Manchester United vs Tottenham: Red Devils look to avoid 10th defeat of season in huge clash at Old Trafford – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Manchester United welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford this Sunday hoping to put an end to their misery this season. 

The Red Devils finished last year with a defeat to Nottingham Forest which left them nine points off the Premier League’s top four. 

Man United suffered a disappointing end to 2023Credit: Getty

Erik ten Hag continues to come under criticism for results and a big win is desperately needed to boost morale in the camp. 

They face a tough task against Spurs though, with Ange Posteoglou’s side’s form on the up, winning four of their last five league games. 

Manchester United vs Tottenham: More misery? 

Should United lose at the weekend, they will have reached 10 losses in a Premier League season for the fifth time ever. 

And they would have done so in just 21 games. 

Their nine defeats already this campaign is as many as they had for the whole of last season, proving how far off the mark they have been. 

The four occasions where United have lost 10 games in the top-flight came in 2013/14, 2015/16, 2018/19 and 2021/22. 

In all but one of those, they sacked a manager during the season. 

So that doesn’t bode well for Ten Hag who will be feeling the pressure should he reach 10 losses at just over the halfway point of the campaign. 

Ten Hag's side are already nearing double digits for defeatsCredit: Getty Tottenham are looking to complete their first league double over Manchester United since the 1989-90 campaign, having won 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the reverse fixture in August. None of the last 17 Premier League meetings between Manchester United and Tottenham at Old Trafford have finished level, with the Red Devils winning 13 of these (L4).

Manchester United vs Tottenham: Team news 

Andre Onana will be in goal for United as he plays his final game before heading to compete at AFCON with Cameroon. 

The goalkeeper delayed his exit for the tournament to play a part in this clash instead. 

Sofyan Amrabat is already in camp with Morocco and won’t feature while Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Victor Lindelof remain out.

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw could come back from their injuries and Antony, Amad Diallo and Anthony Martial are all set to be assessed. 

As for Tottenham, Timo Werner could make his debut for the club.

Ben Davies has picked up an issue and isn’t expected to be fit to play. 

With Cristian Romero out too, Micky van de Ven may be forced into the starting line-up earlier han expected after his long-term absence. 

Captain Heung-min Son is away at the Asia Cup and Spurs will also be missing Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr for the coming weeks. 

Werner is Spurs' first signing of the January transfer windowCredit: Rex No team has won more home games against an opponent in Premier League history than Manchester United’s 24 against Tottenham (level with Arsenal against Everton). Manchester United finished 2023 with defeat against Nottingham Forest. They haven’t lost their last game of a calendar year, and then their first league game of the following year since 2011-12 (defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United).

Manchester United vs Tottenham: What has been said? 

United legend Roy Keane has highlighted Marcus Rashford’s key errors as he analyses his poor performances this season. 

Rashford failed to score against Wigan in the FA Cup last time out, continuing his run of only three goals so far this campaign. 

Keane said: "I think we were getting frustrated watching him, I think United fans were frustrated watching him.

"United were playing against a League One side here, and I think Marcus must walk off the pitch thinking, 'For all these opportunities, I should be scoring, or certainly providing more assists'."

He continued: "That might sound a bit harsh, but that's because we expect a lot from him. It's just these little details,"

"He's gone into the habit as well of stopping the ball dead, that makes it easier to defend.

"Listen, one or two shots can go wide, don't get me wrong. Just overall - yeah, we're quick to criticise body language, but there were parts of his game tonight that just frustrated me. 

“I hope they frustrated his teammates as well, and they should be saying, 'Listen, we expect more from you'."

Rashford has really struggled to replicate his old form this season Tottenham’s Richarlison has scored five goals in his last five Premier League games, as many as his previous 45 appearances in the competition beforehand. The Brazilian, however, only has one goal in 10 league appearances against Manchester United, scoring for Everton in April 2019. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has created 54 chances in the Premier League this season, more than any other player coming into this round of matches. His rate of 2.84 chances created per 90 minutes is his second best in any of his five Premier League campaigns, but his average of a goal or assist every 285 minutes this term is his worst.

Manchester United vs Tottenham: How to follow 

This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, January 14. 

Kick-off at Old Trafford is scheduled for 4:30pm. 

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. 

talkSPORT will be on hand to keep you up to date with all the latest. 

talkSPORT.com will also be running a live blog of the action.