Can Van de Ven stop him? Tottenham vs Man United: Three key battles

We saw how Van de Ven influenced the game offensively against Copenhagen in the midweek. But he will have a different threat to deal with come Saturday. He will be facing a physical striker who can end up being a menace with his runs as well as his presence in the box. And that is where the Dutch defender needs to ensure that he remains close to the Slovenian international.

While Sesko is still settling into life in the English top tier, there is a high possibility that United will try to put in crosses onto his head when they don’t get a lot of central access in the final third. This is where it is important to mark him closely and unsettle him enough that he cannot meet those balls.

Djed Spence vs Amad Diallo

With Udogie’s fitness still a bit touch and go, Spence continues to be that steel on the left defensive channel. He will be up against Bryan Mbeumo on paper, but given how the former Brentford star has been playing a bit on the inside, Spence will most likely be up against Amad, especially in block situations.

Amad has been helping United hold that width of late, and given his own abilities to carry the ball, he will try to get some offensive ground before passing on the inside and trying to get the ball around the central zones for the likes of Mbeumo. Or he tries to take on his man to create crossing situations.

Given that Spence is quite apt on the defensive side of things, he should be able to keep Amad quiet. The only thing would be whether he can avoid that marking confusion when Mbeumo starts sequences alongside him.

With Amad more offensive in nature, Spence should have some opportunities to run down the channel as well.

Mohammed Kudus vs Diogo Dalot

United will likely have Dalot playing in that left wing-back role. But he will be up against Tottenham’s most likely threat in Mohammed Kudus. While the Ghanaian is doubtful for making it to the game, if he does end up being fit, then Dalot will have a lot of problems to deal with. Suddenly the Portuguese has to think whether Kudus will take him inside or outside or whether he will try to pickpocketor beat him for pace.

Dalot will need to anticipate what Kudus is trying to do and try to avoid him making inward runs.

But if Kudus were to get some space or to get better in 1‑v‑1s, then Tottenham will create the kind of attacking momentum that they have lacked of late. But if Dalot were to limit his influence, then suddenly there would not be major threats to United’s structure.