Almost a year ago in October 2010, this same fixture saw a controversial goal by Nani who after Gomes put the ball down thinking that Spurs had been given a free-kick for a handball by Nani. And our record at Old Trafford is not encouraging. So calling it “tough” to start our Premier League season with this away encounter is putting it mildly in my opinion. Yet, we can always hope!
In the last 20 matches against Spurs, the Red Devils have won 15 and drawn 5. I am hoping we would break this horrible record this weekend. United are forced to field a makeshift backline as the established central defensive pair of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are expected to be on the sidelines for two and five weeks respectively. This means that United’s defence will have a distinctly young look to it over the coming weeks, starting against Spurs, as Phil Jones (19) and Johnny Evans (23) are set to deputize in the centre, with Chris Smalling (21) likely to fill-in at right back for Rafael Da Silva. The Red Devils have also gone 5 premier league games without a clean sheet.
Spurs will be confident after playing fantastic flowing one-touch football against Hearts last Thursday in the Europa League playoffs. With Modric returning after sitting out in midweek, the Lilywhites have the speed and quality to take the game to United. I think we will see a 4-4-1-1 formation with Bale, Modric, Huddlestone and Lennon anchoring the midfield, and van der Vaart sitting between them and Defoe upfront. A winning start to the league would be gravy but I would take a draw away as well.
COYS!!!
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