The Tottenham team that should start the midweek tie in Manchester
By Aaron Coe
A somewhat depleted Tottenham Hotspur travels to Manchester to face the Red Devils on Wednesday in a massive midweek tilt at Old Trafford. How will Spurs line up?
Tottenham Hotspur continues their run of games before the World Cup with a trip north to Manchester to face United at Old Trafford. Both teams are battling injuries and availability as much as each other, as the battle of attrition before the big dance is quite real. For Spurs, the absences mean Conte’s first decision is how the club will line up.
3-4-3 or 3-5-2 for Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United?
For Tottenham, the major absences are in the attack, where Richarlison is out, and Dejan Kulusevski is most likely unavailable. This lack of regular starting options in the attack does make it seem more likely that Conte would opt for a 3-5-2 formation. However, at his presser on Monday, the Italian gaffer stressed his preference for the 3-4-3, talking up Lucas Moura and Bryan Gil as possibilities to play in a front three.
Realistically against a team like United on the road, the 3-5-2, a more conservative approach, seems the more logical choice, and it is the formation we are choosing for our projected XI for the game.
Tottenham Forwards to Face the Red Devils
Barring a last-minute illness or injury, there is little intrigue over who starts up front for Tottenham, especially in a two-striker formation – Heung-min Son and Harry Kane.
Forward – Harry Kane
Our talisman has been in the goals this season, with nine League goals in 10 League games. This is a good sign because Kane has struggled against United historically, with only five goals and six wins in 17 career matches. The more positive news is that three of Kane’s five goals against United have come in the last two seasons, and Spurs will need goals Wednesday.
Forward Heung-min Son
Seemingly closer to top form, Sonny will need to be at his best in Manchester. Whereas Kane has struggled against United historically, Sonny has languished in his 15 career games against United. United is arguably Son’s toughest opponent, with only three goals and one assist. Wednesday, that history is likely to start to change.