How Man Utd can silence their critics and beat Tottenham on Sunday

Manchester United can probably wave their Champions League qualification hopes goodbye if they are defeated by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The Red Devils have failed to kick on this season after a fine 2022/23 campaign under Erik ten Hag, but Ange Postecoglou's Spurs have taken their place as one of the Premier League's most interesting and thrilling sides.

There's still time for United to resurrect their season - one that has so far spawned double-digit defeats in all competitions and an embarrassing Champions League exit - and victory against Tottenham could galvanise a club in danger of falling back into crisis.

Here's how United can beat Spurs this weekend.

Hot hearts, cool heads

United didn't do a lot wrong during their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham back in August. On another day, they would have gone a goal or two up with their early flurry of chances, but they ultimately lacked a cutting edge - as has gone on to be a recurring theme this season.

Once Spurs went a goal up just after half-time, United's clearest chances dried up and they were restricted to efforts from range and set pieces. Panic set in and Tottenham were able to ride their momentum to victory.

The same cannot happen at Old Trafford. Without a 61,000-strong crowd behind them, it should be harder for Spurs to eek out such a win in that fashion again, but United have an awful habit of making their visitors feel welcome.

The general feeling in August's fixture was whoever scored first would go on to win. That inkling is still lingering around in January - United need to keep calm in both boxes.

Pace and space

It would be a seriously damning indictment on United if they somehow don't create many or any chances against a Tottenham team still in experimental transition, one that has been chopped and changed plenty in recent weeks due to various injury issues.

As Postecoglou has so often reiterated, his side will endeavour to play in their way. At this stage of their development, they will continue to leave space in behind, just as United will want.

Alejandro Garnacho looks a natural as a touchline right winger and he should be helped by left-back Destiny Udogie tucking into midfield. Marcus Rashford should have similar joy up against Pedro Porro on the other flank.

If there was a game for Rasmus Hojlund to recreate his phenomenal solo goal against Galatasaray in which he carried the ball from the halfway line before dinking the goalkeeper, it's this one, though Tottenham are expected to start fellow physical freak Micky van de Ven following his return from a hamstring injury.

11 alert players

Far, far, far too often this season have United come unstuck just for not trying hard enough on the defensive end. It's a terrible habit that Ten Hag needs to rid of his team.

Whether it's their alertness to loose balls or vulnerability after scoring a goal, United have been too easy to play against. They roll out the red carpet at the worst of times.

For a proactive and fluid team like Tottenham, this could turn a competitive match into a training exercise. The Red Devils cannot afford such frequent lapses in concentration.

The Chelsea blueprint

Arguably United's best performance of the season came against fellow strugglers Chelsea. Much was made of the Blues' positive progress under Mauricio Pochettino ahead of their trip to Old Trafford, but they were schooled by Ten Hag's men.

Fitness has been a huge concern for United this year but they managed to outmuscle and outwit a physical Chelsea side. They have been unable to recreate such performances, but this should be the blueprint for how they play, particularly against Postecoglou's Tottenham.

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