Manchester United and Tottenham will meet at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 10, with both teams looking to improve after disappointing starts to the Premier League season.United has five points from five matches. Tottenham has collected only two points and remains without a league victory under Roberto De Zerbi.Verdict: Manchester United to winBest odds: 19/25Bookmaker: 1xBetManchester UnitedManchester United needs a more convincing performance after a frustrating opening run.Michael Carrick’s team has won only one of its first five Premier League matches. That victory was an emphatic 5-2 home win over Ipswich, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick.United has struggled to produce that level consistently.A draw at Everton was followed by a home defeat against Manchester City. United then needed a late Matheus Cunha equalizer to take a point from its trip to Fulham.There have also been contrasting results in the cup competitions. United beat Sabah 4-0 in the Champions League but lost 3-2 to Brighton in the League Cup after leading by two goals.That defeat highlighted the importance of managing games once United gets ahead.Carrick will want his players to keep attacking with purpose while protecting the spaces around midfield. Tottenham has enough individual quality to punish careless possession, even if its own results have been poor.United should look to involve Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha early. Their movement can make it difficult for defenders to hold a settled position, especially when Fernandes finds time to play forward passes.The hosts also need patience. An anxious start would suit Tottenham, while sustained pressure and sensible use of the ball could gradually expose the visitors’ defensive weaknesses.This is a good opportunity for United to improve its position, but the performance will need to be more controlled than several of its recent displays.Manchester United Team NewsUnited has several fitness concerns following the international break.Patrick Dorgu is a major doubt with a hamstring problem. Noussair Mazraoui is also doubtful after suffering a back injury, while Benjamin Sesko continues to deal with a shin issue.The latest injury assessment offers more encouragement over Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, who are expected to be available despite withdrawing from England duty.Fernandes has been managing a fitness problem, so his condition will also need to be monitored.Senne Lammens should start in goal. Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw offer a possible defensive combination.Youri Tielemans could feature alongside Mainoo if both are ready, with Mbeumo and Cunha expected to play important attacking roles.TottenhamTottenham has had an even more difficult start.Two points from five games have left De Zerbi’s team bottom of the table. The points came from goalless draws against Nottingham Forest and Everton.Scoring has been the biggest concern. Tottenham failed to find the net in four of its opening five league matches.There was some improvement in the 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa before the international break, although the result still left Tottenham searching for its first win.Jan Paul van Hecke and Conor Gallagher scored in that match. The club’s Gameweek 6 preview also highlighted useful contributions from Mohammed Kudus and Andy Robertson.Savio has offered another positive. He created nine chances across his first three league appearances, suggesting that Tottenham has some creativity to build around.The problem is turning those promising moments into enough clear opportunities and goals.At Old Trafford, Tottenham may find space when United pushes forward. Omar Marmoush’s movement and Dominic Solanke’s presence could give the visitors a route into the match.However, De Zerbi also needs greater security when his team builds from the back. Losing possession near its own penalty area would give United exactly the kind of opportunities it needs.Tottenham has enough talent to make this competitive, but its performances have yet to establish a convincing balance between attacking ambition and defensive protection.Tottenham Team NewsPedro Porro remains unavailable with a thigh injury.Dejan Kulusevski is also sidelined with a knee problem, while Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert continue their recoveries from ACL injuries.Mykhailo Mudryk is another absentee because of an ankle or foot issue.There is more encouraging news over Van Hecke and Micky van de Ven. Both are hoping to be available after recent foot and wrist concerns, respectively, according to the latest defensive fitness update.Antonin Kinsky should continue in goal.Archie Gray offers an option at right-back in Porro’s absence, while Robertson should be involved on the opposite side.Sandro Tonali and Rodrigo Bentancur provide midfield options, with Savio, Kudus, Marmoush and Solanke competing for attacking roles.Manchester United vs Tottenham key factors to considerManchester United has five points from its opening five Premier League matches.Tottenham has two points and remains without a league win.United’s only league victory this season was a 5-2 home win over Ipswich.Tottenham has failed to score in four of its first five league games.United has conceded in every Premier League match this season.Tottenham lost 3-2 to Aston Villa in its last league outing.United won the last league meeting at Old Trafford 2-0.Both teams have several injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s match.ConclusionNeither team has done enough to inspire complete confidence, but United has the stronger case at home.Carrick’s side has shown that it can create and finish chances at Old Trafford. Mbeumo, Cunha and Fernandes, if fit, should give Tottenham several different problems to solve.United’s defensive record remains a concern. Tottenham could take advantage if the hosts leave too much space when attacking.However, four scoreless performances in five league games make it difficult to trust the visitors to capitalize consistently.The recent form and previous meeting support a cautious preference for United. With both teams carrying fitness concerns, the straight home win is the most suitable selection.Manchester United to win is the best bet.Verdict: Manchester United to winBest odds: 19/25Bookmaker: 1xBetThe post Prediction: Manchester United vs Tottenham appeared first on SoccerNews.