Red Devil Armada
Fansided

Manchester United vs Tottenham: PREDICTED STARTING XI

By Ollie Slack

facebooktwitterreddit

Manchester United take on Tottenham tonight at Old Trafford hoping to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Brighton last weekend. Here is our predicted lineup for today’s game.

Last Sunday’s performance was one all Manchester United fans will want to move on quickly from. A number of players did not perform well.

It’s easy to look at the defenders straight away and both Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof’s performances were not anything to be proud of. However, United did not look potent in attack for all but five minutes of the match.
It’s easy to look at the defenders straight away and both Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof’s performances were not anything to be proud of. However, United did not look potent in attack for all but five minutes of the match. /

Therefore it begs the question will Jose Mourinho not only change the team selection this week but will he change his style of play as well. Considering he is coming up against a top-six rival, I very much doubt Mourinho will do anything other than sit back and absorb pressure, hitting Spurs on the break.

Gary Neville suggested United may switch to a three at the back system after Bailly and Lindelof’s horror show last week. Chris Smalling has been on the bench both times this season and Mourinho seems to trust the Englishman despite not playing him this season.

Smalling played frequently last season both prior and post Christmas. He had successful partnerships first with Lindelof and then Bailly in his run in the team. Therefore a switch to three at the back with Smalling in between the other two is a real possibility.
Smalling played frequently last season both prior and post Christmas. He had successful partnerships first with Lindelof and then Bailly in his run in the team. Therefore a switch to three at the back with Smalling in between the other two is a real possibility. /

Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial returned to the pitch last week, perhaps either one of them could start in place of Juan Mata on the right if Mourinho sticks with the 433 formation. The pace of Martial or Lingard would trump Mata’s when counter-attacking spurs.

And with Nemanja Matic expected to return it looks as though Andreas Pereira’s brief but promising stint in the side will come to an end. Alexis Sanchez and Antonio Valencia could return too with Diogo Dalot also being part of the 18-man squad.

Next. Manchester United vs Tottenham preview: United and Mourinho need to react quickly after tiring week. dark

Predicted starting XI: 1. DAVID DE GEA, 3. ERIC BAILLY, 12. CHRIS SMALLING, 2. VICTOR LINDELOF, 18. ASHLEY YOUNG, 17. FRED, 31. NEMANJA MATIC, 6. PAUL POGBA, 7. ALEXIS SANCHEZ, 9. ROMELU LUKAKU (352).

Home/Manchester United News