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Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United: Match Preview

This season has been one of workmanship, a season where Manchester United have been less entertaining than normal and more anchored, not hitting the breathtaking heights of previous incarnations, but getting the job done nonetheless.

Surprising it may seem that we are still unbeaten in the Premier League, and if history is anything to go by this record will stay intact for another week at least as Tottenham Hotspur haven’t triumphed over United for just less than ten years.

Their last victory was a 3-1 win at White Hart Lane all the way back in May 2001, when Willem Korsten grabbed two goals for the hosts.

Sir Alex Ferguson though does feel it will be a magnificent match: “We’ve got a good squad available for a really big game. Both teams have had a week’s rest so it should be a really fantastic game.

“The development of Spurs is an interesting one because I can’t remember, and I’m sure I’m right, ever taking United to the Lane with them challenging for the league,” he said.

“I might be wrong, but I can’t remember them challenging for the league in my time here. That’s the change in the fortunes of Tottenham under Harry and they’ve got some exciting players.

“Sunday’s game is a big challenge for us. We’ve got few tough away games in the second half of the season, but you have to get through them.”

Edwin van der Sar is a doubt with a virus, but he trained on Friday, so it is touch and go as to whether Tomasz Kuszczak will be between the sticks.

We should have Wayne Rooney back following an ankle injury, Paul Scholes has also recovered from a groin strain and John O’Shea played 60 minutes for the reserves in midweek so could make the bench.

One question will be whether or not Sir Alex chooses four or five in midfield. If it is five as expected, Dimitar Berbatov will be a key player against his former team. Something he doesn’t seem to like as the last few occasions he has played Spurs, many have commented on the Bulgarian’s ability to disappear unexpectedly.

Spurs could welcome back William Gallas, as the former Arsenal defender has recovered from a hamstring injury. Gareth Bale is also back after missing a few days of training this week, while Tom Huddlestone, Ledley King and Jamie O’Hara are all out.

Harry Redknapp is buoyant as Spurs go from strength to strength, and he is confident of an upset later today: “A win against United would open it up again. They’re in fantastic shape, top of the league. They have a good lead on everybody. I think everyone else, the other teams up the top there, will be hoping we can pull off a result, close the gap and keep everybody involved.”

“I can’t see them going all season unbeaten. It’s not impossible but I don’t see them doing it. I don’t think they’re on a completely different planet to the rest of the teams, but they are favorites for the league,” he said.

“We’ve every chance. We’re at home. I think we are a good team with good players. We are a better team than the one that played Man United last year. We’ll give them a real game on Sunday.”

Rafael van der Vaart and Peter Crouch will need to be stopped if we are to have any chance of victory. The Dutchman has nine goals in the league so far, five assisted by the lanky Englishman.

But as we all know the main focus on Sunday wont be the football, it will be Mr. David Beckham.

Prediction: 2-2 Draw

United: van der Sar; Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick, Rooney; Berbatov

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