Man. United vs. Tottenham: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream & TV Info
Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur is a fixture which has produced many memorable clashes over the years.
Louis van Gaal's men go into this one knowing that anything less than a win is bordering on a disaster for their hopes of reaching the Champions League next season. The same could be said for Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs, who are currently three points behind Van Gaal's side.
Date: Sunday, 15 March 2015
Time: 4 p.m. GMT/noon ET
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Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD (UK Only) / NBCSN (US Only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK Only) / NBC Sports Live Extra (US only)
Form Lines
Tottenham Hotspur: WLDWW
Manchester United: WLWWL
Team News
Van Gaal has told MUTV that Robin van Persie is the only player who will definitely be absent from United's squad. He also said that Marco Rojo has a "minor problem," per the club's official Twitter account.
Pochettino is apparently dealing with an entirely injury-free squad, per Tottenham's official website. The head coach is quoted as saying, "All players are fit. It's difficult to select the squad, but this is my job."
Predicted Line-ups
From a United perspective, Van Gaal has some interesting decisions to make. Assuming Rojo is available, he is probably the first-choice centre-back. He will be missed from the middle of the pitch should he be required to once again cover for Luke Shaw at left-back.
Marouane Fellaini has been a fixture for United recently, but Van Gaal should look to mix it up and include Juan Mata in the starting XI. His performance in the first 45 minutes against Spurs at White Hart Lane during the festive season run of fixtures was one of his best in a United shirt.
Adnan Januzaj should come in for the suspended Angel Di Maria. If Michael Carrick does play, it is crucial that Van Gaal uses him as a replacement for Daley Blind rather than Ander Herrera. If Carrick and Blind play together, United lack for link-up play between attack and midfield, as indicated by the second half of the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Credit to Alistair Tweedale of WhoScored.com for the predicted Tottenham XI. It is an attacking line-up, which certainly contains the tools to threaten United.
Players to Watch
Wayne Rooney has been in good goal-scoring form since being moved to centre-forward. If Januzaj does come in for Di Maria, it will be interesting to see whether he continues his improved form. Ashley Young's remarkable resurgence means that he is now one of United's most crucial outfield players.
For Spurs, the partnership of Christian Eriksen in attacking midfield and Harry Kane up front has been a remarkably successful one. They will certainly be players to keep an eye on in this one.
Key Battle
The battle between midfields could be decisive. If Spurs can press hard and deny United time on the ball, the Red Devils may revert to Plan B, especially if Fellaini is on the pitch.
The flanks could be another key battleground. There is a good deal of pace on either side, and counter-attacks may prove crucial.
Odds
The odds for the game, at the time of writing, per Odds Shark are:
Manchester United Win: -105
Draw: +277
Tottenham Win: +325
