Manchester United are set for an enthralling clash with Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime with both sides having the opportunity to move into second spot with a win
Former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Teddy Sheringham has dismissed the idea that the Reds could benefit from a tense atmosphere at Spurs' home ground, following the London club's recent defeat to Chelsea. After a 1-0 loss to their city rivals, Tottenham supporters expressed their dissatisfaction with manager Thomas Frank and his team's performance.
However, Tottenham bounced straight back on Tuesday night with a convincing 4-0 victory over FC Copenhagen in the Champions League. Despite that, Sheringham - speaking with Oddspedia - reckons that any notion of United capitalising on a potentially nervous atmosphere in north London is misguided.
Instead, he anticipates a united front from Spurs fans when Ruben Amorim's side visit this weekend. "I was at the Spurs game last night and I was interested to see what the reaction of supporters would be like after the Chelsea game," Sheringham said.
"They were up for it again and Tottenham ended up putting in a good display. It wasn't fantastic - they probably ended up playing better with 10 men than they did with 11 - but I don't think the United game is the type of game for Spurs fans to not appreciate what's going on.
"Everyone loves it when Manchester United come to town and everyone raises their game, so I don't think it's this type of fixture that will be a problem for Thomas Frank. Tottenham will be up for it and so will their supporters - so it will be a fantastic game.
"It's the other games that Tottenham are expected to win - when they're playing against the likes of Brentford at home - where it starts to become a bit sticky." With loyalties split between both clubs, Sheringham is anticipating an entertaining and competitive encounter.
"I was going to say there's goals in it, but Manchester United's defence has tightened up quite a bit recently and Tottenham look solid at the back with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero," he concluded. "I'll go for a 1-1 draw."
Both teams enter the clash level on 17 points and - should there be a victor - they will climb to second place in the Premier League table. However, that could be for a matter of hours.