3 Things Pochettino Needs To Do To Beat Manchester United Tomorrow
Having been pushed out of the League Cup earlier this week by rivals West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur are back in action this weekend when they travel to Old Trafford in what is the game of the weekend. Spurs are healing from a shock defeat to West Ham at Carabao cup at home but beat Liverpool 4-1 last weekend. They will face a tough test against a Manchester United side, that won their League Cup encounter this week.
Jose Mourinho will have plans of his own but what should Pochettino do to take all three points from this game? Here are three things that might help the Argentine give United their second defeat of the season:
Keep Lukaku Quiet
The Belgian striker is easily one of the best finishers in England at the moment and though he has drawn blanks in the last two games, he is still the danger man to Spurs this weekend. United have a lot of quality in the attack but goals come from Lukaku and if he is not given the time or space in the final third, the hosts are sure to struggle to find the back of the net. Though it won’t win them the game directly, keeping Lukaku frustrated will take them half-way there.
Exploit The Full-backs
Manchester United have a solid squad, with players effective and productive in their roles. Leaving the attack of the squad aside, the Red Devils have an envious midfield line-up which might see Nemanja Matic and Daley Blind start this weekend. Neither player will give Spurs’ attackers anything to work with. If they do lose out, the centre-backs will make it even difficult. As good as a form Harry Kane is in, it will be important for Spurs to exploit United’s full-backs as they seem to be the weakest link in the squad at the moment.
Spurs’ direct approach to football will surely be rewarded but it will be important for Pochettino to make special plans to exploit the flanks this weekend.
Have a Plan B
But more importantly, Pochettino needs to have a fixed plan to beat United. They need a Plan B and maybe even one more, if they are to take all three points from this game. Mourinho will want a victory but might set up his team to frustrate Spurs, which has worked in the past. The Portuguese tactician might also surprise everyone by going for the kill.
Pochettino has no chance to know how his opponents will set themselves up this weekend and it will be important for the manager to have plans ready to counter anything thrown at them at Old Trafford.
Comments are closed.