Finally, it's time for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to return to action following last weekend's humiliation against Liverpool. After two matches at Old Trafford, United are back on the road to face Spurs; unusually, it's a Saturday evening kickoff (17:30 UK time).
It's reaching desperate times for Solskjaer at the club, with his side winless in four Premier League matches since the 2-1 victory against West Ham all the way back on the 19th of September. It's not just been a winless run, but a majorly losing one - only the single point has been picked up over the last four league matches (in a game that really warranted a loss against Everton). I usually mention the events of the previous match in slightly more detail, but I don't feel there's any need this time around. Forward we move.
Defeat to Spurs could see United lose three consecutive league matches for the first time in almost six years, with the possibility that four of the opening 10 league fixtures are lost for the first time since the 1990/91 campaign. Three losses in four equates to the same amount of matches that were lost in the previous 37. The 10 goals conceded so far in October is a league-high, in fact United have never conceded more than 11 Premier League goals in a single month. Clean sheets are at an extreme premium, with only one in 21 games in all competitions.
The overall form hasn't been remotely ideal for United throughout the season as a whole so far, with the current run reading only two wins in seven matches - and merely three from their last eight. In the league, the reds have consequently dropped down to seventh (level with those down to Arsenal in 10th). In terms of a title challenge, it feels such aim could soon be unsalvageable once more.
It's a tough run for Solskjaer, accentuated by his job seemingly being on the line with no guarantees from now onwards. Manchester City follow Spurs in the league prior to the international break, with a theoretical reprieve in Watford prior to meetings with Chelsea and Arsenal. It would take a remarkable turnaround to restore the faith of the many who have lost confidence in him, especially given the scale of upcoming fixtures.
Spurs have also endured a questionable start to the campaign, with a rocky start to Nuno Espirito Santo's reign. They currently sit sixth in the league, one point clear of United. However, their goal difference is a measly -4 compared to United's +1. There have been real issues on the scoring front for the London outfit, with Harry Kane scoring only once in eight Premier League appearances.
Spurs' season started with three successive 1-0 wins, including a promising opening day victory against City. Such slim margins were not sustainable, with three goals conceded in the three games in subsequence; they failed to score against Crystal Palace and Chelsea, before losing 3-1 against Arsenal in the North London Derby. From top of the table early on, it was a dramatic fall off their perch. It took until gameweek seven for more than a single goal to be scored (against Aston Villa), with one better against Newcastle as three were converted. Regardless, none of their five league wins have finished with a margin greater than a single goal. It was back to blanks for Nuno's side last weekend, with West Ham coming out on top thanks to a Michail Antonio goal. There was a bounce back in midweek, with another 1-0 win to progress against Burnley in the Carabao Cup.
Defeat for Spurs against United would see them losing half of their first 10 league matches for the first time since the 1997/98 season. For both sides, it's been an undoubtedly patchy start.
Spurs had to settle for seventh last term, only good enough for the new UEFA Conference League. In that competition, they have actually struggled so far; only four points have been picked up over three matches, placing them third in their group adrift of Rennes and Vitesse.
Five goal losing margins haunt United in more ways than one heading into this weekend. The reds tasted emphatic 6-1 defeat against Spurs at Old Trafford last season, crumbling severely following a Bruno Fernandes opener after only two minutes - the visitors responded promptly, before an Anthony Martial dismissal descended things into turmoil.
It was a much better outcome at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later in the season. Following Heung-Min Son's opener shortly before halftime, things came to life in the second half. The response was trademark from United, with goals from Fred, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood sealing a comeback.
Spurs have lost 36 Premier League matches against United, the most defeats against any side in the competition. They have only picked up six wins at home against the reds from 29 attempts, with United currently unbeaten in three on the road against the Londoners.
Team news from a United standpoint is straightforward - for once. Pogba is suspended for three matches domestically after his dismissal against Liverpool, "but apart from that it's a fully fit squad which is a very strange position to be in, to have 25 outfield players and five keepers this week."
Spurs, contrastingly, have some doubts. Summer signing Bryan Gil is under assessment having picked up a hamstring injury in midweek, with Ryan Sessegnon still to feature in the Premier League this season. There may be recalls for Harry Winks and Dele Alli.
To finish, there is clear hunger in the United camp to respond. The manager has led the 'fighting talk' ahead of this one.
"We definitely need a reaction and it's my job as well to put the players in the right frame of mind. I'm responsible for the reaction, the result, the performance."
"We've worked on the pitch, worked on everything that needs to be sorted for a footballer. It's not just frame of mind, it's the approach strategy, game plan, tactics, technically. We've had a good week and I feel the boys are ready to give their best.”
"I've been through some very bad moments as a player here and when I've been a manager. I've dealt with setbacks, there have been two or three crisis at least since I became manager here and one thing I can say is I'll always give it a good shot and fight back."
"When you come in for criticism like you do, you come into the trenches with your teammates - whatever this club has been through before, it's always about getting through with courage, togetherness, self-belief, sticking together and this group has done."
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