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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 21
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Old Trafford
Manchester, England
Sunday, 14 January 2024
Kick-off is at 18h30
Tottenham will look to climb back into the
Premier League's top four when they make the long journey to the north-west to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, January 14.
Spurs recovered from a sticky patch which saw them go winless from November 6 to December 7 as they won four of their last five games in 2023 to close within a point of fierce North London rivals Arsenal in fifth position.
Ange Postecoglou's side beat Bournemouth 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 31 to bounce back from the disappointing 4-2 defeat at Brighton three days earlier.
The Lilywhites opened up a five-gap gap to sixth-placed West Ham, who played out to a goalless draw with the Seagulls (7th) on January 2, while the Gunners dropped to fourth in the standings following a second successive defeat.
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The Red Devils will be hoping for better fortunes in the New Year after they picked up just one win in their last five matches in December.
Erik ten Hag's side closed out the calendar year with a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on December 30, which left them down in eighth spot, nine points adrift of the UEFA Champions League places.
Alejandro Garnacho has been criticised for not scoring enough goals for United as a starter this season, but he gave the perfect response in his last two outings. The Argentine winger scored a match-winning brace against Aston Villa on Boxing Day before regaining possession and setting up Marcus Rashford with a neat cutback pass to equalise against Forest.
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Richarlison has rediscovered his scoring boots after a slow start to the campaign, when he found the back of the net just once in his opening 10 matches before being sidelined with a groin injury. The Brazilian has been in fine form of late, sealing a 3-1 win against the Cherries to make it five goals in his last five appearances.
Ten Hag pointed to United's long injury list as the cause for their inconsistent performances this season as he's not been able to field his strongest starting XI once in their opening 20 games.
"We haven't played with the same team in a row. We had to change again so every time we have to swap our team," the Dutchman told Sky Sports.
"That doesn't help or support the routines of the team and it explains why you are so inconsistent. We had nine different partnerships in the back. It doesn't matter as well, the fans don't want to hear this, they want to see us winning and that is what we have to serve them.
"The injuries [are the main issue]. Also some issues but mainly the injuries hold us back in the process. In January we have a lot of players returning, so then our levels can be higher."
Postecoglou was pleased with how the season has panned out for Spurs thus far and continues to see progress from his players even when the results haven't always gone their way.
"We're three points off the top (before Liverpool's win over Newcastle) so if that is the difference between having a great season and where we are I'll take it," he said.
"When you're trying to build something you will undoubtedly come up against some challenges. I am seeing progress. Sometimes it is not tangible and not football or results, sometimes it is just the team growing. There was more growth today."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man United - 3
Tottenham - 1
Draws - 1
Premier League Matchday 21 fixtures:
Friday, January 12
21h45: Burnley v Luton Town
Saturday, January 13
14h30: Chelsea v Fulham
19h30: Newcastle United v Manchester City
Sunday, January 14
16h00: Everton v Aston Villa
18h30: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
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