Manchester United begin their season this Saturday against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford hoping to start the season on a better note than they did last year.
The Red Devils were back in Manchester last week after ending their pre-season tour of America with three wins and one defeat. United finished last season in fourth position in the league but with a very good summer in terms of transfers, they will be looking to hit the ground running. Last year Manchester United were unbeaten in this fixture, drawing 0-0 at White Hart Lane on Boxing Day before dismantling Spurs 3-0 at Old Trafford in one of their best performances of the season.
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Tottenham on the other hand completed pre-season after their participation in Audi Cup in Munich on Wednesday. Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be looking to do better this year as they again finished with a Europa League position last year.
Ahead of the opening fixture of season 2015-16,lets us have a look on the key battles which will decide this clash.
Harry Kane vs Manchester United Centre Backs
Harry Kane enjoyed a sensational season last year as he scored 21 goals in the league with the Englishman overall scoring more than thirty goals in his debut season as a first-team footballer at Spurs. Kane has given a torrid time to defenders in the league with his clever runs and exquisite finishing. Despite a disappointing Under-21 Euros, Kane would be the one to look out for this season.
Manchester United still haven’t solved their defensive problems in the market. Louis van Gaal confirmed that either Phil Jones or Chris Smalling will start with Daley Blind in the heart of the defence, with reports suggesting it’ll be Smalling that gets the nod.
Smalling will have to be alert with Kane’s movement. The English defender kept Kane quiet last time Spurs visited Old Trafford while Blind on the other hand will have to defend cleverly as he cannot match Kane for pace or height.
Holding Midfielders vs Attacking midfielders
Manchester United deployed their attacking signing Memphis Depay just behind the striker during pre-season, rather than his favoured left wing position. Depay is one of the most promising youngsters in Europe and has the dimension of unpredictability to his game. He has got tricks, flicks and a brilliant touch in his armoury .Moreover his onfield chemistry with Wayne Rooney has been growing on the tour and the Reds will be keen to help that grow.
Nabil Bentaleb will have a task on his hand to nullify Depay’s pace and creativity. The Algerian, who cemented his place in Pochettino’s side last year, is a good tackler and always at the right place while regaining the ball.
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On the other hand Spurs have Christian Eriksen, their best player after Harry Kane last year. Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick will have to isolate the Dane from the game or else he might create havoc with his crisp passing and link-up play with Harry Kane.
Wayne Rooney vs Jan Vertonghen
Manchester United’s captain will have to deliver this season as he will be able to play in his favoured role following the departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. The English captain is expected to be the twenty plus goals striker this season for United. Last season Rooney impressed while playing as a centre forward and while he may not have scored many goals, he was used in various roles to fill in the gaps. His off the ball movement creates space which allows his team-mates to flourish.This is one of the reason why midfielders chipped in with crucial goals in big matches last season and with his finishing still sharp, he could be the main man in the Premier League this season.
Vertonghen has been a tidy defender for Spurs.With the departure of Younes Kaboul he will have the responsibility of leading the defensive line.The Belgian is a good reader of the game will have to avoid giving space to Rooney and unsettle him quickly in the game. Along with fellow countryman Toby Alderweirld, he will have to stop the interplay between Depay and Rooney if Spurs are to stand a chance of taking all three points back to London.