Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Combined XI

Manchester United face another test for their new look side in midweek as they take on Antonio Conte’s Totttenham side, who currently sit third in the Premier League after their best ever start.

It was this clash last season that sparked the change in north London, with Nuno Espirito Santo losing his job after a 3-0 defeat 12 months ago, which led to the arrival of Antonio Conte.

Now both with new coaches, the two sides are both on the up and are expected to fight it out for Champions League football come the end of the season.

But who would make the starting XI if we merged the two sides? 101 take a look.

GK: Hugo Lloris

The battle between the pair of no.1s is close, but Lloris as captain of both France and Tottenham just edges out United’s David De Gea. So far, Lloris has managed to concede just 0.7 more than expected, while De Gea has managed to ship 2.1 more than he should have according to expected goals. While both will be looking for improvement, the Frenchman has been solid.

RB: Diogo Dalot

With Emerson Royal flattening to deceive and Aaron Wan-Bissaka out of favour, Diogo Dalot almost claims this spot by default, without actually being an outstanding candidate.

Solid but unspectacular at right-back this season, Dalot is sure to improve in the future and the 23-year-old continues to grow into his role in Erik ten Hag’s defence.

CB: Cristian Romero

Tottenham’s Argentine defender has been a key cornerstone of Antonio Conte’s side, and his aggressive runs forward are vital to the Lilywhites, while his defending is also impressive, with the 23-year-old in the top 2% of centre-backs for pressures and in the top 1% for tackles made (as per fbRef)

CB: Raphael Varane

Like Romero, Varane has had his fair share of injuries since he made the switch to the Premier League, but his impact on the Manchester United defence is clear when he does take to the field, especially under Erik ten Hag.

The Frenchman has only lost one of the games that he has started this season (a 6-3 hammering in the Manchester Derby), and he has struck up a strong partnership with summer arrival Lisandro Martinez.

LB: Ivan Perisic

Not yet completely fit, Perisic has nonetheless been an important summer acquisition for Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side, with the Croatian already having weighed in with assists for his new side.

While Malacia and Luke Shaw fight it out at Old Trafford, Perisic has seized his chance in north London, and has made the spot his own.

CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Long shoehorned into a more defensive role, Hojbjerg has become reinvigorated as a box-to-box player under Antonio Conte, and once more underlined this with a well-taken goal against Everton. Now up to three goals this season, the Dane is fast showing himself to be one of the Premier League’s top midfielders.

CM: Christian Eriksen

A man that has played for both sides, Eriksen remains one of the standout players in both squads, even working in a deeper role at Manchester United. How he will be received by the Spurs travelling fans should he be passed fit will be fascinating to see, but the Dane is undoubtedly a star.

CAM: Bruno Fernandes

The numbers have stopped looking quite as rosy for Bruno Fernandes in the past 18 months, but there is no doubt he is still a key player for the Red Devils despite his whingy persona.

With just one goal and one assist so far this campaign, he has not found the form he would have liked, but most good things that the Red Devils do go through the 28 year old.

RW: Heung-Min Son

Another man who is yet to hit the heights of previous seasons this campaign, Son is showing signs of discovering his best form again in the near future, with the Korean forward currently sitting on three goals and two assists in ten Premier League outings.

His defence of the golden boot won last season is over, but he still remains a world-class forward and a perfect foil for the remainder of his side’s frontline.

ST: Harry Kane

With Cristiano Ronaldo spending more time among the substitutes than on the pitch so far this season, it is an easy decision for Harry Kane to lead the line, with the Englishman in great form.

Kane has eight goals in nine outings, something only bettered by the freakish Erling Haaland, and he brings creativity as well as goals to his side.

LW: Antony

With Dejan Kulusevski touch and go for this game, and Richarlison out injured, the final player in the combined frontline has to come from Manchester United. And, since Anthony Martial is also on the treatment table while Ronaldo often warms the bench, it was a toss-up between Marcus Rashford and new signing Antony.

We have opted for the latter, who has registered three goals so far this season in just four Premier League appearances, and has looked bright for the most part in United red.