Manchester United travel to north London for a high-profile meeting with Tottenham, a fixture that has often shaped momentum in Premier League campaigns. The spotlight turns to Ruben Amorim, who considers subtle structural changes as he searches for another statement win away from home. With pressure building and both sides targeting Champions League qualification, every selection choice carries weight.
Martinez Question Highlights Man United Defensive Dilemma
Lisandro Martinez has returned to full training after recovering from the ACL injury sustained in the defeat to Crystal Palace earlier this year. Despite optimism around his progress, Amorim opted against selecting him for the meeting with Nottingham Forest. The manager explained his reasoning clearly.
“He (Martinez) wants to go to this one [Forest], he isn’t going to this one,” Amorim said before the Forest match. “He’s going to need time. He has started training with us. Slowly he is going to get better.”
The defender now has an uninterrupted week of sessions behind him, which increases the likelihood of him joining the Man United squad for the trip to Tottenham. Even so, a starting role appears improbable due to the need for managed reintegration at such a demanding venue.
Amorim must also assess Harry Maguire, who has returned to fitness and missed the win over Brighton before being named on the bench against Forest. His aerial presence could be crucial given Tottenham’s set piece threat, and his late winner against Liverpool last month remains fresh in supporters’ minds.
Tactical Considerations for Tottenham Test
Senne Lammens is expected to retain his place in goal, while Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes are set to continue as the central midfield pairing. Stability in the spine has been a theme of Amorim’s recent selections, although the attacking structure could see a deliberate shift.
There is a strong chance of a return to the fluid, forward-thinking system that delivered a memorable victory at Anfield. That approach used mobility over physicality, with no recognised centre forward. Matheus Cunha may be preferred as a false nine, offering versatility and combination play, while Benjamin Sesko could drop to the bench.
Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount are candidates for dual creator roles, operating between the lines to disrupt Tottenham’s defensive shape. Their movement will be vital against a Spurs side that often commits numbers forward and leaves transitional space.
Predicted Man United XI for Tottenham
Lammens, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Cunha, Mount.