Manchester United vs Tottenham Preview – Carrick’s men are marching on!
There are certain February days at Old Trafford that feel heavier than others. The air sits colder, the floodlights sharper, the noise a little more defiant. This one has that energy.
Manchester United come in with momentum and a growing sense that something has clicked under Michael Carrick. The patterns look clearer. The midfield looks braver. The press is coordinated instead of hopeful. And crucially, the results are stacking up.
Across the halfway line will be Tottenham Hotspur, who remain one of the league’s most chaotic fun watches. When they are good, they are irresistible. When they wobble, it happens fast. Trips to Old Trafford tend to expose both versions within 90 minutes.
This one feels less like a chess match and more like a test of nerve. United want to suffocate. Spurs want to sprint. Something has to give.
Can the disconcerted Tottenham trouble an in-form United?
Team news
Manchester United
United’s squad is finally looking less like a medical ward. A few knocks remain in defence, most notably with key man Matthijs de Ligt, but Carrick has had the luxury of continuity in midfield and attack, which has helped the rhythm.
Bruno Fernandes is fit and central to everything. The captain has quietly put together one of the most productive creative seasons in the league. Twelve assists already and counting, with the passing range to unlock both deep blocks and frantic transitions.
There is also renewed confidence around the forward line. The press is sharper, and Carrick has been able to rotate without breaking structure.
Tottenham
Spurs have had serious injuries all season. Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Pedro Porro and Richarlison are all out long term. On top of that, their key centre-back partnership of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are both doubts at this stage, and it will be a race to get them fixed up before kickoff.
Key stats to know
- United have lost just once at Old Trafford in their last eleven in the Premier League.
- Bruno Fernandes has 13 assists this season across competitions.
- Spurs have scored in 18 of their last 20 matches.
- Manchester United have not beaten Tottenham Hotspur in their last six league meetings, drawing three and losing three. It matches their longest ever winless run against Spurs, a stretch that previously occurred over 100 years ago.
- Tottenham claimed a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in this fixture last season. Only once before in the Premier League era have they managed back to back away wins at United, which they achieved in January 2014.
- The last time United won four consecutive league games was in February 2024 under Erik ten Hag, while their most recent longer unbeaten run came in February 2022, when they went eight without defeat under Ralf Rangnick.
- Tottenham head into this match on a six game winless run in the league, recording four draws and two defeats. It is their longest drought since a seven game stretch earlier in the 2024-25 campaign.
💇♂️ The famous Manchester United fan's hair is on the LINE!
— 365Scores (@365Scores) January 25, 2026
The Red Devils have already beaten Manchester City and Arsenal.
Three matches remain – against Fulham, Tottenham, and West Ham. Five consecutive wins saves the locks!
The countdown is ON. 😬✂️ pic.twitter.com/L8MimhJUIl
What the managers have been saying
Carrick has leaned into calm. His messaging all week has been about control, discipline, and not getting dragged into a basketball game. He wants compact distances and quick recoveries.
Spurs’ camp has focused on bravery. Their approach is rarely conservative. The emphasis is on tempo and attacking early, especially away from home where an early goal can quieten a crowd like Old Trafford.
Both know that the first 20 minutes will shape the night.
Key Player – Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes
If United have a pulse, it runs through Bruno.
Twelve Premier League assists this season tells you about the end product, but it is the volume that stands out. He attempts passes others do not see. Switches play instantly. Shoots early. Wins second balls. Carrick has given him freedom to drift, and the rest of the midfield covers the gaps.
Against Spurs specifically, his numbers are decent. Three goals and three assists in the Premier League. One red card as well. He has repeatedly punished their spacing between midfield and defence, arriving late into the box or threading passes through a stretched back line.
This is also a fixture he seems to enjoy emotionally. The tempo suits him. More chaos equals more influence.
Key Player – Tottenham: Xavi Simons
Simons is the kind of player defenders hate tracking.
He starts central, floats left, pops up right. He plays like a street footballer dropped into a tactical system. Tight touches, little feints, then a burst of acceleration.
Last week’s game against Manchester City was a perfect snapshot. He carried the ball through pressure repeatedly and looked like Spurs’ main route out of trouble. Even when they were pinned back, he provided oxygen.
United’s double pivot will have to be disciplined. Dive in and he slips past. Stand off and he turns. Carrick will likely instruct someone to shadow him and cut the supply early.
Our Most Impactful Player of the Week is Xavi Simons who has taken Tottenham's game vs Man City by storm!
— 365Scores (@365Scores) February 4, 2026
Spurs' star was EVERYWHERE on the pitch, being instrumental in his team's 2-2 draw vs the Cityzens pic.twitter.com/Qm72moeOtV
Tactical Battle
United’s shape under Carrick has tightened. Full backs invert at times, creating central overloads and allowing Bruno to operate higher up. It makes counter-pressing easier and keeps Spurs penned in.
Tottenham, on the other hand, will try to stretch everything. Quick diagonals to the wings, early runs behind, and midfielders breaking lines with carries. They want to turn this into a sequence of foot races.
The interesting zone is midfield. If United win second balls, they will dominate territory. If Spurs break that first line of pressure, it becomes wide open fast.
Set pieces could also matter. Both sides have scored from dead balls recently, and tight matches often hinge on those moments.
Anything else that matters
There is also psychology here.
Old Trafford has felt louder lately. Not nostalgic loud. Present tense loud. The crowd has responded to the team’s work rate and structure. When the press works, the stadium rises. That energy has fed late goals and late wins.
Spurs know this ground can snowball quickly. Concede early and the noise doubles. Score first and the tension creeps in.
Little margins. First tackles. First corners. First transitions.
That is where nights like this tilt.
FAQs
When is the match?
Kick off is scheduled for Saturday midday (12.30 GMT).
Where is it being played?
Old Trafford, Manchester.
Who are the key players?
Bruno Fernandes for United and Xavi Simons for Tottenham.
How many assists does Bruno have this season?
Twelve in the Premier League, thirteen across all competitions.
What style will the teams play?
United will look controlled and compact. Spurs will push the tempo and attack quickly.
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
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