Manchester United can prove their intriguing tactical shift is no fluke with perfect Tottenham test

Manchester United face a crucial early season fixture against Tottenham on Sunday as both clubs try to revive their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

The two teams have identical records of two wins, two defeats and a draw in the league so far this season and it has been an underwhelming start for both. While Tottenham are sweating on the fitness of Son Heung-min, United have no fresh injury worries and £42m summer signing Manuel Ugarte could make his first start in the Premier League.

United head into the game unbeaten in four matches in all competitions but they have drawn their last two against Crystal Palace and FC Twente and will want to return to winning form at Old Trafford.

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Attacking combination

Erik ten Hag wasn’t given an easy introduction in his pre-Tottenham press conference. The first question he faced was, essentially, what is wrong with your team at the moment?

It didn’t take the Manchester United manager long to come up with an answer either. “Not scoring goals, that is the problem.”

It’s a strange thing to say about a team that scored 10 in 180 minutes just over a week ago, but the fill-your-boots fixtures against Southampton and Barnsley do increasingly feel like a one-off. In their other six games this season, United have scored only four times.

United have outshot Crystal Palace and FC Twente 34 to 16 this week but won neither. They have to become more ruthless.

The challenge for Ten Hag this week is to find the right combination in his front three. Marcus Rashford has looked the best attacker in recent weeks and should start. Joshua Zirkzee makes the team play better but Rasmus Hojlund looks the more likely striker to score, which present a dilemma. Then there is a battle between Amad and Alejandro Garnacho. There are some tricky decisions to make.

Possession battle

In this fixture last season the points and four goals were shared. It was an entertaining game in which United had just 37% of possession despite playing at home. It was fitting for the style of both teams at the time and it Spurs who looked the more vibrant force going forward.

This weekend, the game is a chance for Ten Hag’s team to show how far they have come. After averaging just over 50% of possession in the Premier League last season, United’s tally in their five games so far has risen to 56.6%. There has been a clear shift to a more controlled style. They have had more of the ball than the opposition in their last seven matches in all competitions.

But that desire to become a possession-based team rather than one that flourishes almost solely on transitions will face its toughest test so far against Tottenham. Ange Postecoglou has quickly turned Spurs into a team that cherishes the ball and only Manchester City have a higher share of possession than their 63.2% this season.

It feels like an afternoon where we could learn a lot more about United’s approach this season.

Ugarte promotion

The case for starting Manuel Ugarte at Crystal Palace last week looked strong after an impressive first start against Barnsley but the Urugauyan found the going a lot tougher against FC Twente.

He did at least get through 90 minutes in the Europa League fixture and after Christian Eriksen’s mistake led to the equaliser for the Eredivisie side, Ten Hag might see this as the ideal moment to make the change. Ugarte is a certainty to be part of United’s best midfield going forward and against an inventive Spurs side, this is the ideal moment to hand him his first Premier League start.

A big week

Four unbeaten or two without a win? It’s a glass half full question for United fans and most of them would seem to class this week as a disappointment so far. It’s hard to disagree after draws with Palace and FC Twente. The pressure is beginning to build a little again on Ten Hag and this is the start of a big week. He could really do with a victory to kick it off.

United travel to Portugal in midweek to face Porto on Thursday and while their Europa League campaign should still be a cruise into the top eight, the stakes have been raised ever so slightly after Wednesday. Then comes Sunday and a trip to an in-form Aston Villa . It’s three tricky games and United need a win on the board.

Champions League fight

United and Tottenham both contested Europa League fixtures this week but both will believe they belong in the Champions League. Winning the Europa League, for which they are favourites, would guarantee a return to the top table, but the most likely route remains through the domestic league.

Competition for the top four or five remains fierce and with Aston Villa and Newcastle starting well, it’s going to be a battle once again. With two wins, one draw and two defeats, United and Spurs have identical records and ground to make up, so even at this early stage it is an important game.