Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur in this weekend’s Premier League blockbuster, looking to extend their remarkable recent form.
Michael Carrick has been through a trial by fire since being appointed as United’s interim manager, but he has passed with flying colours, leading to him being asked for the full-time job.
Another win against a lowly Tottenham side will further bolster their claim, but United’s recent form against Spurs suggests that Carrick’s new manager’s bounce could fizzle out this weekend.
The north Londoners will be keen to save face after the drop and could see Old Trafford as the ideal ground to spark an unlikely revival.
This sets the tone for a showdown at the box office and Man Utd news has previewed what is expected to be an enthralling clash in Manchester.
global shape
Carrick started his ordeal with back-to-back wins against Manchester City and Arsenal.
That alone was enough for United fans to call for his permanent appointment, but he reinforced those calls with a third consecutive call-up. Premier League win against Fulham.
It was the first time United had achieved such a feat since October 2025. If he extends that run to four games in a row, Carrick will become the first to achieve the feat since Erik ten Hag in February 2024.
Tottenham, meanwhile, head into the game on the back of a six-game winless run in the Premier League despite facing three sides in the bottom half, including two in the relegation zone.
On the positive side, Thomas Frank’s side are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions following their last 2-2 draw against Man City (W2, D2).
Positions of the two managers
Both managers face this contest in contrasting situations.
Carrick is doing his best to convince the United hierarchy that he is the best man for the permanent role, while Frank is walking a tightrope with every game likely to be his last in the Tottenham dugout.
For now, Carrick seems more likely to get a job than Frank to keep his. The former Middlesbrough boss has turned heads and defied expectations since returning to Old Trafford.
Back-to-back wins against Man City and Arsenal restored United’s position in the race for the top four, although the narrow win over Fulham revealed some cracks that will need to be addressed.
Meanwhile, Frank will be feeling tough after not receiving enough reinforcements despite dealing with an alarming list of injuries.
The chances of him staying until the end of the season are slim, but ending United’s winning streak could be the start of a comeback for Tottenham fans.
Expectations for this season
Returning to the Champions League with a top four finish for the first time since the 2023/24 campaign should be firmly at the top of United’s wish list.
Their last appearance in Europe’s premier tournament was after a third-place finish in 2022/23, but they have not returned to the summit of European football since then.
This time, they are on the right track, and their chances have been boosted by the prospect of England securing five Champions League places.
Although United may not need the extra space if they can maintain their current form.
Tottenham, on the other hand, are certain to miss out on Champions League football but will hope to qualify for one of the other two European tournaments.
However, their immediate focus will be on ending an abominable six-game Premier League winless streak at the Theater of Dreams.
Home form of Man United
United’s home form will bolster their confidence heading into this clash. Despite their up and coming campaign, the Red Devils have one of the strongest home records in the league.
United have won seven of their 12 home games this season (D3 D2).
Only Arsenal and Everton have beaten United at home, while West Ham United, Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers are the other teams to have taken a point away from Old Trafford.
United are currently on a six-match unbeaten run at Old Trafford (3D).
They will face Tottenham on the back of back-to-back wins at home and will have their chances of extending this run to three bounce-back games.
Tottenham in away form
Tottenham’s away form further enlivens this exciting contest, with Frank’s side boasting the Premier League’s joint-third best record on the road.
However, they have won just five of their 12 outings so far and can only boast one of their last seven games on the road (D3, L3).
They will also visit Manchester on the back of a three-game winless run away from home (D2, D1).
