Tottenham predicted line-up vs Man United: key changes made as £55m gem earns big start

Tottenham Hotspur are back in Premier League action this weekend, when they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening. This follows a three-week international break in which England won three or their four matches in impressive style, and Spurs will be eager to return to action and start pushing their way up the table.

Sitting rock bottom at present, it’s been a dismal start to the campaign for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, who have looked incapable in front of goal as their £300m+ glut of new signings have struggled to gel. That said, with just five games of the new season gone, there’s ample time for the side to adapt and put their woes behind them over the coming months.

Heading into the weekend, Spurs have a number of injury concerns to deal with. Pedro Porro is set to miss the trip to Old Trafford with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty. Meanwhile, defender Micky van de Ven should recover from a finger injury in time to play, but his backline partner Jan Paul van Hecke could miss out with a foot problem.

There’s a chance that long-term absentee Dejan Kulusevski could finally return in some capacity, but the likes of Mykhaylo Mudryk (ankle), Wilson Odobert (ACL) and playmaker Xavi Simons (ACL) are all out for the foreseeable future. Ahead of Spurs’ clash against United, this is the most likely starting XI De Zerbi will field.

Will Van Hecke start against Man United?

Antoine Kinsky has had a tough start to the season between the sticks for Spurs, but with little in the way of competition for his starting spot, he’ll be in goal again this weekend. Porro’s likely absence means that Archie Gray looks set to come in at right-back - the ex-Leeds starlet’s versatility continues to be a blessing for Tottenham when gaps need to be filled.

On the left flank, it’s a toss up between Andy Robertson and Destiny Udogie. The former has played extensively during the international break, and while that may mean he’s unlikely to play the full ninety minutes, his match sharpness should give him the edge over his teammate who hasn’t played competitive game since 15th September.

While Van de Ven looks set to recover from his hand injury, Marcos Senesi looks set to be called in to action to replace the injured Van Hecke. Like Robertson who left Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract last summer, Senesi also joined on bargain free transfer once his deal at Bournemouth came to a close.

Tottenham predicted line-up vs Man United: midfield and attack

Presuming De Zerbi plays a 4-2-3-1 formation, then Uruguay international Rodrigo Bentancur will likely start in the heart of midfield. He’s set to be paired with £100m summer signing Sandro Tonali, who has so far struggled to justify the stunning price his new club paid Newcastle United for his services.

Given Spurs’ struggles in front of goal this season - they went the first four games of the season without netting once - they could well look to shake up their attacking options against United. Mohamed Kudus - who is officially the Premier League’s most successful dribbler in the 2026/27 campaign thus far - could come in to start off the right wing.

Savio, who’s been one of Tottenham’s better summer signings, looks set to start on the left. Down the middle, Omar Marmoush could be deployed in behind a central striker and, with few options available to De Zerbi in this position, Dominic Solanke looks set to lead the line. He hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since back in March, but did net in the league cup against Charlton Athletic in late August.

Spurs predicted XI vs Man United: Kinsky: Gray, Senesi, Van de Ven, Robertson; Bentancur, Tonali; Kudus, Marmoush, Savio; Solanke.

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