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The English Premier League is back this weekend and on Sunday, Mauricio Pochettino men host Manchester United in what will be a thrilling encounter between the two fierce rivals. Tottenham Hotspur won the previous fixture 3-0 at Old Trafford with Lucas Moura scoring twice in the second period.
Gone are the days when the Red Devils used to enjoy playing Tottenham away from home under Sir Alex Ferguson. Back then, United had a formidable record at White Hart Lane- they only lost in three occasions in 21 Premier league outings against Spurs away from home under Ferguson reign.
Unfortunately, since then, Manchester United has never won any Premier league match away at Tottenham. In fact, in the successive five league games under Van Gaal, David Moyes and Jose Mourinho; the Red Devils have never won against Spurs away from home.
This is the worst record in the history of the Premier League. No other team has ever lost four successive away games to a single opponent in the league in this time and age. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be keeping his fingers crossed not to fall victim again to Tottenham this weekend.
In the last five matches, United have registered five wins, a statistic that would favour them heading into this game. It is no brainer that Solskjaer has improved United’s results considerably ever since being hired as a predecessor to Jose Mourinho.
Ever since Mourinho was axed as Manchester United manager after a controversial spell at Old Trafford, the club is back to winning ways. There is no doubt Solskjaer has improved this team in recent weeks.
However, how United approach this game on Sunday will make all the difference. Losing to the same opposition for the fourth time in the last five league matches is something United are looking forward to avoiding. In that regard, this is what United needs to do to shun away from defeat in the hands of Tottenham.
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1. Keep Harry Kane quiet
The England international is one of the best strikers in the world. Kane is a lethal striker with star qualities. There are good strikers and extremely good strikers, and Kane falls in the latter category of extremely good strikers.
The Tottenham striker scores all kinds of goals- headers, long-range efforts, tap-ins, and has the ability to finish with both his feet. I mean, this player is extremely clinical. His goals have continuously given Tottenham an edge over their rivals in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier table.
If Manchester United players fail to keep hold of Kane on Sunday, we will be talking about a different result here. Any lack of concentration by any of the Manchester United defenders will see Kane punish United. The likes of Jones and Erick Bailey will have to double mark him for the whole 90 minutes- if the Red Devils are intending on getting some positive result at Wembley.
2. Play Attacking Football
One of the biggest mistakes most teams make when playing against Tottenham is playing deep. In the previous fixture, we saw Manchester United play a more defensive game at home which cost them dearly- losing 3-0 to Spurs.
On Sunday, the Red Devils need to take the game to Tottenham by instilling a more attack-minded mindset. Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard should press the Spurs defence high up the pitch and not be tasked with any defensive duties.
Caretaker manager Solskjaer cites Pep Guardiola as his role model in football aspects and it is visible in the way Manchester United are playing. United players have been very dominant with or without the ball. This attacking brand of football should continue this way on Sunday at Wembley.
Final Thoughts
Playing Tottenham Hotspur away from home will be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's biggest test this season as Manchester United manager. It is easier to say that this game has come at the perfect time for the Red Devils. Actually, a win here at Wembley will indeed boost the team morale after an intoxicated season under Mourinho.
But then again, defeat in the hands of Mauricio Pochettino will disrupt Solskjaer perfect start as caretaker manager. However, a defeat in the hands of Tottenham will not in any way take away what the new manager has achieved so far.
Paul Pogba looks rejuvenated under the new interim manager. Pogba has overcome the demons that troubled his relationship with the previous manager Mourinho. Now the Frenchman looks happy and more revitalised under Solskjaer. Will Pogba end Manchester United’s hoodoo at Wembley on Sunday? Well, let’s wait and see.
