Tottenham - Manchester Preview

Ronaldo Continues To Amaze

United arrive at White Hart Lane in buoyant mood, sitting at the top of the Premier League after another double from Ronaldo gave the Red Devils another three points against Portsmouth in midweek.

Alex Ferguson described Ronaldo’s second goal on Wednesday night as the best free-kick he has seen in the Premier League.

Ronaldo is certainly the best player in England this season, and he will be confident of again scoring against Spurs, a team that he scored twice against last Sunday to knock Tottenham out of the FA Cup. That game finished 3-1 to United, although Spurs matched their illustrious opponents for large parts of the game.

Juande Ramos has improved Tottenham since he arrived, and has had a busy January in the transfer market, clinching deals for Brazilian left footer Gilberto, Rangers full-back Alan Hutton and England central defender Jonathan Woodgate to further improve his already strong squad.

Spurs Hoping For Improvement

Tottenham are in good form at home, and will offer a serious test to United, who have lost just once in their last 14 games in all competitions.

That defeat came in London at West Ham, and United have struggled for victories when they have travelled South of Birmingham so far this term, with only a win at Reading to show from four trips to the South.

United will be confident of improving that record at the Lane, having won on each of their last 6 visits here, including a memorable comeback in 2001, when United trailed their hosts 3-0 at half-time before smashing five second half goals without reply to complete a magnificent comeback.

There is unlikely to be eight goals this time, as Juande Ramos has worked hard to improve how Spurs defend. Woodgate made an impressive debut at Goodison Park in midweek, helping Spurs to a goalless draw at Everton, and the introduction of Radek Cerny in place of the error-prone Paul Robinson has steadied the nerves of Spurs fans everywhere.

Alex Ferguson was able to relax during January, knowing that his squad is brimming with ability, experience and desire. The club are still in three competitions and Ferguson himself has made tentative noises about the possibility of the club doing the second treble of his reign.

For now, however, United will just hope to stay ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea in the title race, and they know that they need to keep winning as neither of those clubs are showing any signs of fading away.

FORM GUIDE

Tottenham

30 Jan v Everton (A) DREW 0-0 (Prem)

27 Jan v Manchester United (A) LOST 1-3 (FA Cup)

22 Jan v Arsenal (H) WON 5-1 (League Cup)

19 Jan v Sunderland (H) WON 2-0 (Prem)

15 Jan v Reading (A) WON 1-0 (Prem)

12 Jan v Chelsea (A) LOST 0-2 (Prem)

Manchester United

30 Jan v Portsmouth (H) WON 2-0 (Prem)

27 Jan v Tottenham (H) WON 3-1 (FA Cup)

19 Jan v Reading (A) WON 2-0 (Prem)

12 Jan v Newcastle (H) WON 6-0 (Prem)

05 Jan v Aston Villa (A) WON 2-0 (FA Cup)

01 Jan v Birmingham (H) WON 1-0 (Prem)

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham

Captain Ledley King has missed the two previous games as he slowly returns from injury, and he may be able to partner new signing Jonathan Woodgate here. Fellow new boy Alan Hutton may debut after joining from Rangers. Reserve striker Darren Bent (knee), and defenders Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee), Gareth Bale (foot) and Young Pyo Lee (leg) are all definitely sidelined.

Last Starting XI (v Everton): Cerny; Chimbonda, Huddlestone, Woodgate, Gunter (Boateng 62); Lennon, Jenas, O’Hara, Malbranque; Berbatov, Keane.

Manchester United

United are almost at full strength with only Gary Neville (foot), Louis Saha (knee), Mikael Silvestre (knee) and Ben Foster (knee operation) missing from their star studded squad. Tevez, Giggs, Anderson and Hargreaves could return after sitting out the Portsmouth win in midweek.

Last Starting XI (v Portsmouth): Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Scholes (Anderson 62), Carrick, Park; Rooney (Tevez 73), Ronaldo (Hargreaves 73).

Tottenham - Dimitar Berbatov

He has been persistently linked with a move to Old Trafford and it is not difficult to see why. Berbatov has the ability to open up the tightest of defences with his subtle touch and ability to do the unexpected. Ferdinand and Vidic will have their hands full with the Bulgarian and his skillful strike partner Robbie Keane.

Manchester United - Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese winger has everything - pace, power, work rate and outstanding technical ability. Two more sumptuous strikes against Portsmouth during the week took his outrageous goal scoring return to a phenomenal 30 for club and country already this season, including 19 league goals. Spurs will have their work cut out to deal with him here as on present form Ronaldo appears unplayable.

PREDICTION

Spurs are unbeaten in six home games and they have improved immeasurably since the arrival of Ramos. This is a tricky fixture for the Champions, who may have to settle for a point after the highs of the midweek master-class against Pompey.

Tottenham 1-1 Manchester United