Manchester United host Tottenham at Old Trafford this weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur go into this weekend’s run of fixtures carrying something that Thomas Frank’s roster haven’t had in a while, a sense of belief.
Given that the Lilywhites came back fighting from a two-goal trail to secure a draw against Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend, we saw the North Londoners finally rediscover that sense of confidence and cohesion in the second half that has not been on display almost all season.
And many Tottenham supporters would be hoping that the draw against City would be a turning point in what has been a difficult campaign domestically.
To put it into context, Tottenham are sitting 14th on the table ahead of this weekend’s run of games. And this is where every point feels significant.
But standing in Tottenham’s way this weekend would be Manchester United, who have found their sense of form under Michael Carrick, who has taken charge of proceedings at M16 on an interim basis.
Carrick has come in, and there has been this massive upturn in form at United, as they managed to win three consecutive games, which included wins against Manchester City and Arsenal.
So two clubs who are digging deep in search of this renewed confidence will now run shoulders this Saturday to get a gauge of their rejuvenation.
And here we take a look at three key individual battles that can end up shaping the outcome when Michael Oliver blows that final whistle.
Manchester United vs Tottenham: Three key battles
Cristian Romero vs Matheus Cunha
If the Argentine World Cup winner is fit enough to start, he has to be on the pitch to mark out the inside runs that Cunha makes (something that led to his goal vs Arsenal as well).
The former Wolves forward has been one of the more dangerous attackers at United since Carrick took charge, given how he is constantly drifting between lines and driving directly at defenders.
And this needs confrontation, exactly something Romero is good at. He needs to use this front-foot approach to disrupt any sense of rhythm for Cunha.
But if Cunha steps away from it and turns his back, United will surely try to pick the space behind him (especially someone like Bruno). This is where Van de Ven will have to ensure covering that space and making sure that Mbeumo does not open his body, leaning into his stronger left foot.
Dominic Solanke vs Harry Maguire
Dominic Solanke has returned from injury and finally found his sense of belonging at Tottenham. He has been in superb form of late, and that brace against Manchester City would do a world of good to his confidence.
But he would be running shoulder-to-shoulder directly against Harry Maguire, someone who has quietly become a key cog in stabilising United’s back line.
And while the former Leicester City centre-back will cherish a physical battle, it is Solanke’s movements that will keep on causing him problems.
Solanke is really good at knowing when to isolate his marker and when to move away from him, so he can cause a lot of problems for Maguire.
But we have to see if Solanke is fully fit after his ankle problem last week. But if he is fit and ready to go, he alone can cause massive problems for Man United (ask City; they know).
Joao Palhinha vs Bruno Fernandes
Bruno is still the heartbeat of everything that United creates, and this is what makes it the most important duel on that Old Trafford pitch this weekend.
In straightforward words, Palhinha has one job (it just sounds simple but is tough to execute on the pitch): to stop Bruno.
Frank will want to suffocate United in those central zones, and that is only possible if Palhinha can consistently disrupt Bruno’s plumes. This forces United to play wide, which slows any attacking momentum (and direct threat).
But if Bruno finds even a send of space to himself, United’s vertical transitions can end up in a shot quickly.
