Eric Ten Hag’s side resumes Premier League duty after a completely mediocre start to the new term as they host the potentially upgraded Tottenham Hotspur.Seeking their first top-flight double over Manchester United in the Premier League era, the Spurs make the long journey north to Old Trafford for Sunday’s enticing encounter.Both sides kicked off 2024 by advancing to the fourth round of the FA Cup, as the Red Devils sunk Wigan Athletic 2-0, while Ange Postecoglou’s team ran out 1-0 winners over Burnley.The feel-good factor from their incredible Premier League Boxing Day comeback over Aston Villa soon evaporated in a 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on December 30, a result which sees the Red Devils enter a depleted gameweek languishing in eighth in the standings, nine points adrift of a Champions League berth.Preparing to play in front of the sharp eye of Sir Jim Ratcliffe for the first time this weekend, Man United are at risk of suffering 10 top-flight losses for just the fifth time since the Premier League’s inception. Out of those previous four campaigns, the Red Devils have opted for a change in management in three of them.Run it back to when Manchester United were 2-0 down at half time against Spurs.Sir Alex Ferguson probably said in the changing room: “Lads, it’s Tottenham.”They then went out and won 5-2.pic.twitter.com/lxzgg5U18b— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) January 14, 2024 Ten Hag’s position in the Man United hot seat is not believed to be under any immediate threat, but the Dutchman certainly does not possess the same job security as Ange Postecoglou, who oversaw a 2-0 beating of the 20-time English champions in just his second Premier League game as a manager.It hasn’t been rosy for the Lilywhites either lately, especially since that joyous day in North London. Postecoglou’s side were also on the verge of being taken to a replay in the FA Cup by a dogged Burnley unit, only for a Pedro Porro wonder strike to seal safe passage into the next stage for the capital giants.The slender success over the Clarets represented a fifth win from six matches in all tournaments for Tottenham, as they concluded 2023 with a praiseworthy 3-1 beating of an in-form Bournemouth side to move within one point of fourth-placed Arsenal, who can be usurped by their bitter adversaries this weekend while they enjoy an extended break from competitive action.Consistency on the road has not come naturally to Tottenham in recent weeks, though, as just one of their last four Premier League away games has ended in victory.Having ended a five-game winless run against Man United back in the summer, Tottenham are just 90 minutes away from a first double against the Red Devils since the 1989-90 season, but the hosts’ 24 successes at home against Spurs is the joint-most for any team over a single opponent in Premier League history.##EDITORS_CHOICE##As far as the rosters go, Sofyan Amrabat has linked up with the Morocco squad and – despite being summoned by Cameroon for their imminent Africa Cup of Nations campaign – Man United number one Andre Onana is expected to guard the Red Devils goal this weekend.On the bright side, Ten Hag issued an unexpectedly positive injury update in his pre-match press conference, confirming that all of Luke Shaw (unspecified), Casemiro (thigh) and Lisandro Martinez (foot) had resumed training and should be in contention for a game, despite stating earlier this month that it could be “weeks” before the latter two would be back with the squad.Illness victims Christian Eriksen and Amad Diallo have also fully recovered, as has Antony (hamstring), but Mason Mount (calf), Harry Maguire (groin), Victor Lindelof (groin), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Anthony Martial (illness) seem set to miss out.The North Londoners have a similar situation – a combination of bad news and pleasant surprises. Tottenham trio Son Heung-min, Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma have linked up with their international teammates, and Eric Dier has ended his nine-year association with the Lilywhites to join German champions Bayern Munich.De Bruyne the saviour! Return of the architect for a grandiose comeback against NewcastleWith one out, though, two have come in, and Postecoglou could hand debuts to Leipzig loanee Timo Werner and ex-Genoa defender Radu Dragusin this week, although the latter’s work permit still needs to come through.However, Micky van de Ven made his return to the matchday squad against the Clarets after his lengthy absence with a hamstring concern of his own, and Cristian Romero is back in training following a similar issue, but Postecoglou has admitted that he only has a slim chance of being involved.Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur 🍿🎥 pic.twitter.com/wL8Z0GW5E6— Kara (@UTDKara) January 14, 2024 Ben Davies (hamstring) and Giovani Lo Celso (unspecified) have also been ruled out with the problems they picked up in the FA Cup, joining James Maddison (ankle), Dane Scarlett (muscle), Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee) and Alejo Veliz (knee) on the sidelines.While Ten Hag’s future in the Old Trafford dugout is uncertain, Postecoglou has found a massive sense of home and support with the Spurs who have a hit of the Premier League in the opening ten rounds, up until a wave of injuries smitten them. Both coaches have a lot to fight for however the Dutchman is in survival mode, also eager to prove himself to the new owner.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 21Friday Burnley – Luton 1-1 (1-0)/Amdouni 36 – Morris 90+2/Saturday Chelsea – Fulham 1-0 (1-0)/Palmer 45+3 pen/Newcastle – Man.City 2-3 (2-1)/Isak 35, Gordon 37 – Silva 26, De Bruyne 74, Bobb 90+1/Sunday 17.00: (2.85) Everton (3.40) Aston Villa (2.45)19.30: (2.30) Man.Utd. (3.70) Tottenham (3.15)***odds are subject to change***
