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The D-Day is almost here. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won all of his first five games after taking over as a caretaker manager at Manchester United, but his first real test comes this weekend, against a phenomenal Tottenham Hotspur side. Mauricio Pochettino's team are 10 points ahead of United, but they have scored just 3 more goals. However, they have also conceded 11 fewer goals, which is the reason why they are currently third in the table.
United will be looking for avenge the 3-0 defeat from the home game, but Solskjaer will be aware of the threat possessed by the opposition. Tottenham have lost 5 games already this season, the same as United, which will give United the belief that they can nick a result from Wembley.
Tottenham were beaten convincingly by Wolves at the end of December at home, so Solskjaer will know that with the right tactics, he stands a chance to continue his good start to the season. And he will also rely on these 6 players, who will be crucial for Manchester United against Tottenham at Wembley.
#6 Victor Lindelof
The Swede has been phenomenal for Solskjaer so far, displaying the confidence and technical abilities that led to him being labeled the Ice-man at Benfica. Victor Lindelof has been strong in defense, has shown a stellar understanding of the game and has also been the pick of the defenders in recent times. However, it is also his development as a player that has been one of the biggest positives for Manchester United at the start of the new year.
Lindelof had a mixed time under Mourinho this season, but was showing hints of regaining his form during the later stages. On Solskjaer's appointment, the Swede finally received the support he deserved. With the team laid out in an attacking formation, Lindelof's on the ball abilities and passing range instantly came to the fore. He found a lot of space to maneuver his skills and the runners in front of him gave him a lot of options to move the ball. The presence of a consistent defensive pairing also helped him regain confidence and control.
Lindelof is averaging 48 passes per game this season and has registered 25 tackles so far, the most among the central defenders at United. He gave a stellar display of strength against Newcastle, where he successfully kept Rondon at bay, earning United the first clean sheet under Solskjaer. Against Tottenham, the Swede will have to be at his best again and will have to marshall his defense against one of the best attacks of the Premier League.
#5 Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic has been phenomenal of late and has flourished under Solskjaer's tactics to once again resemble the marauding midfielder who knocked the air out of his opponents at Chelsea a couple of seasons ago. He had been an ever present figure at the center of the United midfield under Mourinho, but his performances had been deteriorating with every passing game. The Serbian is an excellent midfield anchor; however, he needs movements ahead of him to dictate the proceedings. Once Solskjaer returned Manchester United to the free flowing football of the good ol' days, Matic found his footing again.
The Serbian has the second most tackles in the team and the third most interceptions. His range of passing has been a welcome addition to the United weaponry under Solskjaer. Everything still goes through Matic at United, but it is what he does with the ball that has suddenly added a new dimension to the United attack. The Serbian still guards his defense, however, he is not static at the base of the midfield anymore. He does his work more in the opposition half and when he has the ball, he prefers to catch the runs through the channels ahead or spread the play. This has worked brilliantly for United so far.
Against Tottenham, Matic will be tasked with helping his defense cope with the opposition attackers. However, when he has the ball, Solskjaer will want his Serbian to unleash his attackers from the deep.
#4 Ander Herrera
Arguably the final piece of Manchester United's midfield jigsaw, the Spaniard keeps this United team ticking. He rarely hogs the limelight, preferring to work silently in the backdrop, but Ander Herrera almost always has a role to play in everything good coming out of that United midfield. The Spaniard adds the bite to the United team, yapping away at the opposition and his infectious energy is ridiculously contagious. His presence has enabled Matic to regain his lost form, while Pogba has used the insurance to break free. However, the Spaniard does not just improve everyone this team, it is the things that he brings to the table that makes Herrera such a vital player for Solskjaer.
The Spaniard covers every blade of grass on the field in the 90 minutes. He defends, he tackles players and he wins back the ball. Herrera has the most tackles in this team and the second most interceptions, even though he has played just 14 games so far and has started in just 9. Solskjaer had no doubt in his abilities, which is why the Spaniard has been a constant in his team.
Herrera is the unofficial leader on the pitch and his ability to take responsibilities will be vital for Solskjaer against Spurs. On Sunday, the Norwegian will be hoping that his midfield dynamo stays in his best form.
#3 Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial's unpredictability is his biggest asset. Currently United's joint top scorer, the Frenchman has been a consistent performer this season and has improved even further under Solskjaer. Martial is a vital part of the United front three and has made that left side his own this time. In fact, he has been so good that Sanchez has been relegated to a role from the bench.
The Frenchman's combination with Luke Shaw has been fantastic as usual and those two have worked in tandem to give the opposition defense nightmares. One thing that Martial has added to his game under Solskjaer has been positional flexibility. He drifts inside from the left as usual, but now even pops up on the right side and runs the channels through the middle. Marking the Frenchman, as such, has become harder with each passing game. But Martial's most important improvement in recent times has been his confidence.
As a result of his new found confidence, his finishing has improved and there is clearly a change in attitude. He has also flourished under Solskjaer's tactics, which allows him to run at defenders without worry and he has formed a great partnership with Pogba and Rashford, which is a great sign for the future. On Sunday, Martial will be expected to keep the Tottenham fullbacks at bay and the opposition midfield busy, as the Frenchman continues to be a crucial part of Solskjaer's team.
#2 Marcus Rashford
Solskjaer deserves all the credit in the world for his handling of Marcus Rashford since taking over at Old Trafford. The English youngster is the only player who has featured in every game for the Norwegian and it is a sign of the trust that Solskjaer puts in his young sensation. In truth, he deserves all the attention from his manager, because he has been brilliant recently.
Rashford's pace has troubled the opposition since the start of the season, but his finishing lacked substance. The tricks and skills used by the Englishman also had an essence of immaturity; however, all that has changed in recent times. Rashford's development in the last five games has been astonishing and he is currently United's most lethal weapon. His drive and relentlessness instills fear into the opposition and the Tottenham defense, even with all their experience and steel, will not like Rashford running at them.
The Englishman has scored 6 goals from 18 games in the Premier League this season, but he is coming into the game in a fine run of form, where he has scored 3 goals from the last 4 games in the league. Against Tottenham, his speed and technical abilities will be crucial for Solskjaer.
#1 Paul Pogba
The Frenchman is the most important player at Manchester United right now and marked the start of Solskjaer's reign with a return to form. He set up 2 goals in the game against Cardiff City and then scored a brace in the next two games, against Huddersfield and Bournemouth. Against Newcastle, Paul Pogba looked a little tired, which is why after more than a week's rest, he should be raring to go against Tottenham.
Solskjaer's first act after taking over at Old Trafford had been reinstating Paul Pogba into his team. The Norwegian has also granted Pogba a license to roam and play his natural game, and has given him all the freedom in the world. A little trust from his manager has done wonders for the Frenchman now, as he finally looks like a World Class player again. Having the security of Herrera and Matic alongside him has given him wings.
Pogba's abilities on the ball are second to none, while his hold up play and awareness has improved significantly. The Frenchman has also been excellent with his late runs into the box and has taken the game to the opposition in a welcome change. Against Tottenham, Solskjaer will rely on Pogba's vision and creativity to unlock the opposition defense. He is, after all, the Norwegian's main man.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and they do not necessarily represent the views of Sportskeeda.
