This year neither team has a clear advantage over the other, but a run of disappointing results for Manchester United may give Tottenham confidence.
Erik ten Hag and Ange Postecoglou are under pressure to achieve a good result, having recently lost to arch-rivals Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.
Ahead of today’s clash between the Red Devils and Spurs at Old Trafford, sport mail has selected a combined eleven made up of players from both clubs.
Only players who are fit to play have been included. As a result, people like Son Heung-min, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw do not appear.
But who has taken the step? Keep reading to find out…
Tottenham will hope to beat Manchester United and strengthen their top four hopes today
United manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure to deliver results after slow start to the season
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
One of our most controversial picks, Vicario has been impressive for Spurs and, frankly, is much better value for money than Andre Onana was for United.
Most neutrals would agree that Vicario was one of the standout goalies last season and the stats back it up. In fact, he had the fourth-best passing accuracy and the second-most goalie recoveries.
Onana, however, was nothing to sneeze at, with the highest number of saves of the season (149). But while Onana has improved since his United debut and still continues to impress, we feel Vicario’s form is on a more positive trajectory.
Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario received the nod ahead of André Onana.
RB – Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
Porro is currently in good form, good enough to be called up to the Spanish national team last season. Porro has become a key player for Postecoglou’s Spurs and has been effective on the wing.
Now that Dalot plays as a left back, we have decided to play Porro at right back.
CB – Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
Despite his propensity to be booked, Postecoglou has rightly described Romero as “the rock” of the Tottenham defence. Proactive and forward, Romero often makes crucial interceptions in midfield.
Additionally, his accuracy has proven vital to Postecoglou’s aerial game. He currently ranks in the top 10 in the league in passing accuracy. Romero should be a good addition to the team, as long as he doesn’t earn another caution.
Cristian Romero is the cornerstone of the Spurs defense and his passes are crucial
CB – Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)
Our first choice from United. Known for his aggressive defending, which was on full display last week against Crystal Palace, Martínez is a strong addition to the lineup.
Unfortunately, he only played 11 games in the 2023-24 season due to injury, but he is back and capable of making sensational tackles.
Although he has not yet reached his best form, he is the right choice for the other centre-back position in this matchup.
Lisandro Martínez is an aggressive center back capable of facing sensational challenges.
LI – Diogo Dalot (Manchester United)
Dalot completes the back four having done an excellent job in the absence of Luke Shaw. He has adapted very well to playing on the left side of the field despite being right-footed by nature.
He was awarded United’s Player of the Year award for the 23-24 season and was one of the best players on the pitch in their final Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
That makes him a solid left-back option for our starting eleven.
CM – James Maddison (Tottenham)
The England international impressed early last season and has recovered well from his pre-season injury. It is in excellent shape.
Maddison is one of the most attack-minded midfielders in the Premier League at the moment and arguably the most creative player Tottenham have.
He has already scored one goal and three assists so far this season and hopes to add to that tally on Sunday. In short, Maddison is an obvious choice and easily secures his place in our midfield.
James Maddison has caught the eye this season and is arguably Spurs’ most creative influence.
CM – Yves Bissouma (Tottenham)
Bissouma, once a United target, slots in among our other midfielders. He is a versatile player who can score on one side and defend on the other.
Although he struggled during his first year with Spurs, he has been impressive this season, scoring in three of his last four games for club and country.
We believe he will provide balance in an otherwise attack-minded midfield.
CM – Bruno Fernández (Manchester United)
Fernandes is our last choice in midfield. Arguably United’s best player, the playmaker has been one of the most reliable players in Ten Hag’s squad.
Fernandes was United’s top scorer last year in a season in which Marcus Rashford was nowhere to be found and Rasmus Hojlund stuttered in his first campaign in England. Many fans would pay good money to see Fernandes and Maddison play for the same team.
Bruno Fernandes is often reliant on United despite his drop in form this campaign.
ED – Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham)
With the right wing continuing to prove an area of weakness for United, Tottenham’s Kulusevski has fended off competition to fill this position.
Kulusevski has been playing more centrally for Postecoglou this season and has impressed his former critics.
His exceptional speed and stamina would make him particularly dangerous on the wing and he is in excellent shape. Kulusevski makes a good choice here.
Dejan Kulusevki has been selected on the right wing due to his exceptional speed and stamina.
ST – Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)
Spurs opted for Solanke over Ivan Toney and the reasons are now clear for all to see. The £65m ace is a penalty box predator and a reliable creative force when diving deeper around the edge of the box and connecting play.
It took him longer than he would have liked to score his first goal for the club, but now he seems to have found his rhythm. Try to stop it now.
United don’t even take a look at our striker choice. Joshua Zirkzee has yet to make much of an impression and Hojlund has just returned from a hamstring injury.
Dominic Solanke has found his place at Spurs and has been chosen ahead of his United rivals
RHP – Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
Garnacho overtakes Rashford in our final spot, due to his good run, including two goals and two assists against Barnsley. His speed, skill and ball skills are impressive and he is really starting to blossom with Ten Hag.
Back in the day, Rashford is chatting with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka about one of the best wingers in the Premier League, as he demonstrated during the 2022-2023 season.
However, they have suffered a goal drought of late, although this barren streak came to an end with a fine goal in the win against Southampton.
That means that, based on current form, Garnacho has to be our choice.
