Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are set to run it back in the Premier League, and the tone is already fierce. Last season belonged to Spurs, who swept all four meetings with Man United, capped by victory in the UEFA Europa League final. This weekend offers a fresh stage—and a familiar edge.
Ruben Amorim’s side will be out for revenge, while Thomas Frank looks to stretch Tottenham’s six-game unbeaten run against the Manchester club. With that backdrop, we’ve sketched the likely shape of Spurs’ team for a contest that should be tight, tactical and intense.
Form, stakes and selection calls
Thomas Frank is expected to lean on a double pivot to keep things tight against Man United’s press and runners. That balance, plus the team’s recent control in big phases, points to a pragmatic approach built on solidity first and quick transitions when space appears.
The European context matters, too. Spurs’ midweek rhythm—clean sheet, confidence boost and big individual moments — gives this XI a clear runway. Amorim’s camp will come hard, but Tottenham have recent memories and momentum on their side.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted XI vs Manchester United
In goal, Guglielmo Vicario keeps his place. He posted a clean sheet against Copenhagen and enjoyed a calmer evening than most, which should lock in his starting status for the league clash.
Pedro Porro is set to continue at right-back. He started again after Djed Spence’s knock and, despite a heavy workload, remains the most likely option to hold that flank from the first whistle.
At centre-back, Cristian Romero returned in midweek European action and Spurs delivered one of their sharpest displays of the season. His presence, leadership and aggression make him undroppable for a meeting of this size.
Alongside him, Micky van de Ven should retain his spot. A wondergoal against Copenhagen helped wipe away the memory of his error versus Chelsea, and his form in both boxes strengthens his case to start.
Left-back is the flashpoint. Destiny Udogie logged major minutes last time out and could get the nod again, but the call here is Djed Spence to return and add fresh legs on the outside.
Attack and midfield balance
Joao Palhinha anchors the pivot. He continues to impress since his move, adding another goal on Tuesday, and should not be at risk despite starting on the bench against Copenhagen.
Rodrigo Bentancur partners him. Frank’s preference for control in the centre should restore the Bentancur–Palhinha axis from the start against United.
Ahead of them, Xavi Simons earned another start with his best showing in a Spurs shirt versus Copenhagen. That performance should lift his confidence and his license to knit attacks between the lines.
On the right, Mohammed Kudus missed the Copenhagen tie with a knock, but the expectation is that he shakes it off to start here. His ability to carry the ball and threaten goal gives Tottenham an outlet if United squeeze high.
Randal Kolo Muani leads the line. He flashed his quality in midweek and teed up Wilson Odobert for the key goal. He needs minutes to build rhythm, and this is the stage to keep trusting him as the number nine.
Odobert stays on the left. At 20, he is making that channel his own, and the Copenhagen goal only tightens his grip on the role heading into the weekend.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Man United: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Van, Spence, Palhina, Bentancur, Simons; Kudus, Kolo Muani, Odobert.
Tottenham Hotspur lineup prediction: selection calls explained
This XI balances freshness with form. Vicario’s calm, Romero’s edge and Van de Ven’s recovery pace underpin the back line, while Spence’s expected return offers energy on the overlap. The double pivot restores control, with Simons adding craft. In attack, Kudus, Kolo Muani and Odobert give Spurs vertical threat and end product. If Tottenham replicate their midweek discipline and tempo, the unbeaten run can stretch—and the rivalry will only get spikier.
