More than a week ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Manchester United, the two managers got into a miniature war of words.
We wouldn’t have it any other way, as the mind games, especially if Jose Mourinho is involved, are just as much a part of the spectacle of this game, as the action on the pitch. Mourinho has faced United twice in the league since receiving the sack from them, losing 2-1 at Old Trafford and drawing 1-1 on home soil.
Needless to say, he’ll be looking to finally get one over on his former employers.
Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester United FYIs
Kickoff: Sunday, Oct 4, Old Trafford, 4:30 BST
Starting XI Predictions: Tottenham
Odds: Tottenham win 3/1 Draw 14/5 United win 66/67
Mourinho’s Tottenham side come into this one with a couple of major disadvantages. Solskjaer has a nearly fully fit side while Spurs will be without a key player or two. Additionally, Spurs had a ridiculously overcongested run of fixtures in September, and this will be their final match before a very welcome international break.
Manchester United Starting XI Prediction at Brighton
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, Van de Beek; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Prediction: United 2, Tottenham 1
Tottenham are in better form right now, and I do believe that when all is said and done, they’ll finish higher in the table among these two teams, but right now the Red Devils have a huge advantage when it comes to overall rest and fresh legs.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank, partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and SB Nation. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.