(4-2-3-1) Man United predicted XI to face Tottenham as Erik ten Hag makes bold Marcus Rashford call

(4-2-3-1) Man United predicted XI to face Tottenham as Erik ten Hag makes bold Marcus Rashford call

Marcus Rashford, who was benched for Manchester United’s most recent Premier League match against Crystal Palace, is anticipated to start when the Reds take on Tottenham.

When Manchester United plays Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday, manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United is expected to make a number of changes.

Ten Hag is optimistic that his team can resume winning after drawing their previous two matches against FC Twente and Crystal Palace.

The Dutchman’s most important decision will be whether to play Marcus Rashford after starting him off the bench against Palace.

“It was not difficult because we need to rotate,” Ten Hag explained at the time. “Because we have many games to cover and we have to give Alejandro games – and as we have all seen, he has such a lot of end product, scored so many goals, so many assists, but often as a sub.”

As a result, Rashford is expected to return to the starting line-up against Spurs and could lead the line in place of Joshua Zirkzee. New signing Manuel Ugarte, meanwhile, is expected to make his first Premier League start.

Ugarte has made two league appearances off the bench so far and is set to partner Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, coming into the side in place of Christian Eriksen. Mason Mount could also make his return to the starting line-up, having recovered from a hamstring injury to make the bench against Twente.

Captain Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho are both set to start, while Andre Onana, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot will also continue at the back.

“I think it will be a very intense game,” Ten Hag admitted in his pre-match press conference. “It always is against Tottenham and I think it is also our style as well. So I think it is going to be a very dynamic, attractive game.

“Every opponent has strengths and weaknesses and Tottenham have their strengths in their philosophy. [That is] very clear. [They are] very attacking but [that] leaves also space. That is what we take into account that can maybe help but you have to be very good against Tottenham.

“We want to control the game and you need the high performance level. We will create again I am sure but we need to take our chances. I think you have to assess the situation. Still now we are working and we are in progress.

“We have to sign players and we made the choice to sign very young players. Like last year, [Rasmus] Hojlund and Zirkzee and Leny Yoro are players we believe in for this moment but also for the future and we have to build them.”

Man Utd possible XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo; Mount, Fernandes; Garnacho, Rashford