Tottenham vs Manchester United: Three pre-match talking points

Manchester United are travelling to North London in order to take on a demoralised Tottenham Hotspur squad in the Premier League on Thursday evening.

The fixture arrives on the back of a tense but victorious FA Cup semi-final, where Manchester United defeated Brighton 7-6 on penalties after an even 0-0 draw after 120 minutes at Wembley Stadium.

Read More: 5 talking points as Manchester United beat Brighton to book FA Cup final place

The Premier League fixture, set to kick off on Thursday evening, comes a week after United fell to an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Sevilla – with Tottenham suffering a hammering of their own, losing 6-1 to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

Here are three talking points ahead of the tie:

#1 – A top-four decider?

With Tottenham’s top four ambitions in serious jeopardy after their 6-1 humiliation against Newcastle United on Sunday, Manchester United could put the final nail in the coffin of their Champions League ambitions for next season.

Tottenham currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League with 53 points – six points behind Newcastle in third and United in fourth. However having played two extra fixtures compared to United and one compared to Newcastle, a loss on Thursday evening could spell the end for their top-four hunt.

This, of course, would simultaneously all but confirm United and Newcastle’s places in the Champions League for next season. This was a key target for Erik ten Hag at the beginning of the season.

#2 – A free hit for Tottenham?

One consequence of Tottenham’s 6-1 loss was the sacking of interim head coach Cristian Stellini, who has been replaced by former player Ryan Mason, who will be in charge of Tottenham for the fixture.

After Antonio Conte left the club earlier this calendar year, Tottenham have had a rough ride –they have only won one of their last five Premier League fixtures, drawing two and losing two. Their one win was against Manchester United’s recent FA Cup semi-final opponents Brighton.

With this in mind, the fixture could almost be viewed as a ‘free hit’ for Tottenham, which could spell danger for United – there is a long-standing Premier League theory which states that teams who have just been relegated win their next fixture, due to the sudden lack of pressure.

If Tottenham, therefore, view this tie as a nothing-to-lose chance to galvanise some togetherness, this could spur them on to play with freedom and fire, spelling danger for Erik ten Hag.

#3 – An audition for Harry Kane

Manchester United are in desperate need of a new starting XI striker who can provide consistent Premier League goals. Harry Kane is in need of a new club that will offer him the chance to start every fixture and compete for trophies.

Harry Kane to Manchester United seems like a transfer that, if the two sides are happy to take the risk, could pan out to be one of the best buys this summer. Kane’s ridiculous goal record speaks for itself, and with Erik ten Hag looking to build a squad to compete for Premier League and Champions League trophies, it could be a perfect fit.

This fixture could be the perfect chance for Kane to show Erik ten Hag exactly what he can bring to the Red Devils, should the club pull the trigger on a bid for the striker.