Jan Paul van Hecke

I can’t see this being a low scoring game between two teams who desperately need all three points here, even after a lengthy international break.

Manchester United are one of just three teams in the Premier League who are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, notably conceding eight goals across their opening five games from an xG against of 6.80.

Three of their four home games across all competitions have seen 3+ goals, with United conceding three goals against Brighton in the EFL Cup at Old Trafford last time out.

Tottenham haven’t fared much better than their opponents here, failing to win any of their five matches in the Premier League and keeping clean sheets in just two of these games. 

Their underlying chance creation numbers would suggest that they’re getting in the right areas (5.0 xG leading to two goals scored), and this is the perfect team to face in wanting to improve that conversion given how weak United look at the back right now.

The international break arrived at a good time for Man United, as they have failed to win any of their last three matches. Michael Carrick’s side will be desperate to bounce back strongly at Old Trafford, and this looks like the perfect matchup against a Tottenham team still searching for their first league victory. 

Bryan Mbeumo has been one of Man United’s most consistent players, as he has scored twice so far this campaign. The Cameroon international has also landed this selection in all five league starts, including three shots against Man City, and five efforts against Fulham. Mbeumo also scored against Spurs during Man United’s 2-0 victory at Old Trafford last season, so he should be looking forward to this matchup.

It’s fair to say that Omar Marmoush has found the move to Tottenham from Manchester City quite difficult so far, but one area where he has shown consistency in his early weeks as a Tottenham player is committing fouls.

Marmoush has committed eight fouls across his four Premier League starts for Tottenham already this season, working out to an average of 2.11 fouls committed per 90. He’s very eager to prove himself, which is understandable, but that often results in Marmoush being over aggressive with his challenges.

Marmoush is set to have quite a few battles with Harry Maguire in this clash, who is a centre back that is very comfortable on the ball and surprisingly good when it comes to winning fouls. 

Maguire has won four fouls across his five starts in the Premier League (0.80 per 90) and notably has a real physicality advantage over Marmoush, which should benefit this angle as Maguire is likely to win quite a lot of the duels between the pair.

Jan Paul van Hecke is a very important player for Roberto De Zerbi’s style of play with the former Brighton man being very comfortable on the ball and is familiar with the demands of the manager having worked with him at his former club.

Van Hecke has won five fouls across his five starts in the Premier League already (1.00 per 90) with the Dutchman being incredibly comfortable on the ball. He’s already completed 366 passes (73.2 per 90) and completed 106 line breaking passes (21.2 per 90) which are metrics that highlight Van Hecke’s strengths really well.

Benjamin Sesko is a doubt for this game, so Cunha or Mbeumo are likely to lead the line for United. The former has committed five fouls across his five starts in the Premier League this season (1.10 per 90) while Mbeumo also boasts a pretty decent foul average across the early games of the season (0.80 per 90). 

I’ve touched on the issues that United have faced defensively so far this season, being one of only three sides yet to keep a clean sheet in the division.

I wouldn’t put those defensive issues down to Lammens, he’s a top keeper in my opinion and is being asked to do far too much for his age and experience. 

He’s been forced into making 16 saves across his five starts in the Premier League (3.20 per 90), highlighting just how much United are relying on his shot stopping ability as their main defensive outlook. 

Tottenham have had issues when it comes to converting chances, but are still averaging 3.80 shots on target per game in the Premier League this season. I think they’ll be eager to take aim against Lammens in this clash as they face off against one of the weakest backlines in the division.