With last weekend’s Manchester derby humiliation still lingering, Man Utd will aim to repair their top-four hopes against Tottenham at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
United failed to muster an attempt on goal in the second half of last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to Man City, with former midfielder Roy Keane accusing the side of ‘giving up’ after the interval.
Still, Ralf Rangnick’s side remain just a point outside of the top four – having played three games more than Arsenal – and they could open up a five-point gap to Tottenham with victory this weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
When is kick off? Saturday 12 March, 17:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Old Trafford
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube channel, BBC Match of the Day (22:30)
Referee? Jonathan Moss
VAR? Andre Marriner
It remains to be seen whether Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the squad after the Portuguese was omitted from the Manchester derby defeat with a hip flexor problem.
Reports suggest there may have been an ulterior motive from Rangnick behind the decision, while Edinson Cavani was also left out of the squad despite returning to training earlier in the week.
In more positive news for the Red Devils, both Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw will be available after they recently tested positive for Covid-19 prior to last Sunday’s defeat.
Oliver Skipp will not feature for Spurs amid a persistent groin problem, with Conte recently ‘demanding answers’ from his medical staff over the length of the midfielder’s absence.
Ryan Sessegnon, meanwhile, was forced at the interval in Monday’s win over Everton with a muscular problem, meaning Sergio Reguilon is likely to return in his absence.
Japhet Tanganga has also been missing for over a month for Tottenham with a knee injury and his comeback will have to wait.
There is perhaps greater pressure on Man Utd in the race for the top four given Spurs still boast two games in hand.
Conte’s side trail United by just two points and, despite the Italian bemoaning his team’s ‘up-and-down’ nature, they were ruthless in their destruction of Everton last time out.
New signings Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur have settled quickly and, against a United side who seem entirely incapable of sustaining their intensity for 90 minutes, Spurs will smell blood.
Prediction: Man Utd 1-2 Tottenham