A blockbuster Premier League encounter is right around the block as Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United at the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With both giants eager to return to the Champions League places, this looms as a pivotal contest to kick-start a crucial period in the race for the top four.

Match Details

This highly anticipated match takes place on Aug 19, 2023 at 5.30 pm BST.

After significant investment in the January transfer window, there is plenty at stake when these closely matched top four challengers face off in North London.

Spurs have home advantage but United's new-look team could swing the outcome in their favor. Strap in for a cracker between two attacking powerhouses desperate for three points to reinforce their ambitions.

Tottenham Hotspur

Attacking Reinforcements for Ambitious Spurs

It's been another transfer window of major investment for Tottenham as they chase success on multiple fronts under demanding boss Ange Postecoglou.

Some stellar names have come in to strengthen a squad already blessed with impressive depth.

The headline arrival saw Dejan Kulusevski join permanently after initially joining on loan from Juventus. Securing him long-term is a smart piece of business.

Postecoglou now possesses tremendous depth across the park to maintain challenges on four fronts. Keeping all his stars satisfied with sufficient playing time while maintaining harmony could be tough. But if the demanding he can keep Tottenham's expensively assembled squad united, they should be major players at the business end across all competitions.

Son Still the Main Man Up Front

The one constant is talismanic forward Son Heung-min continuing to lead the line and spearhead the attack. The skipper is again delivering the goods under taskmaster Postecoglou.

Stationed on the wings, Son's intelligent movement and link play remains Spurs' chief creative outlet. His finishing ability from any range makes him a constant threat, while his aerial strength and capacity to drop deeper provides opportunities for the speedy wide men to dart in behind.

In Son, Kulusevski and Richarlison, Postecoglou has pacey options to flank Son with dribbling ability and end product. But it is the Korean striker who makes it all click. Keeping Son fit and firing is almost as important to Spurs' ambitions as any new marquee signing.

Home Stronghold Fuels Top Four Push

Under demanding boss Postecoglou, Spurs have developed the ruthless edge and unshakeable consistency required to regularly dispatch visitors to North London. 

With the Gunners and City in full throttle, gatecrashing the top four now looks a very difficult target. Postecoglou has transformed dropping points at their state-of-the-art home into a rarity. To finish above Arsenal, maintaining their miserly home defensive record and clinical finishing is essential.

Starting fast and immediately taking the game to United will be critical. The Spurs cannot afford another slow start like last year. With rivals ready to capitalize on any slip up, banking maximum points from their fortress-like home is a must.

Manchester United

Ten Hag Has Steadied the Ship at Old Trafford

After a rocky start to life at Old Trafford, Dutch tactician Erik Ten Hag has steadied the ship and brought back optimism. The former Ajax boss has tinkered intelligently with tactics and personnel until finding a formula that gets the best from his talented squad.

United have charged up the Premier League standings on the back of their successful campaign last season which saw them return to the Champions League places.

There is a renewed sense of belief and positivity flowing through a gifted squad brimming with individual brilliance, that was looking fractured and underwhelming earlier this term.

Ten Hag's honest man management and meticulous attention to detail has helped revive key players like Rashford, Fernandes and Shaw, coaxing them back towards their best form.

The Dutchman has instilled more structure and a clearer playing identity without unbalancing an expensively assembled squad overflowing with game-changing talent.

Midfield Energy

In central midfield, the arrival of Mason Mount from Chelsea adds dynamism and tidy distribution alongside either Casemiro or Bruno Fernandes in deeper roles.

Christian Eriksen's vision, incisive passing and delivery from set pieces remains a huge asset in unpicking stubborn defensive opponents.

Scott McTominay has also stepped up after being challenged by Ten Hag to add more end product and driving runs to his tireless ball-winning capabilities.

Up front, Marcus Rashford has rediscovered his confidence and mojo. Combining his electric pace with the trickery of Antony and cool finishing of new striker Rasmus Højlund makes United a constant threat on the counter.

This rejuvenated United side now travels with renewed belief and swagger again under demanding boss Ten Hag.

Predicted Lineups

Tottenham Hotspur 

Vicario; Emerson, Sanchez, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Skipp, Maddison; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son

Manchester United

Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Rashford, Sancho