This year neither team has a clear advantage over the other, but a run of disappointing results for Manchester United may give Tottenham confidence.
Erik ten Hag and Ange Postecoglou are both under pressure to deliver a good result, having recently lost to their arch rivals Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.
Ahead of the Red Devils’ showdown with Spurs at Old Trafford today, Mail Sport has selected a combined XI made up of players from both clubs.
Only players who are fit to play have been included. As a result, the likes of Son Heung-min, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw do not feature.
But who has made the cut? Scroll on to find out…
Tottenham will hope to beat Manchester United and strengthen their top four hopes today
United boss Erik ten Hag is under pressure to deliver results after a sluggish start to the season
Formation: 4-3-3
GK – Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
One of our more controversial picks, Vicario has been impressive at Spurs, and frankly much better value for money than Andre Onana for United.
Most neutrals would agree Vicario was one of the standout goalkeepers of last season and the statistics backed it up. Indeed, he had the fourth best passing accuracy and second most keeper sweeper regains.
Onana was nothing to sneeze at, though, with the most saves in the season (149). But while Onana has improved since his United debut and still continues to impress, we felt that Vicario’s form is on a more positive trajectory.
Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been given the nod ahead of Andre Onana
RB – Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
Porro is currently in good form, good enough that he was recalled to the Spanish national team last season. Porro has become a key player for Postecoglou’s Spurs and has been effective down the wing.
Now that Dalot is playing at left back, we have decided to slot Porro in on the right.
CB – Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
Despite a propensity for getting booked, Romero has rightly been described by Postecoglou as ‘the rock’ of Tottenham’s defense. Pro-active and on the front foot, Romero often makes crucial interceptions in the midfield.
Moreover, his accuracy has proved vital for Postecoglou’s passing game. Currently, he sits in the top 10 in the league for passing accuracy. Romero should make a fine addition to the team, so long as he does not earn himself another caution.
Cristian Romero is Spurs’ rock at the heart of their defence and his passing is crucial
CB – Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)
Our first pick from United. Known for his aggressive defense, which was on full display last week against Crystal Palace, Martinez is a strong addition to the line-up.
Unfortunately, he only played 11 games in the 2023-24 season due to injury, but he is back and capable of sensational tackles.
Though he is yet to hit his best form, he is the right choice for the other centre back position in this match-up.
Lisandro Martinez is an aggressive centre back and is capable of sensational challenges
LB – Diogo Dalot (Manchester United)
Dalot completes the back four having done a superb job in Luke Shaw’s absence. He has adapted very well to playing on the left side of the pitch despite being naturally right footed.
He was awarded United’s Player of the Year award for the 23-24 season and was one the best players on the field in their last Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
That makes him a solid choice as left back for our starting XI.
CM – James Maddison (Tottenham)
The England international impressed early last season and has recovered well from his preseason injury. He is in excellent form.
Maddison is one of the best attacking minded midfielders in the Premier League right now and arguably the most creative player that Tottenham have.
He has chalked up a goal and three assists already so far this season and will be looking forward to adding to that tally on Sunday. In short, Maddison is an obvious choice, and easily secures his spot in our midfield.
James Maddison has caught the eye this season and is arguably Spurs’ most creative influence
CM – Yves Bissouma (Tottenham)
Once a United target, Spurs’ Bissouma slots in between our other midfielders. He is a versatile player who can both score at one end and defend at the other.
Though he struggled during his first year with Spurs, he has been impressive this season having scored in three of his last four matches for club and country.
We think he will provide balance in an otherwise offensive-minded midfield.
CM – Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Fernandes is our final midfield pick. Arguably United’s best player, the playmaker has been one of the most dependable players in Ten Hag’s team.
Fernandes was United’s top scorer last year in a season where Marcus Rashford was nowhere and Rasmus Hojlund stuttered in his first campaign in England. Many fans would pay good money to see Fernandes and Maddison playing for the same team.
Bruno Fernandes is typically dependent for United despite his drop-off in form this campaign
RW – Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham)
With the right wing still proving to be an area of weakness for United, Tottenham’s Kulusevski has fended off the competition to take this position.
Kulusevski has been playing more centrally for Postecoglou this season and has impressed his former critics.
His exceptional speed and stamina would make him particularly dangerous on the wing and he is in an excellent run of form. Kulusevski makes a fine pick here.
Dejan Kulusevki has been selected at right wing due to his exceptional speed and stamina
ST – Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)
Spurs moved for Solanke over the likes of Ivan Toney and the reasons why are now clear for all to see. The £65million ace is a penalty area predator and reliable creative force when dropping deeper around the edge of the box and linking up play.
It took him longer than he would have wanted to score his first for the club but he now appears to have found his stride. Just try stopping him now.
United do not even get a look in for our striker pick. Joshua Zirkzee has not yet made an impression and Hojlund has only just returned from a hamstring injury.
Dominic Solanke has found his feet at Spurs and has been picked ahead of his United rivals
LW – Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
Garnacho pips Rashford to our final slot, due to his run of good form, including two goals and two assists against Barnsley. His speed, skill and ability on the ball is impressive and he is truly starting to blossom under Ten Hag.
On his day, Rashford is in conversation with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka for one of the finest wingers in the Premier League, as shown during the 2022-2023 season.
However, he has suffered from a goal drought as of late, although this barren spell was brought to an end with a fine strike in the win against Southampton.
That means that based on current form, Garnacho has to be our pick.