Manchester United versus Tottenham Hotspur sees two of the Premier League’s chasing pack go head-to-head this weekend. Both sides harboured title plans at the start of this Premier League season and, if they are being completely realistic about their campaign, defeat this weekend will likely see the end of any such ambitions.
Separated by six points, Manchester United need a victory to even stay in touch with the top four, while Spurs look set to at least compete for Champions League qualification. Neither side is quite where they envisaged they would be at this point of the season and both have suffered their fair share of European strife, too.
Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino know this could be a defining point in their respective campaigns. With so much to lose and, frankly, not all that much to gain, this is a match that seems destined for a cagey, low-scoring affair. That prediction could well be miles from the mark, mind.
So, if things are going to get tense, let’s cheer it up a bit with a combined XI…
GK – David de Gea
As wonderful as Hugo Lloris has been this season, David de Gea just about pips him to the goalkeeping spot. Lloris’ heroics have been spectacular, but De Gea’s role in the little success Manchester United have had over the last few seasons has been enormous.
While both register in the league’s top three stoppers, De Gea is the favourite right now. Perhaps Lloris would have greater opportunities to show how good he is if the Spurs defence was less secure.
RB – Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker has dramatically come of age in the last couple of seasons. From a haphazard defender with pace to compensate, Walker has become one of the Premier League’s best right-backs.
Not only improved defensively, Walker has matured in possession. Although Antonio Valencia has had a strong start to this season, the former Wigan man would not be getting in many sides ahead of Walker.
CB – Toby Alderweireld
Centre-backs don’t come much better than Toby Alderweireld in the modern game. The rock that led Spurs’ title challenge last season has been sorely missed of late, but should return to the Lilywhites’ side this weekend.
His reading of the game is exceptional, his distribution is reliable and there are few calmer players in the Premier League. Manchester United sure could do with a defender like Alderweireld, but so could most teams. If anyone doubts how good he is, just look at Spurs’ defending in his absence.
CB – Eric Bailly
Having returned to the side for Manchester United’s game against Zorya Luhansk, Eric Bailly could well feature at the heart of the defence on Sunday. With Phil Jones showing significant improvement and Marcos Rojo limiting his moments of insanity, Jose Mourinho’s defence has coped without Bailly.
That is not to say, however, that Bailly is anything less than a star in the making. The least publicised of Manchester United’s summer signings, the former Villarreal defender was secure throughout the opening games of his Manchester United career and looks a real talent.
LB – Danny Rose
Luke Shaw and Daley Blind have both had their chances at left-back for Manchester United, but neither have looked as good as Danny Rose for the majority of this season. Like his compatriot Kyle Walker, Rose has improved dramatically as a defender over the last couple of years.
Rose has endured fluctuations with form, as most of Spurs’ players have, yet his place in this combined XI is almost unrivalled. If only Shaw could hold down a regular place in the side…
CM – Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba’s position in this team was hardly in doubt. Despite detractors for his performances this season, Pogba is still one of the world’s best players. His quality has been on show throughout his time at Manchester United and he is only going to improve.
Pogba’s age might be an easy excuse for some, but the Frenchman’s price tag should be forgotten – he is a young midfielder. His role will become more defined with time, he will show his worth and Manchester United are fortunate to have him.
CM – Mousa Dembele
Few sporting sights are as remarkable as Mousa Dembele shielding the ball. Taking possession and blocking any threats like his life depends on it, Spurs’ possession is not only more secure, but more fluid when Dembele is in the side.
His role has developed through his career, but he has finally found his niche at Spurs. A player that will seldom grab headlines, Dembele – like so many excellent deep midfielders – is most noticeable when he isn’t there.
CAM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Yet to have a prolonged period of his best form at Manchester United, Henrikh Mkhitaryan still warrants a place in this side. His quality, which we have seen glimmers of recently, is a gift to the Premier League.
Mkhitaryan’s form during 2015/16 was as good as anyone in Europe and his ability to create, beat players and score goals makes him one of the very best attacking midfielders around. Mourinho might just be easing him into regular action, but Manchester United will look a different side once he is fully firing.
RAM – Juan Mata
With poor form troubling Anthony Martial, Dele Alli, Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen for much of this season, its impossible to overlook Juan Mata.
The under-rated genius in the star-studded Manchester United squad, Mata is the man for the big occasion. His goals and assist records continue to impress and few players have influenced big games as much as Mata over the last couple of years. He may not garner all the attention he deserves, but Manchester United are a better side with Mata.
LAM – Son Heung-Min
Between Manchester United and Tottenham there are several players that could feature in the attacking midfield line. Few, however, have performed as well as Son Heung-Min this season.
The former Bayer Leverkusen man has suffered with inconsistency of performance at times, but his scoring exploits have kept Spurs’ heads above water for much of the season. Others could well stake a claim, but his form this campaign gets Son a place in the side.
ST – Harry Kane
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be unimpressed that Harry Kane has beaten him to the no. 9 spot and you can’t really blame him. Saying that, Kane’s form since his injury has been as good as anyone’s and Ibrahimovic’s own limitations continue to restrict Manchester United.
Its not an easy decision, of course, but recent performances mean that Kane just about nips Zlatan to the jersey. In an ideal world, you might just have Zlatan appearing off the bench when you’re chasing a goal.
