Manchester United will be keen to make vast improvements from their season-opening 1-0 victory over Wolves. Despite taking three points from the match, their performance was concerning. They will know they were fortunate to take a victory at Old Trafford on Monday and will need to make significant improvements to beat Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur.
Changes to the starting eleven seem inevitable, so Last Word on Football has created a predicted lineup for United, based on the latest news, updates and analysis.
Man Utd Predicted Lineup v Tottenham Hotspur
How Erik ten Hag’s Side Lined-Up Against Wolves
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New number one keeper Andre Onana started in goal against Wolves, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in front of him at centre-back. Aaron Wan-Bissaka started at right-back over the more ball-dominant Diogo Dalot and was one of United’s best performers. At left-back, Luke Shaw started as expected.
Casemiro played as a single pivot in defensive midfield behind Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, who struggled on his debut. Mount created zero chances, and completed zero crosses or tackles, while also failing to win a single aerial duel.
Antony started on the right wing and had encouraging moments despite a lack of end product. Alejandro Garnacho had a tough game on the left, although this was in part due to a standout performance by Wolves’ Nelson Semedo.
Marcus Rashford was a lone striker and suffered from a severe lack of supply from his midfielders. His best moments came on the counter-attack, but he was contained well by Max Kilman and Nelson Semedo.
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United’s Performance and Tactical Issues Against Wolves
Even the most die-hard United fans will have been appalled by the performance of Erik Ten Hag’s side. They were tactically outsmarted by Gary O’Neil, who set up his side very well.
A big issue for United came from the selection of one of their best performers on the day: Wan-Bissaka. Wolves would stand off Shaw and Martinez when the two defenders had the ball to block passes into the midfield. United would then shift the ball to the right towards Wan-Bissaka, clearly aware of the English right-back’s weakness in his ability to progress the ball.
He was forced to pass back to Onana who then had to launch the ball. With United’s players on the back foot, Wolves’ compact and organised shape helped them ensure aerial dominance and won them the ball.
Ten Hag will also have been extremely concerned by his midfield’s weakness in defence. Casemiro struggled as a single pivot and was outnumbered by Wolves’ central and wide players, who all sought to charge through the middle of the field. Mount was ineffective at both ends of the pitch, while Bruno Fernandes struggled to control the tempo and was unable to contribute defensively.
While United looked to launch numerous attacks in transition, O’Neil’s side was organised and compact enough at the back to slow them down on most occasions. At full-time United had registered 51% of possession, 15 shots with 3 on targets. Wolves, on the other hand, had 49% possession but 23 shots, with 6 of those on target.
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Ten Hag’s Tactics to Expect vs Spurs
Whilst it was ineffective in their last match, expect the Red Devils to launch extremely direct counter-attacks against Spurs. Out of possession, they will likely play a deeper midfield partner to support Casemiro, whether that’s Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen or Scott McTominay.
Man Utd Injury News
Despite fears over the Argentinian centre-back’s ankle injury, United’s head coach has said that he should be fit and has been training this week. Summer signing Rasmus Holjund is still out with a back injury, while Tyrell Malacia, Tom Heaton and exciting youngsters Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo have been ruled out.
Man Utd Predicted Lineup vs Spurs
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Mount, Rashford, Martial
United’s manager is likely to make big structural changes to counter Spurs’ aggressive possession-based football. We expect that Mason Mount will be used on the right, as he was at times in preseason, to assist their press and defensive work. Christian Eriksen may start to add desperately needed ball retention to their side.
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Rashford is likely to be the pivotal component of their counter-attacks on the left, following his performance against Wolves where he was clearly isolated. Martial could start, due to his positioning and finishing on the counter-attack.
