The Big Match Tactical View: Tottenham v Manchester United

Michael Cox
08 April 2016

Toby Alderweireld will be hoping to keep United at bay at Old Trafford

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It's second against fifth in the Premier League - can Mauricio Pochettino record his first victory over Manchester United? Michael Cox assesses the tactical battle, while Alan Thompson reveals his trading strategy...

"The most interesting battle here will be down the flanks, where Spurs’ attacking full-backs could cause United serious problems"

Tottenham v Manchester United
Sunday 16:00,
Live on Sky Sports 1

Match Odds: Tottenham 2.01/1, Manchester United 4.47/2, The Draw 3.711/4.

This clash at White Hart Lane is crucial for both sides, with Tottenham still in the running for the title and Manchester United challenging for the Champions League places. There's also still an outside chance they could end up fighting one another directly in the table - if United won here, and also won their game in hand, they'd be only three points behind.

Mauricio Pochettino's side start as strong favourites, however, and while the Argentine coach has rotated effectively this season, he's named a more consistent side now Tottenham have no other commitments and can concentrate on the league.

Therefore, it's unlikely there will be any significant changes here. Erik Lamela missed last weekend's draw at Liverpool and should return in place of Son Hueng-min, but otherwise expect the same side.

Jan Vertonghen is back in training but unlikely to be risked, so Kevin Wimmer will continue alongside Toby Alderweireld. The rest of the side picks itself.

Louis van Gaal's side is also unlikely to feature many changes from last weekend's somewhat uninspiring 1-0 victory over Everton.

One possible switch is at left-back, where Marcos Rojo was withdrawn at half-time last weekend after a poor performance, and replaced by the promising youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah. Van Gaal has repeatedly thrown youth players into big matches this season, and might do the same again here. Rojo could get a reprieve, meanwhile, if left-sided centre-back Daley Blind fails to recover from a slight injury he collected in the final ten minutes against Everton.

The most interesting battle here will be down the flanks, where Spurs' attacking full-backs could cause United serious problems. In particular, it's likely that right-back Matteo Darmian will be dragged inside by the intelligent drifts of Christian Eriksen, which will open up space for the speedy Danny Rose to overlap into. United's right-sided midfielder, Juan Mata, isn't the most diligent player defensively, and Rose could be afforded lots of space.

On the opposite side, Kyle Walker will attempt to do something similar, but will probably be pinned back by the pace of Anthony Martial. If he does advance, expect Eric Dier to move towards the right into a covering position.

Spurs will also look to attack quickly in behind United's defence. Van Gaal likes playing with a high defensive line, but this could leave United exposed to the runs of Harry Kane, whose pace is often underestimated.

It's also worth considering that Dele Alli makes lots of runs in behind the opposition defence from his advanced midfield role, often to collect long Alderweireld diagonal balls. United have sometimes attempted to man-mark in midfield under Van Gaal, but it will be tough for Michael Carrick or Morgan Schneiderlin to track Alli's runs all the way.

Carrick and Schneiderlin may also struggle against Tottenham's quick press. Both players need time on the ball to play good passes out to the flanks, and might be caught out by Spurs' usual energetic start to matches.

United may cause problems with the pace of Marcus Rashford, who will look to run in behind Alderweireld and Wimmer, and Martial. It remains to be seen whether they can involve their attacking midfielders regularly, however: Spurs press so well, and remain so compact, that penetrative forward passes are extremely difficult. Mata might find more space on the right than in his preferred central role, although central attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard will struggle to see much of the ball against Dier and in-form Mousa Dembele.

United like dominating possession - but Tottenham's pressing could overwhelm them, and the home side are likely to create more chances here.

The Betfair Trader's View: Alan Thompson

Tottenham failed to get the three points they needed at Anfield last week and find themselves seven points behind Leicester City (it could be more by kick off) and only four ahead of north London rivals Arsenal, who have a game in hand.

United are still looking to sneak into a top four position and, with three consecutive home games to follow this, they could yet still get ahead of their neighbours to claim it.

Spurs have only lost one of their last 11 Premier League starts but it still doesn’t look like it will be enough to catch Leicester. But they will still believe it’s possible and will be looking for maximum points again here. Mauricio Pochettino's men have only lost twice at White Hart Lane all season, but they have only won twice against sides currently in the top 12, 4-1 against both West Ham and Manchester City.

The Red Devils have only lost one of their last four (West Bromwich away 1-0), but they have only scored 19 away goals this campaign and are the only side in the top six with a negative away goal difference (-1).

Tottenham’s poor home record against the top half of the league and United’s poor away form leads me to think this could be a draw. United managed to grind out a result against Everton last time and that is what we have come to expect from Louis van Gaal's men. Five of Spurs nine home games have been draws and at 3.65 that looks a fair price to me.

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