This Sunday’s game between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur should be more fascinating than the previous meeting at White Hart Lane. It won’t be hard to top as that one ended goalless. The winner would be decided by any small mistakes made by the two amazing goalkeepers David De Gea and Hugo Lloris.
The line-up, from Sports Bank Contributor and emerging journalist Anand Padmanabhan
We could see the deployment of the 4-1-2-1-2 (diamond formation) in this game (go here to see the lineup formation we predicted) as perhaps this formation will help everyone understand everyone’s role on the team. The stunning David De Gea is obviously the first player who comes to everyone’s mind to be picked for first team in every match. It’s been his massive contributions that have the Reds currently in position to make Champions League.
The back four consists of centre back pairing Chris Smalling and Argentine Marcos Rojo. The chances of left back Luke Shaw featuring in this game is high as he was substituted during halftime as a precaution in the FA Cup against Arsenal. After the wonderful performance of energetic Brazilian Rafael da Silva (an astonishing goal scored) in the under-21 game against Spurs on Monday, it’s a curious puzzle for Louis Van Gaal to solve by choosing either Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia or Rafael.
The midfield trio would be versatile Daley Blind, creative Belgian Adnan Januzaj and the efficient Ander Herrera.
The timely return of experienced midfielder Michael Carrick makes his selection possible instead of Blind in the holding midfield role.
It’s essential to include innovative Spaniard Juan Mata in his suited number -10 position in the upcoming game, as he could create imaginative passes to the forwards. Radamel Falcao and Captain Wayne Rooney would be the ideal partners in the Reds front-line from now and until the season ends with Robin Van Persie out.
To have pace in the final third, the energetic James Wilson could start in place of Falcao that helps to avoid the man-marking of Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen on Falcao and also prevents back passes to midfielders.
Tactics:
Quick passing by the midfield players to maintain ball possession is very vital for Manchester United to keep playing a high tempo game against Spurs
The United defence should tolerate the pressure posed by the current leading goal scorer in the Premier League Harry Kane and skillful Danish International Christian Eriksen playing in the 4-5-1 formation. .
Injury news and Suspensions:
At present Manchester United have only one injured player (Van Persie, ankle) But winger Ashley Young is a doubt to play in the weekend’s game, as he picked up a knock and went hobbling in the previous FA Cup game.
The only suspended player for Manchester United is midfielder Angel Di Maria who received the one match ban for pulling the shirt of referee Michael Oliver in the FA Cup Quarter finals against the Gunners.
For Tottenham, all the players are very fit and none suspended. Also, the return of American wingback DeAndre Yedlin to training inspires the whole team.
.