
Date: Sunday 14th January, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm
Stadium Old Trafford
Referee John Brooks (England)
Goal Scorer:
Manchester United
Despite Andre Onana’s call-up to the Cameroon national squad, the keeper will guard the goal for Manchester United at the weekend and then make a dashing trip to Ivory Coast to play 24 hours later for his nation. Erik ten Hag does have Altay Bayindir but might prefer to start Onana.
On the injury front, Manchester United received a massive boost with the fitness of some of their key stars. Injured trio Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Casemiro will be involved at the weekend, while Tyrell Malacia might also making the squad.
Mason Mount remains absent, while Sofyan Amrabat has left to represent Morocco at the AFCON. Amad Diallo, Antony, and Christian Eriksen, who missed the trip to Wigan Athletic, are also back in contention, meaning ten Hag has a good enough squad.
Some key players are still out injured, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof still missing. Ten Hag may not want to rush some of his recently returned stars, meaning he will likely retain some of the faces who have played some games lately.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Tottenham
Spurs’ January business has seen two players, Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin, enter the door. The latter still has work permit issues to resolve. But Postecoglou was confident it would come through and insisted the Romanian might feature at the weekend.
If that is the case, Postecoglou might include Dragusin straight into his lineup, with defensive injuries still an issue. Cristian Romero has rejoined training, but the manager insisted the Manchester United game might come too soon.
Ben Davies is also looking at a month or so out of action with a hamstring injury, although Tottenham have Micky van de Ven back in contention. So the Dutchman can take the left side of central defence. Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro will complete the backline for Spurs in their full-back roles.
Key trio Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and Son Heung-min have joined their national squads, so they will be missed for the next few weeks. With a move for Werner already finalised, the German could start for Tottenham against Manchester United, replacing the South Korean on the left-hand side of the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Udogie; Hojbjerg, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Werner; Richarlison
Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
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