Game week Three of the Premier League closes out with the match of the round as Manchester United welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford on Monday night.
Jose Mourinho’s men will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways after being stunned by minnows Brighton, while Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be looking to make it three wins in a row and pile further misery on their rivals.
The Red Devils have won in each of their last four home meetings against Spurs in the Premier League, with the Londoners’ last victory at Old Trafford coming in January 2014.
Can Spurs put a nail in their Old Trafford hoodoo? Find out what our writer thinks.
To Win
Man United 16/10
Draw 22/10
Tottenham 18/10
Manchester United
Manchester United failed to build on their opening day 2-1 victory over Leicester City as Mourinho’s side succumbed to a 3-2 defeat away to Brighton last Sunday. It was arguably their worst performance under the Portuguese boss and it was made even more humiliating as the Seagulls fans sang “Your city is blue” in the final moments of the game.
The duo of Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof were culpable and further emphasized Mourinho’s need for a quality centre-back during the recent transfer window. But with the market closed, whatever Mourinho’s concerns are about his defence, he has to address them quickly, after all, Bailly and Lindelof were his signings.
United have really missed Antonio Valencia and Nemanja Matic in the side and 
with the experienced duo back in full training, Mourinho will be hoping to call upon their services. Alexis Sanchez also missed the defeat to Brighton after picking up a problem in training and Mourinho was unable to confirm whether the Chilean would be fit.
“I don’t know really. Let’s wait for the results of the studies, but I don’t think it’s a big thing. I think it will be one or two weeks maximum,” he said.
One thing that will give United fans some confidence going into this game is that they’ve beaten Spurs in each of their last four home meetings. The Reds also conceded the fewest goals (9) on their turf last season, while winning 15 of their 19 games in front of the Old Trafford faithful, losing twice. Mourinho also got the better of Pochettino when their teams last met, with United claiming a 2-1 victory at Wembley in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Tottenham
Tottenham maintained their 100% start to the season as they beat newly-promoted Fulham 3-1 last Saturday at Wembley Stadium, with Harry Kane breaking his August hoodoo by scoring a Premier League goal in the month for the first time while Lucas Moura and Kieran Trippier also got their names on the scoresheet.
Spurs now turn their attention to Monday’s clash against Manchester United and Pochettino says their trip to Old Trafford is a test of their title credentials.
“In the end, England did not win, just like Tottenham did not win last season,” Pochettino said. “We are here to win, not to come second, third or fourth. We are here to be first. In our squad, only Hugo Lloris won the World Cup.
“We need to show we are winners. Old Trafford next week will be another challenge and it will show whether we are ready to compete for big things or not.”
Tottenham have a notoriously awful record at United, having lost in each of their last four trips to the Theatre of Dreams, failing to score in all of those games. But after seeing United’s poor display against Brighton last Sunday, Pochettino’s side will fancy their chances of leaving Old Trafford with maximum points.
After finally ending his August goal duck, Kane will go to Old Trafford with renewed energy. The England captain, who scored 52 goals in 59 games last season, will look to capitalize on United’s defensive frailties and fire his side to victory.
Probable line-ups:
Man United: 4-3-3
De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Bailly, Young; Matic, Fred, Pogba; Alexis, Mata, Lukaku.
Tottenham: 3-3-3-1
Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Dier, Davies; Lucas, Eriksen, Alli; Kane.
Prediction: Tottenham (18/10)
This is a perfect time for Spurs to take on United. Two games into the league season and Mourinho’s men look woefully unprepared for the months ahead. Spurs look really good and what’s important is its August and Kane is scoring. I’m going to back a victory for Pochettino’s side.
Chadley Nagel
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