of the season to date. The gaffer doesn’t have too many personnel concerns ahead of this six pointer, with just Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga the only two guaranteed not to play.
Ryan Sessegnon was withdrawn at halftime against Everton due to a knock he picked up and probably won’t feature on Saturday. Otherwise, Conte has a fit side to choose from. Here’s Tottenham’s projected starting 11.
Defence
Conte’s first choice rearguard is good to go on Saturday, so expect to see the likely suspects get the nod. Eric Dier, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies will marshal Tottenham’s backline, hoping to secure their third clean sheet on the trot.
Tottenham’s success in the run-in is predicated on two things, one of which revolves around keeping those three healthy. There is a significant drop in level if Conte is forced to call upon Davinson Sanchez.
Midfield
The only change in midfield from Monday’s 5-0 thrashing of Everton will be on the left side, where Sergio Reguilon will come back into the first team, replacing the injured Sessegnon. Reguilon scored Tottenham’s fourth goal less than a minute after being introduced against Everton. He will hope to ride that positive wave of emotion into Old Trafford.
Matt Doherty has worked tirelessly to earn the starting role at right wingback. He played his best match in Tottenham colours against Everton and will want to repeat that performance against the Red Devils.
Emerson Royal will have to wait for another chance to prove himself. If Spurs can continually get elevated contribution from Doherty, anything is possible in the last 12 matches.
Pierre Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur, both of whom were excellent against Everton, retain their positions in the centre of the park.
Forwards and Formation
There is no doubt who starts up front. Lucas Moura has lost his starting role to the surging newbie, Dejan Kulusevski. The Swede adds even more power, energy and tenacity to Spurs’ frontline and joins Son Heung-min and Harry Kane in one of the top flight’s most formidable front triumvirates.
Steven Bergwijn and Moura will look to impact proceedings if need be off the bench. Hopefully their presence will not be required in this one.