Premier League preview: Manchester United v Tottenham

Wayne Rooney

Sir Alex Ferguson would have felt a familiar feeling at Anfield on Sunday.

The feeling wasn’t winning at the home of a club he has always enjoyed beating ever since he headed south for Old Trafford 26 years ago – United hadn’t won at Anfield for five years before last week – nor was it being on the end of a couple of helpful refereeing decisions, even if that feeling is a bit more familiar than many would like.

Instead, Ferguson would have been basking in the glow of United winning when not playing well.

Their goals at Anfield came from pretty much their only efforts at Pepe Reina’s goal all afternoon, with Rafael’s sublime strike and Robin van Persie’s penalty securing a three points that had to be worked hard for despite the first half sending off of Liverpool’s Jonjo Shelvey.

As Ferguson will tell you though, it is wins such as that one which are the most satisfying. As other people will tell you, it is wins such as that one which define champions.

Winning again this weekend could be a little tricky though.

Andre Villas-Boas and his Tottenham side arrive at Old Trafford having seemingly overcome their early season teething problems.

Wins over Reading and QPR in each of their last two Premier League games have finally got the Tottenham train to leave the station, with Villas-Boas also pleased with the effort, dedication and quality shown in the Capital One Cup victory at Carlisle United on Wednesday night.

Old Trafford is a stage a little bigger than Brunton Park of course, and whilst Villas-Boas became acutely aware of that when his Chelsea team lost 3-1 there last season, he’s showing no fear as he makes his return.

“It’s a difficult game, of course,” understated the Spurs boss. “It would be tremendous for us to go there and win, because we would really move up the table, join the top group and that would have an important meaning for everyone at this time.

“Obviously, we know the task, to go to United and win is always extremely difficult.

“But as long as there is belief, as long as there is motivation, there is certainly more chance of getting it.”

You can’t help to admire his style, and there seems to be no dwelling on the past as Spurs bid for a first victory at United since December 1989. They’ve visited 26 times since then, losing 22 including the last nine in a row.

That will be of little concern to the likes of Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe though, and both will return to the Spurs line-up here after missing the win at Carlisle. Brad Friedel will start in goal again as the revolving door policy in front of the Tottenham net continues.

He’s likely to be trying to keep out Wayne Rooney at some point of the match on Saturday evening, even if the forward – who was sporting a hefty scar on his right leg during his injury comeback against Newcastle in the Capital One Cup in midweek – isn’t considered ready to start his first league match in over a month by Ferguson. Antonio Valencia is doubtful with an ankle knock he picked up at Anfield.

The three points they got there may have been special to Ferguson, but although he’s too shrewd to dwell on them he might find that he’ll have trouble repeating the feat here.

Spurs might not have enough just yet to end that 23-year wait for a victory in Salford, but Villas-Boas and his men could grind out a point which would further boost morale.

And drawing at home isn’t a feeling that Ferguson is particularly fond of.

Prediction: Manchester United 1 Tottenham 1

Mark Jones – follow me on twitter

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