Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points in Matchweek 15.
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Jose Mourinho will lean heavily on in-form Dele Alli and Son Heung-min to ensure his eagerly-anticipated return to Old Trafford is a successful one.
Both attacking midfielders are thriving under the new Tottenham Hotspur head coach, making nine direct goal contributions between them - four goals and five assists - across his first three matches in charge in all competitions.
Alli back on song
Seemingly liberated by Mourinho's desire to use him in a slightly more advanced role, Alli has been in outstanding form.
He scored twice from lofted Toby Alderweireld passes at home against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, when his trademark forward runs from the No 10 position were a constant threat.
The England international touched the ball 10 times inside the penalty area in the 3-2 win, having registered only seven touches in the box during his previous 451 minutes of Premier League action.
Alli is unlikely to make the same number of forward bursts in a more testing fixture at Manchester United but the hosts must still be wary of his movement.
Boasting a conversion rate of 36.4 per cent and scoring a goal every 135 minutes this season - a better return than Harry Kane - the resurgent midfielder cannot be ignored.
Alli's 2019/20 stats
| Under Pochettino | Under Mourinho | |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes played | 372 | 168 |
| Touches per 90 | 63 | 69 |
| Touches in box per 90 | 1.5 | 5.9 |
| Shots per 90 | 1 | 3.8 |
| Shots in box per 90 | 0.7 | 2.7 |
Leaning to the left
One standout feature of Mourinho's Spurs side has been the overloads they are trying to create down the left-hand side.
The three left-backs used so far, Ben Davies, Danny Rose and Jan Vertonghen, have all held back from making too many forays forward.
Instead Alli has regularly slid across to play in close proximity to Son down that side.
In all three appearances under Mourinho the 23-year-old has taken up positions to the left of centre, an area of the pitch where Spurs have subsequently enjoyed a lot of success.
With attack-minded right-back Serge Aurier expected to start behind either Moussa Sissoko or Lucas Moura on the right side at Old Trafford, it makes sense not to overcrowd that flank.
When crosses fly across the box from Spurs' attacks from that side, Alli, Son and Kane will all be in position to supply the finishing touch.
A test for Lindelof and Wan-Bissaka
Alli and Son certainly have the ability to provide a stern test for Man Utd defenders Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The pair endured some difficult moments against Aston Villa on Sunday and, in a 3-4-2-1 formation, they also struggled to contain Sheffield United's attacks down the left flank back in Matchweek 13.
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are to keep their first clean sheet in 10 Premier League matches, Lindelof and Wan-Bissaka will need to be on top of their game.
With neither United nor Spurs exuding defensive solidity at the moment, this has the look of a match that could develop into a shootout between the forwards.
