Manchester United travel to Tottenham this evening, knowing that a third defeat of the season at the hands of Ange Postecoglou’s side would make unwanted history. It could also plummet Ruben Amorim and co as far down as 16th in the Premier League, stressing the need for a rare win in London.
Tottenham have lost five of their last eight matches and are licking their wounds after exiting both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup last week.
In contrast, United have triumphed in six of their last eight outings but have seldom looked convincing as Amorim continues to instil his demanding system.
The Portuguese tactician doesn’t yet know his strongest team due to aggressively inconsistent performances, particularly at Old Trafford.
Yet, his best results in his first three months at the helm have come away from home in matches United were expected to taste defeat.
Amorim oversaw unlikely victories at Manchester City and Arsenal on either side of a commendable draw against Liverpool at Anfield, which could’ve been three points.
Former United defender Paul Parker is among the majority who struggle to pinpoint Amorim’s best starting lineup in the early stages of his reign.
However, he has named five players who must start against Spurs later today if the Red Devils are to avoid another loss.
“I really, really wouldn’t want to [name a starting lineup] because I couldn’t put out an 11 that I believe could go and do something in any given game,” Parker told Express Sport on behalf of Instant Casino.
“Amad would definitely start. Fernandes would definitely start. Mazraoui, he would have to start in his best 11. I would say Ugarte would have to start.
“I’m going to say Mainoo as well, although he is just a little bit in the wilderness at the moment. So that’s five players I can name. Amad’s the only one who is certain upfront.
“If you’re going to play that way, he’s the only one because he’s the main person who looks like he’s going to score and make goals as well, in that sense. But I couldn’t name 11.”
United are vying to avoid following up their dismal 3-0 home defeat in the Premier League and 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter-final loss in the capital.
If they suffer the same fate this weekend, it would be the first time since 1990 that Spurs have won this fixture three times in a single campaign.
The last team to beat United on three occasions across one season was Chelsea in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season, 2012/13.