Manchester United are limping towards the finishing line, but the squad are determined to beat Tottenham Hotspur to ensure they get their hands on the Premier League trophy as quickly as possible.
The 2-0 mid-week victory over Portsmouth placed the Reds three points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand after the Scouser’s epic 4-4 draw with Arsenal.
In spells, the attacking verve and vibrancy of previous years made a welcome re-appearance in a match which should have ended with a far greater disparity between the teams.
A Michael Carrick 82nd minute strike calmed any nerves of a sting in the tail from the South Coast side. If he and fellow former Spurs star Dimitar Berbatov can combine with the same lethal effect as the FA Cup meeting between the clubs in January, it will be a great help.
Poor finishing was again to blame for the low goal return, with Welsh veteran Ryan Giggs spurning several presentable chances. Such wastefulness will not suffice against this weekend’s opponents, who’ll provide a far sterner test than relegation threatened Pompey.
At the forefront of the United players’ mind is the importance of chalking up another win. Of the team’s six remaining fixtures, this is one where manager Sir Alex Ferguson will definitely highlight the importance of claiming all three points.
Much trickier fixtures at home to local rivals Manchester City and Arsenal await. Stumble on Saturday and the Red Devils could face an unwanted energy-sapping race to the wire with Liverpool for the Premier League title.
Spur’d on for Europa Push
From two points from the first eight games, to just one point from a place in Europe, Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been a rollercoaster ride.
Last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle United cemented Spurs position in the leading pack in the race to claim entry to the inaugural Europa League competition next season.
Few would have predicted in the Autumn that the Londoners would travel to Manchester in such rude health.
The Lilywhites have been beaten only three times in the Premier League in 2009, with this new found solidarity providing the foundations for the club’s rise up the table.
Croatian magician Luka Modric has thrived under the tutelage of manager Harry Redknapp, while English fire-bolt Aaron Lennon has burned a path down the wing with his lightning speed.
A defence with as many holes in it as a block of Swiss cheese has now kept clean sheets in half of its last ten fixtures. Such resolve will be needed at Old Trafford if the Premier League champions are to be denied.
Unfortunately for the resurgent White Hart Lane outfit, trips to the North West have provided the rare dark spots in the Redknapp revival. The losses since the turn of the year have all come during trips to the region, with the latest coming at the hands of Blackburn Rovers three weeks ago.
If Spurs manage to tear up the form book on Saturday, their rollercoaster of a season could be just a few twists away from ending on a positive note.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United:
15th April vs. Porto (A) won 1-0 (CHAMP LG)
11th April vs. Sunderland (A) won 2-1 (PREM)
7th April vs. Porto (H) drew 2-2 (CHAMP LG)
5th April vs. Aston Villa (H) won 3-2 (PREM)
21st March vs. Fulham (A) lost 2-0 (PREM)
Tottenham Hotspur:
19th April vs. Newcastle United (H) won 1-0 (PREM)
11th April vs. West Ham United (H) won 1-0 (PREM)
4th April vs. Blackburn Rovers (A) lost 2-1 (PREM)
21st March vs. Chelsea (H) won 1-0 (PREM)
15th March vs. Aston Villa (A) won 2-1 (PREM)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United:
The return of Wes Brown to the match day squad is a massive boost for the champions. This has gained an extra significance with fellow right-backs Gary Neville (ankle) out for two weeks, and John O’Shea (ankle) carrying a knock.
Owen Hargreaves (knee) is continuing his rehabilitation program with a view to returning in time for pre-season training.
Last starting XI (vs. Portsmouth): Van der Sar, Neville (O'Shea 13), Vidic, Evans, Evra, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson (Carrick 76), Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, O'Shea (Rafael Da Silva 52).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Nani, Tevez.
Squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Rafael, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar, Rafael, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Rooney, Berbatov.
Tottenham Hotspur:
Michael Dawson’s (ankle) worrying injury last weekend should rule him out for the rest of the season. Roman Pavlyuchenko (back) joins the centre-back on the sidelines.
Frazier Campbell is ineligible for the match as he is on loan from Manchester United. Club captain Ledley King returns from his latest spell on the treatment table.
Last starting XI (vs. Newcastle United): Gomes, Corluka, Dawson (Hutton 33), Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric, Keane, Bent (Defoe 75).
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Bale, Zokora, Bentley, Campbell.
Squad: Gomes, Corluka, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Jenas, Bent, Modric, Keane, Palacios, Cudicini, Bale, Zokora, Bentley, Chimbonda, O'Hara, Hutton, Defoe.
Possible starting XI: Gomes, Corluka, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Jenas, Palacios, Lennon, Modric, Keane.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United: When the Red Devils’ form hit the buffers, so did Patrice Evra’s. Aaron Lennon murdered him in the Carling Cup final, with the England winger sprinting past him with impunity. Evra must banish this performance to the past if Spurs aren’t to spring an upset from their right flank.
Tottenham Hotspur: It’s hard to find a better defender than Ledley King. His imperious performances on the rare occasions he is fit are a sight to behold for footballing purists. King has kept United at bay before, and will need to do so again if Spurs are to continue their push for Europe.
PREDICTION
Harry Redknapp brings his Tottenham Hotspur team up north with a real chance of adding to his excellent personal record against Sir Alex Ferguson.
A semblance of normality has resumed at Old Trafford in recent weeks though, and they will have just enough to claim the three points in what should be an engaging contest.
Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur.
Matt Monaghan, Goal.com
