Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United: 5 key battles | Premier League 2020-21

#3 Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) vs Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur)

Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

Manchester United prefer to play on the counter-attack, thanks to their pacy forward line.

Academy product Marcus Rashford symbolises the aforementioned philosophy, as his immaculate first touch and decisive finishing make him a lethal customer on the break.

Marcus Rashford now has more Man United goals than David Beckham.He's only 23 😱👏 pic.twitter.com/iPpBD8lDet

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 5, 2021

However, Rashford could have a slightly trickier assignment on Sunday, as he will come up against Cote d'Ivoire international Serge Aurier.

The former PSG man has been in and out of Tottenham Hotspur's playing XI this season due to personal and fitness-related reasons. While Jose Mourinho has chopped and changed at the right-back position several times, he has certainly looked the best of the lot.

Rashford could be a major goal threat against Tottenham Hotspur, so Aurier's handling of the English international could be a deciding factor in the match.

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#4 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) vs Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur)

Manchester City vs Manchester United - Premier League

Bruno Fernandes has been in stellar form for Manchester United this campaign, especially in the Premier League, where he has registered 16 goals and 11 assists.

He is a strong contender to win the PFA Player of the Year award, and Sunday's game will be another opportunity for him to be a difference-maker for Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho is known to use a man-marker in high-profile games to take the opposition's most influential player out of the contest. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will likely carry out that responsibility against Manchester United, with Bruno Fernandes his expected target.

Hojbjerg has arguably been Mourinho's most trusted foot soldier this campaign. His commanding presence in midfield has allowed Tottenham Hotspur the upper hand in many games. But he could have his hands full on Sunday against the in-form Fernandes.

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#5 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) vs Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace - Premier League

This could be arguably the most enticing matchup of the night when the two teams lock horns at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Harry Kane's talismanic performances have kept Tottenham Hotspur's hopes alive for a top-4 finish, while Harry Maguire' solid presence in the starting lineup has been a key factor in Manchester United's success this season.

Seven years ago today, Harry Kane scored his first Premier League goal.Now he has 162, eighth on the all-time list and 98 goals behind Alan Shearer’s record. pic.twitter.com/HVKXPcetsx

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 7, 2021

Maguire is known to play aggressively, unsettling forwards early in the game. Kane, meanwhile, has morphed into a hybrid of a no. 9 and a 10, scoring when presented with a chance and supplying when necessary.

Both Harry Kane and Harry Maguire have been in sublime form in the ongoing this season. But the former could have a slight edge over the centre-half because of his ability to conjure goals out of nothing.