Old Trafford to boil as Man United host Tottenham

The battle for the last Champions League place is hotting up and Manchester United are, for now at least, still somehow  clinging on to it.

Having crashed out of the FA Cup at home to Arsenal last Monday night, the Premier League is the only remaining competition through which United manager Louis van Gaal can make his debut season anything resembling a success. That makes tomorrow’s match at home to top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur, all the more important.

Spurs have bounced back from disappointment in the Capital One Cup final and Europa League with successive Premier League wins over Swansea and QPR, and though this match will provide a much sterner test of their mettle, they will take confidence from the fact that they have won their last two matches at Old Trafford. Having also drawn their last three home games against United, they are unbeaten in five meetings, last losing over three years ago.

For all of the criticisms of Van Gaal’s United, the Dutchman has built a team that is hard to beat; they have lost only three of their last 23 matches in all competitions. With Angel Di Maria absent through suspension, it will be interesting to see how they line up and where their creativity comes from.

With four goals in his last five matches since returning to a more attacking role, Wayne Rooney will provide the goal threat, so long as his teammates can create chances for him. 

At the other end, the irrepressible Harry Kane will hope to show onlookers that he is worthy of playing alongside Rooney for England.