Manchester United vs Tottenham news: European football hangs in the balance at Old Trafford
Manchester United's Jadon Sancho (left) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
The battle to finish in the top four continues this Saturday evening as Manchester United welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford.
Towards the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's managerial reign at Manchester United, Antonio Conte was one of the main contenders to take over the position.
However, with the Red Devils slow to act, it was Tottenham who pounced on the opportunity and signed the Italian in November 2021.
When the visitors arrive at Old Trafford this weekend, Conte might take a second to ponder 'what if' he had taken the Manchester United job instead.
In truth, the 52-year-old would probably be in a similar position. Spurs and United feel like peas in a pod at the moment. They are both looking to break into the top four, they are both terribly inconsistent, they both need to do some serious business in the summer and they both have fans whose moaning dial is currently up at 11.
The only major difference appears to be ambition. While the Manchester outfit is throwing money left, right and centre - whether it's well spent is another matter - Spurs on the other hand have sleepwalked their way though recent transfer windows.
With that in mind, Conte will be looking to show United what they missed out on, and prove to Spurs why they should invest more.
When: Saturday, March 12, 17:30 GMT
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
Where to watch: Sky Sports
Who is the ref for Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur?
Jon Moss will leave his record store in Leeds and make the short trip across the M62 as he officiates Saturday's main event.
Man United have endured mixed league results under Moss, having lost 4-1 to Watford but also managing wins against Burnley and West Ham.
Spurs have enjoyed four games under Moss's stewardship, winning three of them.
Season stats 2021/22: Premier League matches (19), yellow cards (45), red cards (4), penalties (4)
Recent form
March was always going to be billed as a season defining month for Manchester United with league fixtures against City, Spurs and Liverpool.
The Red Devils didn't exactly get off to a bright start following an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the hands of the league leaders.
However, it's not necessarily the scoreline which most fans will have a problem with. It's the manner of the defeat.
Man City enjoyed 90% possession in the closing stages of the match as United simply gave up. Should that be the case against Tottenham, United could be in for another tough night.
Speaking of Spurs, Conte's men are arguably the most inconsistent side in world football.
Three weeks ago, Tottenham put on a classy performance in their 3-2 win over Man City. However, that result counted for nothing as just four days later, the team fell to a 1-0 loss away at Burnley.
Spurs bounced back with a 4-0 win over Leeds, but then faced an embarrassing defeat in the FA Cup at the hands of Middlesbrough.
Conte's men recovered from their cup blow by beating Everton 5-0 last Monday night.
Last time out
Tottenham 0-3 Manchester United (Premier League - October 30, 2021)
Man United ended Nuno Espirito Santo's short stay at Tottenham with a 3-0 thumping in London.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 40th minute to give his side a first-half advantage.
Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford finished the job with two second-half efforts.
Players in form
Bruno Fernandes endured one of his worst Man United performances as his side went 4-1 down to Manchester City. It wasn't all his fault though, considering Rangnick put the player up front as he tried to throw his opponents a curveball.
Except for that one poor outing, the 27-year-old has been a consistent performer for the Red Devils.
In fact, in his last five games alone, Fernandes has bagged two goals, two assists and won the man-of-the-match award for his performance against Brighton.
With regards to Spurs, the man to watch is Harry Kane.
The England international recently overtook Thierry Henry on the Premier League's all-time goalscorers list.
In his last five games alone, Kane bagged five goals, one assist and produced three man-of-the-match performances.
Managers' thoughts:
Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick on the significance of beating Spurs: "We are full aware of importance of tomorrow. We have to win that game, fully aware of that. We've had a good week of training."
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte on Harry Kane: "We are talking a world-class striker. I am very lucky to have a player like him, to work with him, because I always said we are talking about a fantastic player, but at the same time he is a fantastic person. He is always available to work, work hard, give example to the other players."
Predicted Manchester United vs Tottenham teams
Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani are expected to return after missing last weekend's Manchester derby. Raphael Varane is also back in training and could feature.
However, Rangnick is likely to be without Luke Shaw (illness) and Scott McTominay (calf injury).
Tottenham will be without Ryan Sessegnon who suffered a muscular problem in Monday's victory over Everton.
Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga will remain on the sidelines.
Possible Manchester United starting line-up: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Telles, Pogba, Fred, Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga, Ronaldo
Possible Tottenham starting line-up: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Davies, Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Reguilon, Kulusevski, Kane, Son
Manchester United vs Tottenham prediction
Everything depends on what type of Spurs team arrives at Old Trafford. If it's the one which beat Manchester City three weeks ago, Conte's men will celebrate all three points.
However, if it's the Tottenham team which lost to Burnley, then Man United will return to winning ways.
Spurs look the better side at the moment, and the first of those options seems more probable. With that in mind, back a narrow win for the visitors.
