Match Preview: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Nani scores controversial goal against Spurs last season

Monday 22nd August
KO 8pm GMT

Only our second game of the season but already a big test for us.

This fixture last season saw one of the weirdest ever goals scored in the Premier League. Nani handled the ball in the area but the freekick wasn't given, as Gomes put the ball down to take the freekick, Nani played on and slot the ball home. Spurs players weren't happy, United players went off to celebrate.

Spurs have a very good squad, IMO they are three players away from having a great squad. They probably need a central defender and two strikers, can't see them getting all three though. They always provide a tough test for us, one of the best games I can remember of the last few years was 5-2 after being 2-0 down.

No doubt Friedel will start in goal for them and have his usual superhero performance like previous years when at Villa. Bale and Lennon will be tough tests for Fabio and Evra, Lennon always seems to get the better of Evra too. Modric, Huddlestone and VDV in the middle is a tough three, just hope they don't control the game with those three against what we put out - being at home, you would hope we would control the play.

As for us, I would definitely not go with Anderson and Cleverley as a two in the middle for this one. We need protection at the back, especially with Rio and Vidic out. Put Carrick just in front of the back four with Anderson next to him and Cleverley pushed a bit further on.

Until Hernandez is back, I would put Rooney up top with Young and Nani either side of him. The interchanging of those three could be lethal just like we saw few years back with Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez.

My line up: De Gea, Fabio, Smalling, Jones, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Cleverley, Nani, Young, Rooney

Line up I think we'll see: De Gea, Fabio, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Young, Berbatov, Rooney

Injuries: Ferdinand (hamstring), Vidic (calf), Rafael (shoulder), Hernandez (concussion), Owen (back), Fletcher and Valencia (both fitness).

Sparky

You can find the match thread here:

http://www.soccer24-7.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191210