Tottenham began life under new manager Ange Postecoglou with an encouraging 2-2 draw away to Brentford last weekend. They also tasted what the goalscoring challenge will be like without striker Harry Kane who has joined Bayern Munich.
But Cristian Romero who was withdrawn due to a head injury stepped up to connect with a James Maddison cross for the club’s first league goal. Emerson Royal who looks reborn under Postecoglou then levelled, scoring Tottenham’s second goal of the season to earn a valuable point.
Romero has been back in training and manager Postecoglou is likely to stick him back in the team with no new injury concerns reported ahead of the crunch game against visiting Manchester United this weekend.
Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Bentancur and Byran Gil are all still out with injuries having missed the Premier League opener- but Richarlison who is tasked with scoring the goals now that Kane has left looks sharp and would have benefitted from another week of uninterrupted training.
Club captain Son Hueng-min will have a lot to say if Spurs are to take all three points against Erik ten Hag’s team, last season the South Korean striker played with an injury so it will be interesting to what the added responsibility of leadership does to his game.
Tottenham have won just one of their last nine Premier League games against Man Utd (D2 L6), and are winless in five against them (D1 L4) since a 6-1 away win in October 2020.
So with everything in mind and the stakes as high as they are, here is the team manager Ange Postecoglou is likely to pick.
9. Micky van de Ven-6
A rough start to the game. Got turned easily by Rashford on a couple of occasions. Improved as the game travelled on. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Destiny Udogie-7
You really can see why the manager picks him. Strong and with a technique that will be unstoppable when polished. | AFP via Getty Images
11. Pedro Porro -7
Comes in for Emerson Royal and absolutely bosses it. | Getty Images
12. Ben Davies -6
Came in and got is goal | Getty Images