Predicted Man Utd line-up vs Spurs: will Mason Mount start after Wolves performance?

Manchester United narrowly secured the first three points of their Premier League season on Monday after edging out Wolves in a cagey 1-0 win. The Reds’ performance left a lot to be desired and Gary O’Neil’s side will certainly feel hard done by, especially after being denied an injury-time penalty.

But Erik ten Hag’s men emerged victorious thanks to a late Raphaël Varane goal, and now they are looking ahead to their next challenge, which comes in the form of Tottenham Hotspur. United will tackle their first away fixture of the season on Saturday and will be looking to build on their opening performance.

Spurs are looking for their first win of the campaign after drawing 2-2 to Brentford on Sunday. Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal both got on the scoresheet but it wasn’t enough to take all three points, which they will be hoping to do on home soil this weekend against United.

A cagey opener from Man United

Of course, any win is an important one, and if United go on to secure top four again, they won’t remember the small margins like their opener against Wolves. However, in the immediate, it’s worth looking at what wasn’t really clicking for the Reds in what many thought would have been a comfortable performance.

Mason Mount didn’t exactly have the debut of dreams but the team overall weren’t looking their best either, so it would be a bit rash to dump their most expensive signing of the window after just one game, which didn’t even end in a negative result. Ten Hag will likely stick with Mount and see if he can kick into a higher gear against Spurs.

However, he may opt for a more experienced attacking threat in choosing Jadon Sancho over Alejandro Garnacho. The 19-year-old couldn’t really find his groove on Monday so the manager might decide to switch things up a bit on the left. United will also be without new signing Rasmus Hojlund, who is out of action with a back problem.

Tom Heaton, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo are all ruled out as well, while Lisandro Martinez is a doubt after picking up a knock and being brought off against Wolves. Victor Lindelöf could get the nod in his place.

Man United predicted line-up

Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelöf, Shaw, Casemiro, Antony, Fernandes, Mount, Sancho, Rashford.

Spurs looking for first win

Scoring two goals in your first match of the season is definitely a positive takeaway, but not being able to claim the win will certainly dampen the occasion. Spurs will be eager to give United a run for their money and utilise new signing James Maddison, who provided two assists against Brentford and will hope to continue in similar form.

Richarlison has big shoes to fill now he is seemingly Tottenham’s first choice man up front following Harry Kane’s exit. He’ll be hoping to register a decent goalscoring return this season, with new captain Son Heung-min feeding him from the wing.

Overall, there’s not much Spurs should be looking to change. Cristian Romero was doubtful after being forced off the pitch due to concussion protocol against Brentford, but Ange Postecoglou has confirmed he is ‘good to go’ ahead of the United clash.

Spurs predicted line-up

Vicario; Royal, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Skipp, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Maddison, Son, Richarlison.