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By Dan Tracey
Both ‘languishing’ in midtable at the start of the campaign due to league inconsistencies, both also competing in the Europa League in midweek.
However, the similarities stop there in terms of continental football and whereas United were toiling to a draw at home to FC Twente on Wednesday, a Spurs side that played with 10 men for the majority of the game eased past Qarabağ.
The ideal European start for Ange Postecoglou’s men and with Thursday’s 3-0 home win, it also means a third successive win in all competitions – a trio of victories that are all connected by a common denominator.
A denominator that comes in the shape of Brennan Johnson and although the Welsh international’s level of performance has been criticised by portions of his North London fanbase, a goal in each of those wins has gone a long way to silencing his in-house critics.
While the criticism connected to Manchester United in the past week has only increased and after being held by Crystal Palace last Saturday at Selhurst Park, there was an expectation that Wednesday night would offer a return to winning ways.
Then again, expectation in football can have a habit of not being met and although Christian Eriksen would put the Red Devils ahead before the break, former Rangers forward Sam Lammers would restore parity after it.
A share of the points in the newly expanded Europa League format and although there are seven more opportunities in which to get the necessary points for automatic progress, there is a feeling of two points dropped after Wednesday’s showing.
Which brings us neatly to the weekend and because of where both hosts and visitors find themselves after Saturday’s set of Premier League results, neither outfit can afford to drop further points.
Postecoglou’s charges start the day in 10th while ten Hag’s United sit one place worse off, and thus, will be starting this encounter while sitting in the bottom half of the table and if either outfit are still there after their sixth skirmish of the season is completed, it is those in charge who will feel the pressure.
The easiest way to alleviate that is to pick up a maximum in Manchester but with both United and Spurs very capable of taking one step forward and two steps back rather quickly, they may have to settle for a point each instead.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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