Manchester United vs Tottenham - live! Rashford dangerous in tight encounter
Follow all the live action from Old Trafford
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford for Saturday's early kick-off aiming to climb decisively above their title-rivals towards the top of the Premier League table, with both sides currently level on points. Follow the latest here.
- Manchester United vs Spurs kicked off at 12:30 BST
- No Harry Kane for Spurs as Mousa Sissoko starts with Son Heung-min as striker
- United welcome back Eric Bailly from injury
- Marcus Rashford starts despite injury concern
- Spurs can overtake United and move into second with victory
Follow the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
What time does it start?
Manchester United vs Tottenham kicks off at 12:30
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Football from 11:30. Highlights will be shown at 22:30 on BBC One.
It’s a big game for…
Anthony Martial. Likely to start in place of Marcus Rashford, the young Frenchman could do with one of his more convincing showings. Although his start to the season has been far from disastrous – with a return of nine goals and assists from all competitions – his inconsistency has frustrated Mourinho, who may soon be tempted to look at other starting options after Jesse Lingard’s match-winning brace in midweek.
Best stat…
Four. Mauricio Pochettino has lost more Premier League matches to Jose Mourinho than he has against any other manager in the competition.
Remember when…
Roy Carroll and a slippery ball when these sides met in this fixture in the 2004-5 season: United would love some similar luck on Saturday.
Player to watch…
Son Heung-min. The South Korean has been pushing hard for a starting place with a run of elegant form in recent weeks. Especially with the absence of Kane, his pace and inventiveness will be crucial if Spurs are to come away from Old Trafford with points.
Past three meetings…
Tottenham 2 (Wanyama, Kane) Manchester United 1 (Rooney), Premier League, 14 May 2017
Manchester United 1 (Mkhitaryan) Tottenham 0, Premier League, 11 December 2016
Tottenham 3 (Alli, Alderweireld, Lamela) Manchester United 0, Premier League, 10 April 2016
Form guide…
Manchester United: WWDWLW
Tottenham: WWWDWL
Odds…
Manchester United: 6/5
Tottenham: 28/11
Draw: 23/10
53 min: United are building up a head of steam here. Henrikh Mkhitaryan dances past a couple of challenges and hits a (fairly weak) shot that Hugo Lloris should deal with. But the Frenchman parries it, almost allowing Marcus Rashford to nip in. Ben Davies does very well to clear. Then a low Mkhitaryan cross nearly finds Romelu Lukaku, but the ball ricochets away to safety.
61 min: Mauricio Pochettino has seen enough 16 minutes into this second half and makes two substitutions. The ineffectual Moussa Sissoko and Heung-Min Son come off, to be replaced by Mousa Dembele and Fernando Llorente. Let's see how Spurs get on with a more conventional striker leading the line.
64 min: Antonio Valencia comes within a few inches of giving Manchester United the lead, clobbering a shot just over after Tottenham fail to properly clear a corner. Great effort. Jose Mourinho then makes his first change, brining Jesse Lingard on for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
69 min: Another Manchester United change, and another attacking player stepping off the bench. Unfortunately for those waiting for this game to open up, it's also an attacking player coming off: Anthony Martial replaces Marcus Rashford, whose last contribution was a tempting ball that almost sent Romelu Lukaku clear.
72 min: Finally, Romelu Lukaku has a half-decent sight of goal. United break swiftly, Anthony Martial freeing Nemanja Matic, who prods the ball round the corner, into space. Lukaku motors past Jan Vertonghen and unleashes a shot from a narrow angle, drawing a diving save from Hugo Lloris. It may have been heading wide anyway, but that's better from the hosts.
75 min: A sight of goal for Christian Eriksen after some patient Spurs passing, but the Dane rushes his effort, spooning the ball well over the bar from 20 yards. He should do better and it looks like he knows it, too.
76 min: What a chance for Tottenham. Christian Eriksen almost makes amends for that wayward shot with a glorious clipped pass into the path of Dele Alli, who darts past Chris Smalling and looks to guide the ball home. He doesn't quite get enough on the volley, however, and David De Sea is relieved to see the ball drop wide. A big let-off for United.
78 min: United hit the post! Antonio Valencia raids down the right and digs out a cross for Romelu Lukaku, who holds off his man and looks to place his header into the bottom corner. It's a fine effort, but the ball rebounds to safety off the woodwork.
80 min: GOAL MANCHESTER UNITED! The Red Devils make the breakthrough at last, in true route-one fashion. David De Gea launches the ball long onto the head of Romelu Lukaku, who brilliantly flicks the ball into the path of Anthony Martial. The Frenchman holds off Jan Vertonghen to plant a left-footed shot past Hugo Lloris. Not the cleanest strike, but it'll do for United.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments