Monday, August 22, 2011

Man Utd v Tottenham

Venue: Old TraffordDate: Monday, 22 AugustKick-off: 2000 BSTCoverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

Monday, 22 August 2011

Barclays Premier League

Manchester United will be without injured trio Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Rafael, with Michael Owen and Javier Hernandez also sidelined.

Jonny Evans is set to partner Phil Jones at centre-back, while Patrice Evra returns after a knee injury.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says Luka Modric, who has been repeatedly linked with Chelsea, will not play on Monday.

Spurs will monitor Peter Crouch's ankle injury, while Ledley King, William Gallas and Alan Hutton are ruled out.

Smalling prepared for Spurs threat

The record books rarely provide encouragement for visiting teams at Old Trafford, and Tottenham fans heading to Manchester may do so more in hope than expectation. It is a decade since Spurs beat the Red Devils, with Willem Korsten among the scorers in a 3-1 win at White Hart lane.

Harry Redknapp's side will also be aware of United's formidable home record last season, when they won 18 of 19 league games on their own patch. However, now could be a good time to face the reigning champions, who may have to field an inexperienced defensive line-up on Monday.

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I know people will write us off, but while we have been there in recent seasons and not got the result we wanted, our performances have been good

Tottenham captain Michael Dawson

The back five who finished United's 2-1 win against West Brom had an average age of just 20 years and 193 days; David de Gea, Phil Jones and Fabio were not even born the last time Spurs won away to United, back in 1989.

The Red Devils rearguard could be in for a real test against a Tottenham side who ruthlessly put Europa League opponents Hearts to the sword on Thursday, scoring five unanswered goals.

Head-to-head

Tottenham have failed to win any of their last 24 meetings with Manchester United in all competitions.Spurs' last victory over United was a 3-1 success in May 2001 at White Hart Lane. They have failed to win any of the subsequent 20 league matches, two FA Cup ties and two League Cup games.It's 22 years since Spurs last won at Old Trafford - a 1-0 victory in December 1989 courtesy of a Gary Lineker goal.

Manchester United

The Red Devils registered just one shot on target against West Brom, according to Opta, fewer than in 76 of their last 77 league games.They won 18 of their 19 league games at Old Trafford last term, equalling the Premier League record for most points won on home turf.Manchester United substitutes scored 11 league goals in 2010-11, more than any other team.

Tottenham

Spurs won just three of their final 12 league games last season.They kept one clean sheet in their last eight top-flight matches.Seven of their eight league losses in 2010-11 came away from home.They scored 15 goals from outside the penalty area last season, four more than any other Premier League side.

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