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Injuries invariably play a critical role in any football match, and this week is no exception. Tottenham will be without their captain, Son Heung-min, who is sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained during their Europa League fixture. As stated, "Son has failed to recover in time from the injury he sustained against Qarabag." In his absence, Timo Werner is poised to make a significant impact, as he "needs to improve on his uninspiring cameos so far this season." Conversely, Manchester United welcomes back Mason Mount and sees the return of Marcus Rashford to the starting XI following a brief spell on the bench, underscoring Ten Hag's tactical rotations.
Manchester United's injury list remains substantial, with key figures such as Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof still unavailable. As Ten Hag noted, "We have to cope with this and get the best out of it and match the expectations that everyone has." [Simon Peach, The Independent] The absence of these players intensifies the pressure on the remaining squad members to step up and deliver a robust performance to secure crucial points.
For both teams, the ability to adapt to these changes will be vital. Tottenham's manager, Ange Postecoglou, remarked, "We’ve had to suffer those things a fair bit, key players missing out - you just have to learn to cope without him." [Karl Matchett, Yahoo Sports] This resilience will be tested at Old Trafford as both teams strive to capitalize on their opponents' vulnerabilities.
The midfield battle will serve as a focal point in this match, particularly with United's new signing, Manuel Ugarte, slated to make his first Premier League start. Ten Hag emphasized the necessity for control, stating, "If you want to control the game, then you need again a high performance level." [Karl Matchett, Yahoo Sports] Ugarte's capacity to disrupt Spurs' attacking flow will be crucial, especially against the creative presence of James Maddison, who has been in fine form.
Postecoglou has instilled an attacking philosophy within Spurs that will test United's defensive cohesion. This is underscored by the fact that "Spurs have performed surprisingly well in several key metrics," highlighting their attacking prowess. Meanwhile, Ugarte's role will be essential in establishing the necessary balance to counteract Spurs’ high-energy midfield.
Expect a dynamic midfield encounter as both teams vie for dominance. The effectiveness of Ugarte against the creativity of Maddison could very well dictate the match's outcome. As noted, "Maddison delivered a superb performance against Brentford last time out," [ESPN.co.uk] and should he maintain this form, he could prove to be a game-changer for Spurs.
Both Erik ten Hag and Ange Postecoglou find themselves under varying degrees of pressure as they approach this critical fixture. Ten Hag's Manchester United has struggled with consistency, and following a disappointing draw against FC Twente, he remarked, "We have to be more clinical in certain situations." [Jack Cunningham, talkSPORT] The mounting criticism of his tactics and player selections has intensified the focus on him.
Conversely, Postecoglou, while not under immediate pressure, recognizes the significance of this match for sustaining Spurs' positive momentum following a series of victories. He mentioned, "We are going in a good direction, I think, in the last couple of weeks on many aspects of football." [Simon Peach, The Independent] A win at Old Trafford would not only solidify his team's resurgence but also enhance confidence ahead of upcoming fixtures.
The managerial duel promises to be captivating, as Ten Hag seeks a response from his players while Postecoglou aims to demonstrate that his attacking philosophy can flourish even in the most challenging environments. The stakes are high, and both managers will be eager to secure a vital victory for their respective teams.