Tweet
Man Utd v Tottenham
Old Trafford
Sunday, 26 August
Kick-off: 1600 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day. Featured game on Score and Final Score.
Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has been ruled out for two more weeks after picking up a thigh injury.
Striker Louis Saha is likely to be on the bench, keeper Edwin van der Sar (foot) is also available and Anderson is set to make his competitive bow.
Gareth Bale could make his Tottenham debut and Dimitar Berbatov may return but Darren Bent (thigh) is a doubt.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Michael Dawson, Younes Kaboul, Ledley King and Aaron Lennon are all out.
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Evra, Silvestre, Fletcher, Eagles, Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson, Giggs, Saha, Tevez.
Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Bale, Lee, Stalteri, Gardner, Rocha, Zokora, Tainio, Jenas, Routledge, Malbranque, Boateng, Huddlestone, Ghaly, Murphy, Taarabt, Berbatov, Bent, Keane, Defoe.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"We will win the game on Sunday. Our performance level will win the game for us.
"There is no question Tottenham will come here with a great determination to help their manager. "But with the ability in this team, I know the results we have been having will not carry on for long."
Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas:
"We know it will be a really tough game.
"They are going to be battling themselves and won't be happy with their start. "Being a big club like us, they will be feeling it. They would have expected to have been in a better position than they are - exactly like we do."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester United have made their worst start to a Premier League campaign since the inaugural season in 1992-93.
The Red Devils have never had fewer than four points after the first four matches of a Premier League campaign.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have not won in five league outings, and scored just one goal in the five matches.
This is a massively important game for Tottenham manager Martin Jol. Spurs have only registered one win against any of the so-called "Big Four" since the Dutchman took over just under three years ago; that victory being 2-1, home to Chelsea on 5 November 2006.
United have not suffered back-to-back defeats in 84 Premier League matches.
Spurs have never won a Premier League fixture at Old Trafford.
CLUB FORM
MANCHESTER UNITED
1. One of three clubs to have scored just one Premier League goal so far. The others are Aston Villa and West Ham.
2. One of five clubs still searching for a first Premier League victory. The others are Aston Villa, Birmingham, Bolton and Derby.
3. Lost 1-0, away to local rivals Manchester City last time out. They've not suffered successive league defeats since Norwich (a) and Everton (a) defeated them on 9 and 20 April 2005 respectively.
4. Picked up just three points from a last possible 15, since beating Manchester City at Eastlands on 5 May.
5. Gone six games since scoring more than a single goal in a game - the longest current such run by any club in the Premier League. They last netted more than one in the 4-2 home win over Everton on 28 April.
6. Defeat here would make this the clubs' worst ever start under Sir Alex Ferguson.
7. Entering the weekend in 16th spot - their lowest since the first few weeks of the first ever Premier League season in 1992.
8. Dropped only seven points in their first 17 games last season.
9. Not won a home league game for over four months, since the 2-0 eclipse of Sheffield United on 17 April.
10. A home clash with Roy Keane's Sunderland is the next fixture after this.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
1. The current tally of three points after three matches, mirrors their start last season.
2. Twelve months ago they made their worst start in 11 years when bagging just three points from the first four games.
3. The shut-out against Derby last time out was only their third clean sheet in 31 league matches.
4. Also gone 31 league games since a goalless draw; that being away to Watford on 28 October last year.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
MANCHESTER UNITED
Paul SCHOLES has netted Manchester United's only goal so far. His strike against Portsmouth made him the club's highest Premier League scorer with 96 goals. Ryan GIGGS has 93.
GIGGS has scored seven times in Premier League matches against Tottenham, including one in their first ever meeting in this league on 19 September 1992, which ended 1-1.
SCHOLES has scored four league goals, and one in the FA Cup, against Tottenham.
GIGGS is a double short of 100 career League goals.
If he plays:- Michael CARRICK will be facing a former club. The 26 year old England international midfielder made 75 appearances (64 in the league) and scored two league goals for Spurs between August 2004 and his £18.6m move to Old Trafford in July last year.
If on the field from the outset:-
Edwin VAN DER SAR will be making his 200th career Premier League start (Fulham and Manchester United). John O'SHEA will be making his 200th start for Manchester United.
Suspended:- Cristiano RONALDO (two matches)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Steed MALBRANQUE is Tottenham's top scorer with two Premier League goals.
If he plays:- Jermain DEFOE will be making his 150th appearance in a Tottenham shirt.
Tom HUDDLESTONE will be making his 150th club career appearance (Derby, Spurs and Wolves).
HEAD TO HEAD
Manchester United are unbeaten in 12 Premier League games against Tottenham (10 wins, two draws), winning the last three.
Spurs last beat United in the closing game of the 2000-01 season, when Les Ferdinand added to Willem Korsten's brace in a 3-1 victory.
The Londoners' only triumph in 29 annual top flight visits to Old Trafford was 0-1 on 16 December 1989 when Gary Lineker scored an historic winner. Since then Tottenham have drawn four and lost 13 of 17 League trips.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Man United 69 wins, Spurs 35, Draws 36
Prem: Man United 22 wins, Spurs 3, Draws 5
at Man United only
League (inc PL): Man United 46 wins, Spurs 10, Draws 14
Prem: Man United 12 wins, Spurs 0, Draws 3
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
9 September 2006 - Ref: Mike Riley
Man United scorer: Giggs 9
REFEREE
Howard Webb (Yorkshire)
Old Trafford
Sunday, 26 August
Kick-off: 1600 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day. Featured game on Score and Final Score.
Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has been ruled out for two more weeks after picking up a thigh injury.
Striker Louis Saha is likely to be on the bench, keeper Edwin van der Sar (foot) is also available and Anderson is set to make his competitive bow.
Gareth Bale could make his Tottenham debut and Dimitar Berbatov may return but Darren Bent (thigh) is a doubt.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Michael Dawson, Younes Kaboul, Ledley King and Aaron Lennon are all out.
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Evra, Silvestre, Fletcher, Eagles, Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson, Giggs, Saha, Tevez.
Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Bale, Lee, Stalteri, Gardner, Rocha, Zokora, Tainio, Jenas, Routledge, Malbranque, Boateng, Huddlestone, Ghaly, Murphy, Taarabt, Berbatov, Bent, Keane, Defoe.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"We will win the game on Sunday. Our performance level will win the game for us.
"There is no question Tottenham will come here with a great determination to help their manager. "But with the ability in this team, I know the results we have been having will not carry on for long."
Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas:
"We know it will be a really tough game.
"They are going to be battling themselves and won't be happy with their start. "Being a big club like us, they will be feeling it. They would have expected to have been in a better position than they are - exactly like we do."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester United have made their worst start to a Premier League campaign since the inaugural season in 1992-93.
The Red Devils have never had fewer than four points after the first four matches of a Premier League campaign.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have not won in five league outings, and scored just one goal in the five matches.
This is a massively important game for Tottenham manager Martin Jol. Spurs have only registered one win against any of the so-called "Big Four" since the Dutchman took over just under three years ago; that victory being 2-1, home to Chelsea on 5 November 2006.
United have not suffered back-to-back defeats in 84 Premier League matches.
Spurs have never won a Premier League fixture at Old Trafford.
CLUB FORM
MANCHESTER UNITED
1. One of three clubs to have scored just one Premier League goal so far. The others are Aston Villa and West Ham.
2. One of five clubs still searching for a first Premier League victory. The others are Aston Villa, Birmingham, Bolton and Derby.
3. Lost 1-0, away to local rivals Manchester City last time out. They've not suffered successive league defeats since Norwich (a) and Everton (a) defeated them on 9 and 20 April 2005 respectively.
4. Picked up just three points from a last possible 15, since beating Manchester City at Eastlands on 5 May.
5. Gone six games since scoring more than a single goal in a game - the longest current such run by any club in the Premier League. They last netted more than one in the 4-2 home win over Everton on 28 April.
6. Defeat here would make this the clubs' worst ever start under Sir Alex Ferguson.
7. Entering the weekend in 16th spot - their lowest since the first few weeks of the first ever Premier League season in 1992.
8. Dropped only seven points in their first 17 games last season.
9. Not won a home league game for over four months, since the 2-0 eclipse of Sheffield United on 17 April.
10. A home clash with Roy Keane's Sunderland is the next fixture after this.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
1. The current tally of three points after three matches, mirrors their start last season.
2. Twelve months ago they made their worst start in 11 years when bagging just three points from the first four games.
3. The shut-out against Derby last time out was only their third clean sheet in 31 league matches.
4. Also gone 31 league games since a goalless draw; that being away to Watford on 28 October last year.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
MANCHESTER UNITED
Paul SCHOLES has netted Manchester United's only goal so far. His strike against Portsmouth made him the club's highest Premier League scorer with 96 goals. Ryan GIGGS has 93.
GIGGS has scored seven times in Premier League matches against Tottenham, including one in their first ever meeting in this league on 19 September 1992, which ended 1-1.
SCHOLES has scored four league goals, and one in the FA Cup, against Tottenham.
GIGGS is a double short of 100 career League goals.
If he plays:- Michael CARRICK will be facing a former club. The 26 year old England international midfielder made 75 appearances (64 in the league) and scored two league goals for Spurs between August 2004 and his £18.6m move to Old Trafford in July last year.
If on the field from the outset:-
Edwin VAN DER SAR will be making his 200th career Premier League start (Fulham and Manchester United). John O'SHEA will be making his 200th start for Manchester United.
Suspended:- Cristiano RONALDO (two matches)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Steed MALBRANQUE is Tottenham's top scorer with two Premier League goals.
If he plays:- Jermain DEFOE will be making his 150th appearance in a Tottenham shirt.
Tom HUDDLESTONE will be making his 150th club career appearance (Derby, Spurs and Wolves).
HEAD TO HEAD
Manchester United are unbeaten in 12 Premier League games against Tottenham (10 wins, two draws), winning the last three.
Spurs last beat United in the closing game of the 2000-01 season, when Les Ferdinand added to Willem Korsten's brace in a 3-1 victory.
The Londoners' only triumph in 29 annual top flight visits to Old Trafford was 0-1 on 16 December 1989 when Gary Lineker scored an historic winner. Since then Tottenham have drawn four and lost 13 of 17 League trips.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Man United 69 wins, Spurs 35, Draws 36
Prem: Man United 22 wins, Spurs 3, Draws 5
at Man United only
League (inc PL): Man United 46 wins, Spurs 10, Draws 14
Prem: Man United 12 wins, Spurs 0, Draws 3
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
9 September 2006 - Ref: Mike Riley
Man United scorer: Giggs 9
REFEREE
Howard Webb (Yorkshire)
Comment