United host Tottenham in the first Old Trafford match of the 2011/12 season...
Form guide
United began the new Barclays Premier League season with a gritty 2-1 win over West Brom at The Hawthorns, a promising sign for the Reds considering Sir Alex Ferguson’s side only picked up five away wins last season. Tottenham, meanwhile, are yet to start their domestic campaign after last weekend’s opener with Everton was postponed because of the London riots. Spurs were in action on Thursday, however, and showed no signs of rustiness in a 5-0 win over Hearts in their Europa League play-off first leg.
United began the new Barclays Premier League season with a gritty 2-1 win over West Brom at The Hawthorns, a promising sign for the Reds considering Sir Alex Ferguson’s side only picked up five away wins last season. Tottenham, meanwhile, are yet to start their domestic campaign after last weekend’s opener with Everton was postponed because of the London riots. Spurs were in action on Thursday, however, and showed no signs of rustiness in a 5-0 win over Hearts in their Europa League play-off first leg.
Ins and outs The United medical team is surprisingly busy at the minute, with up to six first-team players either suffering, or recovering from knocks. Defenders Rio Ferdinand (hamstring) and Nemanja Vidic (calf) were both injured against the Baggies and are unavailable, as is Rafael (shoulder), Darren Fletcher (virus), Antonio Valencia (ankle) and Javier Hernandez (concussion). As a result, youngsters Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones are all set to deputise at the back against Spurs, who are similarly struggling with injuries. Harry Redknapp could be without want-away Luka Modric, Tom Huddlestone, Steven Pienaar, Jermaine Jenas and William Gallas.
Last meeting Tottenham boss Redknapp had challenged his side to lay down a significant marker in the title-race by beating United at White Hart Lane in January, though he did not get the result he craved. The match produced a tightly-fought 0-0 draw, a result that extended the Reds' unbeaten league run to 21 games.
Top manGareth Bale wins the awards, Rafael van der Vaart scores the goals and Peter Crouch does the dancing; but there’s no mistaking which player makes Tottenham tick. Modric, the diminutive Croatian playmaker and architect of attack at White Hart Lane, has been ever-present in the Spurs midfield since signing from Dinamo Zagreb in 2007 and is a world-class talent. Although a doubt for Monday’s match, Modric is definitely a man to watch.
Quote/unquote“Tottenham are a good team who like to play football the right way and they have the ability to beat anybody in the league. Last season, they were very strong and had some good results, particularly in the Champions League. Obviously there’s been a bit of uncertainty around a few players this summer, but whatever happens they still have good players and I think they’ll do well.” – Nemanja Vidic
Any sub-plots? What is it with questionable goals (or non-goals) between United and Tottenham at Old Trafford? In last season’s corresponding fixture, Nani somewhat controversially scored past Heurelho Gomes after the referee had appeared to halt play – it turns out he hadn’t and the goal stood – much to the dismay of Spurs. Years earlier, Pedro Mendes saw his ‘goal that never was’ denied by a linesman, who deemed the ball hadn’t crossed the line. Could lightning strike thrice on Monday?
Whistle-blower Monday’s match will be refereed by Lee Probert, who took charge of several United matches last season, including the Reds' 7-1 drubbing of Blackburn Rovers.
Rivals watchArsenal host Liverpool in one of two midday kick-offs on Saturday, while Chelsea welcome West Brom to Stamford Bridge at teatime. Manchester City make the short journey to Bolton on Sunday.
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