How Manchester United Could Lineup Against Tottenham Today

It is time for Manchester United to make a statement.

After a drab draw in their first big test of the season at Anfield, and a desperate display at Huddersfield a week later, Jose Mourinho's side need to get their title tilt back on track against Tottenham.

Spurs may have finished a whopping 17 points clear last season, but United have been in imperious form at Old Trafford and Mourinho has always had the edge on Mauricio Pochettino in home games.

Throw in talisman Harry Kane's injury and United should be full of confidence - even if they are again without Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini.

But just what formation and personnel will Mourinho opt for against Pochettino's free-scoring Spurs?

Here's who our writers think should start

The switch to three at the back propped United up for their outstanding performance of last season against Chelsea at home and it could have a similar effect at Spurs. While it might seem excessive to play that many defenders against a side deprived of Kane, it encourages Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic to play more forward-thinking roles and effect the attack.

Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are musts at wing-back and Marcus Rashford is deserving of a start. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has gone off the boil over the last month but Mourinho has readied him for this game and his recent demotions might galvanise Mkhitaryan against the side he scored past 10 months ago.

His Predicted Starting Lineup

Rashford should get the nod ahead of Anthony Martial after his petulant first-half display at Huddersfield.

Alice McKeegan Prediction

Alice McKeegan

If Bailly is fit then he must start with Phil Jones in defence, even without the threat of Harry Kane. Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young should be certainties while the midfield picks itself, given the lack of fit options.

It's a blow to Mourinho that Pogba doesn't appear to be ready to return but Ander Herrera has received a boost from his manager with his comments at the press conference yesterday.

Mkhitaryan hasn't enjoyed his best games for United recently but taking him out of the starting line-up against Huddersfield proved he wasn't the problem so he should be given another chance to impress. Jesse Lingard did brilliantly against Swansea so should start again.

A maturing Rashford showed against Benfica he is ready to grab games by the lapels so should start against Spurs for that reason alone.