Manchester United will be looking to consolidate their position in the Premier League table when they face top four hopefuls Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s side have a nine-point buffer between themselves and Chelsea in fifth and are on course to secure to a second place finish behind rivals Manchester City.
It will be United’s first meeting with Spurs since their shock 6-1 defeat in October although the fortunes of the two clubs have gone in opposite directions since.
After losing three of their opening six league matches of the campaign, United have since been beaten just once – a surprise 2-1 reverse to Sheffield United in January – in their previous 24 games to move 11 points clear of Sunday’s opponents.
How to watch Spurs vs Man Utd
- Date: Sunday 11 April 2021
- Kick-off time: 4.30pm
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- TV (and live stream): Sky Sports Premier League (Now TV day pass for £9.99)
Although United come into the game in good form, Solskjaer does have some injury concerns following Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Granada in the Europa League quarter-final first leg.
Luke Shaw was withdrawn at half-time with Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba following suit in the second half.
When asked whether the decision to replace Shaw had been tactical or due to injury, Solskjaer responded. “I had to protect Luke. But I think and hope he should be okay for the weekend.”
On Rashford he added: “It’s the same thing as before. He’s not recovered from it and hopefully it’s not got any worse from this, because he lasted 70 against Brighton, 65 now, so hopefully he’s ready.
“I think he should be ready for Sunday and the goal is exceptional. Marcus is someone we have to protect but he was ready and he was vital for us today.”
Solskjaer is also confident that Pogba will be available, saying: “Paul had a little niggle but he should be okay.”
Spurs defeat ‘hurt United’s pride’
By Ian Whittell
United visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium desperate to make amends for the worst showing of Solskjaer’s United reign, the 6-1 home defeat to former manager Jose Mourinho in October.
And the United manager admits revenge is a motivation.
“I think the players will remember that game with a lot of pain and their pride has been hurt, our professional pride has been hurt,” he said.
“The way and the manner we lost is not ourselves and we know that. We gave ourselves a difficult game by having 10 men.
“Pre-season was short and we weren’t up to the standard required, but we were so poor and I’m pretty sure we’ll see some players wanting to prove that we’re better than that.”
Solskjaer insists no decision has been made on striker Edinson Cavani – despite the legendary striker apparently edging closer the exit door this summer.
The 34-year-old Uruguay international has only made a limited impact since moving to Old Trafford in October, with six league goals.
And reports have surfaced claiming that Cavani is desperate to return to South America when his contract expires at the end of the season.
“I’ve kept in touch with Edi of course,” said Solskjaer. “We keep an open dialogue and he’s still unsure what he wants to do next season, which I find fine.
“It’s not been easy year either for him or the rest of the world, this season, so he still wants time to make his mind up.
“I’m very sure we will get the good version of Edinson for the rest of the season. He knows this is the business end of season, where we fight for the Europa League trophy and we can see the end line in the league. Only eight games left and you’re thinking about where you’re going to end up.
“He’s been so positive in and around the place, he’s been great to have. He’s been working hard now to get fit and we’ve got him. Now hopefully we can keep him fit for the next six or seven weeks.”
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