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2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 6
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Molineux Stadium
Wolverhampton, England
Saturday, 28 September 2024
Kick-off is at 18h30
Manchester United will be looking to build on a solid performance against Crystal Palace when Tottenham arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 29 in the late kick-off.
The Red Devils created a whole host of chances at Selhurst Park on September 21, but they were thwarted by some outstanding saves from former United team-mate Dean Henderson and the woodwork.
In the end, Erik ten Hag's side had to settle for a 0-0 draw which saw them drop to 11th place on goal difference behind Spurs (10th), with the two teams tied on seven points.
Fulham climbed above them in the table up to ninth spot courtesy of a surprise 3-1 win over Newcastle at Craven Cottage on September 21.
The Lilywhites returned to the top 10 as they came from an early goal down to beat Brentford 3-1 in a London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a couple of hours prior.
Ange Postecoglou's side registered their second win of the season, having suffered back-to-back defeats against Newcastle (2-1) and Arsenal (1-0) before that.
The North Londoners are unbeaten in their last three encounters with United and played out to a 2-2 draw in the corresponding fixture last season.
Image copyright: Getty Images
In team news, the hosts remain without defensive quartet Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof (both ankle) and Tyrell Malacia (knee), while Wilson Odobert (thigh) and Richarlison miss out once more for the visitors.
Ten Hag believes performances will only get better as the players become more familiar with his tactics now that he is able to select a more consistent starting XI.
"It is so different now because we can work on the team, we are building structures because we have players back on the training pitch," the Dutchman said.
"We can also have consistency in the selection and that helps of course to bring the patterns and routines in and you play better. You can take more control of the game and you can even, like in the first half, dominate the game."
Postecoglou praised his team for persevering after going behind to Bryan Mbeumo's opener after just 23 seconds as they peppered the Bees' goal and went on to convert three of their 23 attempts on goal.
"It was fun, it was exciting... relentless is a good word for it because you know irrespective of the scoreline or the minute in the game we just keep going and I know we have the capacity to do that," he told SPURSPLAY.
"I think you know the first games in the league haven't really reflected that because we haven't got the rewards for what I think has been some good play, but you could tell today that they weren't going to let that happen.
"Our pressing was unbelievable and our general play in that front third was really, really good. The boys had a clear focus on ways we could get through them and create opportunities for ourselves."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man United wins - 2
Tottenham wins - 1
Draws - 2
Premier League Matchday 6 fixtures:
Saturday, September 28
13h30: Newcastle United v Manchester City
16h00: Arsenal v Leicester City
16h00: Brentford v West Ham United
16h00: Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion
16h00: Everton v Crystal Palace
16h00: Nottingham Forest v Fulham
18h30: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool
Sunday, September 29
15h00: Ipswich Town v Aston Villa
17h30: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Monday, September 30
21h00: Bournemouth v Southampton
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