Tottenham travel to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, with the Londoners in desperate need of all three points to stand a chance of finishing in the top-four of the Premier League this season. Mauricio Pochettino’s side can’t lose any ground on the teams around them, as they’re already playing catch-up in the race for a Champions League position.
While facing Manchester United at Old Trafford would previously be a daunting task, Spurs have an impressive recent record against the Red Devils that could give them confidence of earning all three points. The London outfit are boasting great away form ahead of the meeting too, with six wins from nine games on the road. Tottenham earned a 0-0 draw against United the last time to two sides met, and they impressively boast a five-game unbeaten record against Louis van Gaal’s side in the league too (two wins, three draws).
Manchester United have lost their last two games against the Londoners at Old Trafford, so Sunday’s clash could be three-in-a-row if Pochettino can mastermind a victory. They have enough quality in attack to harm the Red Devils, with the in-form Harry Kane to spearhead the attack, while playmaker Christian Eriksen has harmed United in the past.
United’s form at home has been impressive, but performances have been very underwhelming. Supporters have become frustrated with their showings in recent weeks, and with Arsenal having dispatched of the 2013 title winners at Old Trafford only days ago, they will be fragile on Monday. Manager Louis van Gaal still doesn’t know his strongest starting eleven despite being into the business end to the season, and such indecision has been translating with the players on the pitch.
The Red Devils have a host of underperforming players in the attack, with Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria all struggling in the second-half to the campaign. Tottenham have earned some impressive results against elite opposition, beating Chelsea and Arsenal in the last couple of months. They have only lost two games since early December, so they are in good shape to produce an upset.
Ahead of their United meeting, Spurs have won five of their last seven league games. The Red Devils have won six in eight. It’s all to play for at Old Trafford, with the race for a top-four finish really hotting up. Tottenham are two places and three points adrift, so they can’t afford anything less than a win.
Can Mauricio Pochettino’s side win at Old Trafford?
