Manchester United vs. Tottenham: 6 Key Battles to Watch

A few weeks ago, there wouldn't have been a bookie in all of Manchester who'd have taken a bet other than "United beats Tottenham".

A few weeks ago.

In the last two weeks, the lads of North London have stripped away their underwhelming ways and won two consecutive league matches by an aggregate score of 5-2.

This is in stark contrast to a side that started the season with a loss and two draws, with both draws the result of poor performances at home.

Saturday is the first real test for Tottenham and it couldn't come at a better time—newcomers Clint Dempsey, Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen and Gylfi Sigurdsson have made their presence known in their short time at White Hart Lane, gelling well with Harry Redknapp-era leftovers like Jermain Defoe, Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker.

It'll be the individual battles that determine whether Manchester United earns three points or if Spurs can hold on to grab one (or three!) on the afternoon.

Join me as I present the six individual battles that will determine Tottenham's fate at Old Trafford this Saturday afternoon.

Jan Vertonghen vs. Javier Hernandez

Ajax export Jan Vertonghen has done well in his short time at White Hart Lane.

After what seemed a solid preseason, new Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas didn't think Vertonghen was the best guy to plug in at centre-back.

And then Younes Kaboul got injured.

With Kaboul's injury, youngster Steven Caulker got a little bit of playing time, but it was in last weekend's match against Queens Park Rangers that Vertonghen punched his ticket as Tottenham's centre-back of the future. The 25-year-old won countless tackles and participated in counter-attacks with ease, leading the charge that earned Spurs their second goal.

It'll be important for Vertonghen to neutralize Manchester United's Javier Hernandez, an unconventional player who uses his athleticism to wreak havoc in the final third.

If Vertonghen wins and Hernandez is ineffective, there'll be a lot of pressure on Robin van Persie to step up and put the Red Devils' offense on his back.

If Hernandez wins and Vertonghen is beaten, well, let's just say North Londoners will be hoping for the match to end around the 60-minute mark.

Kyle Walker vs. Alexander Buttner

If Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas takes the same tactical approach against Manchester United as he did in his side's 3-1 win over Reading—and why wouldn't he?—Spurs right-back Kyle Walker is going to be at midfield along the right sideline for most of the match.

Which is exactly what Tottenham needs if Alexander Buttner is going to be stopped.

Buttner has challenged an underperforming Patrice Evra for the starting left-back position through his superb support on offense and the athleticism to get back and play strong, physical defense. Sir Alex Ferguson will stick with the young Dutchman and it'll be Walker's job to neutralize the 23-year-old.

Gareth Bale vs. Rafael

This one's simple—Rafael's on a high from his incredible performance against Liverpool and Gareth Bale hasn't had a bad day yet this season.

It'll be an unstoppable force-immovable object situation and I fear Bale, in an environment like Old Trafford, will be edged out by Rafael who was superb last weekend against Liverpool.

The only way Bale can win this one is if he gets a couple of good runs in the first few minutes and discourages Rafael early on. The Red Devils defender was so effective against Liverpool because his man, Fabio Borini, was stuffed time and time again, allowing Rafael to keep his spirits up.

Discourage Rafael early and Bale will have won the day.

Clint Dempsey vs. Nemanja Vidic

This is the battle I'm most excited to see and I'm sure most North Londoners are waiting to see—not because Clint Dempsey is a top-tier playmaker, but because he's one of a new-look Spurs side.

He represents the most Premier League experience of any of Tottenham's summer signings and he's coming off a monster season at Fulham in which he scored 23 goals in 46 appearances for the Cottagers.

If Manchester United are able to keep Jermain Defoe from scoring and if Rafael has another monster game, it'll be up to Dempsey to orchestrate something at the top of the key and feed someone unlikely the ball.

Someone like...

Sandro vs. Paul Scholes

I love bold predictions. I love Sandro and I think this kind of match screams for some kind of wacky goal from the unlikeliest of places.

Enter Sandro.

The 23-year-old has had some trouble finding a regular place in the starting lineup, but with Manchester United's offense, and their vulnerability to the counter-attack, I could see Villas-Boas putting a player like Sandro in who is quick to push up with the offense, get in the final third and fire off a random 25-yard shot.

Sandro's ability to shrug off the ageless Paul Scholes will be the difference between frustration and the kind of confidence that produces out-of-the-box shots.

Scholes has the technical ability, intelligence and game awareness to keep up with Sandro. What Scholes doesn't have is the athleticism.

If Sandro keeps his energy up the entire match, and doesn't let up on physical play, he'll overwhelm the 37-year-old.

Jermain Defoe vs. Anders Lindegaard

There's no doubt that Jermain Defoe is just what the doctor ordered for Tottenham's scoring woes this preseason.

His four goals through the first five weeks this season is tied for second in the league. Defoe is a great finisher, not because of technical ability, but because of quick reflexes and unorthodox ball control in the opponent's box.

For Tottenham to get on the scoresheet, they'll need to confuse Lindegaard, and the best way they can do that is through Defoe firing off one of his signature shots.