Backsliding Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will each be searching for a momentum-changing outcome after they meet on Sunday in North London.
United (8-11-5, 29 factors) and Spurs (8-13-3, 27 factors) discover themselves in thirteenth and 14th place within the Premier League, respectively, amid simultaneous woeful winters. The edges have solely 5 league wins between them because the begin of December (together with 15 losses and three attracts), and their respective fanbases could each contend they’re the league’s largest disappointments of the season.
Even United boss Ruben Amorim — who debuted in late November as Erik ten Hag’s substitute — lent his opinion on who was dealing with extra scrutiny between himself and Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou.
“I can perceive the connection between me and Ange,” Amorim mentioned. “We’ve got the identical issues however, with all due respect, I am in an even bigger membership with greater strain. …
“He is a great man, an excellent coach, he desires to play soccer in the precise method and that could be a superb factor. We all know after we select this type of occupation it is a good factor, however then it’s important to really feel that strain when you do not win.”
Amorim is right that Manchester United have the much more adorned historical past. Nonetheless, it is Spurs who’ve fallen additional within the desk after a vivid begin to their second season underneath Postecoglou, who noticed his group take 10 factors from its first six league fixtures. That included a 3-0 drubbing of United at Outdated Trafford again on Sept. 29.
Spurs’ league slide, mixed with the very fact they continue to be in UEFA Europa League competition, has Postecoglou combatting claims that he’s saving a few of his gamers battling harm for his or her subsequent continental responsibility in early March.
“We’re not all or nothing on something,” Postecoglou mentioned. “We nonetheless wish to progress within the league. We’re not proud of the place we’re in. There are nonetheless vital video games. It isn’t like there’s a few video games to go. There may be nonetheless lots of soccer to be performed within the league, and we wish to handle our league place and end the season robust.”
Attacking midfielder James Maddison is probably the most vital contributor who has returned to well being and availability for Spurs. He leads the group with eight league objectives. Nonetheless, the 2 teammates proper behind him with seven objectives every — Brennan Johnson (calf) and Dominic Solanke (knee) — stay out.
United performed their FA Cup fixture final week with out Mason Mount, Jonny Evans and Altay Bayindir, and Amorim didn’t say explicitly who can be unavailable for Sunday.
–Area Degree Media
