ShareWith pressure growing for the managers of both clubs, neither Manchester United nor Tottenham Hotspur can afford another defeat.By Filip MishovThe loser is destined to take on the club in crisis batonManchester United have endured an underwhelming start to the season, to say the least, as Michael Carrick‘s squad celebrated just a couple of wins (2W, 2D, 3L) across all competitions and faced an early exit from the EFL Cup ahead of the international break. Subsequently, the Red Devils equalled the club’s joint-worst start in the Premier League from 2014/15 by collecting five points in the opening five matches. They sit 12th, closer to the relegation zone than the top four.The grass is no greener at Tottenham Hotspur, quite the contrary, as Roberto De Zerbi‘s underperforming squad is stuck at the bottom of the standings after replicating the worst-ever start (2D, 3L) in their Premier League history from 2008/09. Spurs took 446 minutes to even find the back of the net and are one of only three sides still without a win alongside Fulham and Bournemouth. Even though the Italian coach’s job is safe, for now, that might not be the case for much longer if the Lilywhites do not turn the form around quickly.Key playersCarlos Baleba is yet to kick a ball in United’s shirt, but the Cameroon international is set to be tasked with firming up the midfield upon his long-awaited debut, given the desperate need for an energetic and mobile midfielder next to the excellent Kobbie Mainoo, who’s average FotMob rating this season (7.66) is only bettered by captain Bruno Fernandes (7.78). The pressure will be on Baleba to deliver immediately.Mateus Fernandes could have easily ended up playing alongside his compatriot and idol, Fernandes at Old Trafford, but the Portugal international opted to join Spurs instead, and although the 22-year-old is still settling in North London, his undisputed qualities are beginning to come out. No player in the squad has covered more distance per 90 (11.6 km) or won possession more in the final 3rd per 90 (1.1), while only Andrew Robertson has created more big chances for his teammates.Team newsPatrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui both suffered injuries on international duty and are expected to be out for a few weeks, joining Manuel Ugarte and Benjamin Šeško on the sidelines. In better news, Matthijs de Ligt, Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford are ready to return to the matchday squad.The Saturday’s match at Old Trafford comes too soon for Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski, while Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Mykhaylo Mudryk are longer-term absentees for Spurs.PredictionAs poor as Manchester United looked before the international break, Tottenham Hotspur looked worse, and I expect the Red Devils to come off victorious from what could be a close and fierce encounter at the Theatre of Dreams.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.With pressure growing for the managers of both clubs, neither Manchester United nor Tottenham Hotspur can afford another defeat.By Filip MishovThe loser is destined to take on the club in crisis batonManchester United have endured an underwhelming start to the season, to say the least, as Michael Carrick‘s squad celebrated just a couple of wins (2W, 2D, 3L) across all competitions and faced an early exit from the EFL Cup ahead of the international break. Subsequently, the Red Devils equalled the club’s joint-worst start in the Premier League from 2014/15 by collecting five points in the opening five matches. They sit 12th, closer to the relegation zone than the top four.The grass is no greener at Tottenham Hotspur, quite the contrary, as Roberto De Zerbi‘s underperforming squad is stuck at the bottom of the standings after replicating the worst-ever start (2D, 3L) in their Premier League history from 2008/09. Spurs took 446 minutes to even find the back of the net and are one of only three sides still without a win alongside Fulham and Bournemouth. Even though the Italian coach’s job is safe, for now, that might not be the case for much longer if the Lilywhites do not turn the form around quickly.Key playersCarlos Baleba is yet to kick a ball in United’s shirt, but the Cameroon international is set to be tasked with firming up the midfield upon his long-awaited debut, given the desperate need for an energetic and mobile midfielder next to the excellent Kobbie Mainoo, who’s average FotMob rating this season (7.66) is only bettered by captain Bruno Fernandes (7.78). The pressure will be on Baleba to deliver immediately.Mateus Fernandes could have easily ended up playing alongside his compatriot and idol, Fernandes at Old Trafford, but the Portugal international opted to join Spurs instead, and although the 22-year-old is still settling in North London, his undisputed qualities are beginning to come out. No player in the squad has covered more distance per 90 (11.6 km) or won possession more in the final 3rd per 90 (1.1), while only Andrew Robertson has created more big chances for his teammates.Team newsPatrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui both suffered injuries on international duty and are expected to be out for a few weeks, joining Manuel Ugarte and Benjamin Šeško on the sidelines. In better news, Matthijs de Ligt, Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford are ready to return to the matchday squad.The Saturday’s match at Old Trafford comes too soon for Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski, while Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Mykhaylo Mudryk are longer-term absentees for Spurs.PredictionAs poor as Manchester United looked before the international break, Tottenham Hotspur looked worse, and I expect the Red Devils to come off victorious from what could be a close and fierce encounter at the Theatre of Dreams.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.