Michael Carrick, a man who can seemingly do no wrong, looks to make it four wins from four as United’s interim boss when he welcomes a familiar face in Hottenham Totspur to Old Trafford.
United head into this one as the league’s in-form side, the only team still unbeaten this calendar year. Confidence is high, momentum is building, and for the first time in a while, there’s genuine excitement around kick-off.
That said, Spurs are not an opponent United can take lightly. They’ve caused us plenty of problems in recent years, none more painful than last season’s forgettable Europa League final.
The question now is whether the good vibes can continue into another lunchtime test at Old Trafford.
Predicted Lineup
Carrick has so far shown himself to be a manager who doesn’t fix what isn’t broken.
The same core XI has now won three games in a row, with Cunha the only enforced change last time out following Dorgu’s injury. Aside from that, the lineup has remained unchanged since Carrick’s debut in the Derby.
There have been calls for Šeško to start, but it’s hard to see the interim dropping any of Mbeumo, Amad or Cunha given their recent performances and the fluidity they bring to the attack. Mazraoui’s name has also been mentioned, yet Dalot has looked like prime Cafu since Carrick's arrival. He can't be dropped.
Continuity feels like the theme again.
As with last week, though, the real intrigue won’t just be the names on the teamsheet, but how United choose to approach the game. Spurs will offer different problems, and this match may tell us even more about Carrick’s flexibility and bravery than the results that came before it.
Approach
Once again, United will be expected to take the initiative and dictate the game against Spurs.
That, however, brings its own risks.
Thomas Frank’s side are among the best in the league on the counter-attack, which makes this fixture particularly dangerous if United are careless in possession. Spurs’ strong away record (4th in the away table) only reinforces how comfortable they are playing without the ball and breaking quickly into space.
What worked so well against Fulham was the early goal. Casemiro’s opener inside the first 20 minutes completely changed the dynamic of the game, forcing the Cottagers to open up and allowing United to become the counter-attacking side for long spells.
It wasn’t always pretty, but it was controlled, and it suited Carrick perfectly.
Once again, the first goal feels decisive. United have scored first 15 times this season, second only to City, while Spurs have conceded first more often than they’ve taken the lead themselves. That trend alone suggests there will be opportunities if United start aggressively.
The general plan doesn’t need reinventing: push the line high, squeeze Spurs into their own half, move the ball quickly around the edge of the box, create openings and capitalise. The problem is that doing this against a Frank side is easier said than done.
A high defensive line, in particular, is risky if Carrick sticks with Martínez and Maguire. Neither has the recovery pace to deal comfortably with Spurs’ quick front three, and any loose pass or failed press could immediately expose that weakness.
That’s why I lean towards the more fluid, interchangeable front four rather than a traditional number nine.
Leaving Šeško out feels harsh after his recent impact, but this kind of game demands relentless pressing and movement from the front. Mbeumo, Cunha, Amad and Bruno all offer energy, rotation and the ability to press Spurs’ build-up, something that is less natural in Šeško’s game.
What United must avoid, though, is retreating too deep if they take the lead.
Time and again, this side has looked more comfortable staying on the front foot than defending a low block. Sitting back invites pressure, encourages Spurs to play higher, and increases the chances of late drama.
United’s attacking numbers back that up. With 44 goals this season — bettered only by City and Arsenal — they average close to 2 goals per game and have scored three or more in six matches, again second only to City.
This is a team built to attack.
If United go ahead, the instruction should be to keep pressing, keep moving, and keep asking questions. Control the game through aggression rather than caution. That approach not only suits this squad better, it reduces the need for late heroics — even if it’s reassuring to know they’re capable of those too.
Form
As mentioned, United are currently the league’s in-form side, with three wins and two draws in their last five matches. The last defeat came back on December 21st away at Villa, seven games ago, and that run has lifted United into 4th place for a second consecutive gameweek.
It’s also allowed them to close the gap on City in second to just 6 points. With only five losses all season — fewer than every team except Arsenal — the consistency is finally starting to show.
There is, however, a major flaw.
Defensively, United have been far too open. Conceding 36 goals is the worst record in the top ten, and just three clean sheets all season is simply not good enough. Too often the goals we give up are either completely avoidable or unstoppable worldies — with very little in between.
At an average of 1.5 goals conceded per game, opponents are always given a route back into matches.
The 3–2 win over Fulham moved United up to 6th in the home table, which is progress, but still underwhelming given the talent in the squad.
And then there’s Spurs.
The recent record against them makes for grim reading. In the last eight meetings across all competitions, there have been three draws and five Spurs wins — not a single United victory. The last time United beat Tottenham was October 2022.
That has to change.
Form, momentum and confidence are all pointing in United’s favour, but until they start backing it up in fixtures like this, the sense of progress will always come with a bit of doubt. Saturday is a chance to put one of those long-running frustrations to bed — and show that this run is about more than just good vibes.
Spurs
I don’t like Spurs. Never have.
And their recent record against us only makes it worse. Losing to them in a European final is still one of the most humiliating experiences I’ve had in over 20 years of supporting United. That one still stings.
If it’s any comfort — and that might be stretching it — Spurs are having a pretty crap league campaign. They sit 14th with just seven wins, eight draws and nine defeats from 24 games, leaving them on 29 points.
Which makes it all the more ridiculous that they finished in the Champions League top eight. The state of football these days…
Form-wise, they’re one of only three sides without a win in their last five, drawing three and losing two. However, their most recent result was a 2–2 draw against City, coming back from 2 goals down, which at least shows they’re still capable of digging in when needed.
As for how they play — everyone knows it.
It’s basic. It’s dull. But it’s effective.
Spurs are at their best defending deep and breaking quickly, which explains why they sit 4th in the away table. On the road, that style works perfectly.
They also have pace everywhere. Dominic Solanke, Wilson Odobert, Randal Kolo Muani, Djed Spence and Micky Van de Ven give them real speed in transition, and that’s their biggest weapon. Add in their physical presence, and they could pose problems against a United side that doesn’t exactly dominate aerially outside of Maguire and Casemiro.
There isn’t much else to say.
They’re boring. But boring works for them.
And they’re exactly the type of team United hate playing against — organised, patient, and ready to punish mistakes.
Prediction
With the confidence Carrick has restored, the fact that this is at Old Trafford, and the belief clearly running through the squad, I genuinely don’t see United losing this one.
Whether that belief turns into 3 points is another matter.
A win would put pressure on Chelsea and Liverpool and create a small but meaningful gap in the top-four race, which makes at least a positive result crucial.
I’m going with either 2-2 or 3-2 (again).
Nervy. Chaotic. Probably late drama.
What’s your call?
Bruno Fernandes | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)
Old Trafford | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal
Xavi Simons | Image via Tottenham Hotspur official X (@SpursOfficial)