MANCHESTER UNITED welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford for a crunch clash in the race for a top four spot – even if it may be out of reach for both clubs.
The Red Devils have been clinging on to fourth-place over recent weeks but they have now been overtaken by Arsenal.
Ralf Rangnick’s Man Utd face Tottenham in a crunch clash in the race for Europe Credit: Getty The Gunners, who also have three games in hand, are a point ahead of them and have three more than their North London rivals, having played one match less.
With Wolves breathing down the Spurs’ necks in eighth, the chase for European qualification looks set to go to the wire this term.
And Ralf Rangnick has warned his players to shut Spurs down to stop them from taking United apart on the break in the crunch showdown.
The boss is concerned at how Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane could pick them off when they lose possession.
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All the latest news and updates for crunch fixture plus how to watch The pair have been in top form of late.
Kane got a pair in the 3-2 defeat of Champions Manchester City at The Etihad, another in the 4-0 trouncing of Leeds and a pair in the 5-0 win over Everton.
Son also notched one up in each of those last two league games.
Rangnick said: “They are probably one of the best teams in transitional moments with Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane.
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“This is what we have to be aware of that and prepare for in this game – don’t give them those transitional moments.”
While Spurs were particularly impressive in those victories over Leeds and Everton, Rangnick was quick to point out their failings too.
Before the shock win at The Etihad they had lost to both Southampton and Wolves in consecutive games and away to Burnley after it.
They have also been knocked out the FA Cup by Middlesbrough.
Rangnick added: “They also lost against teams like Middlesbrough, Burnley and Wolves so if we play at our best possible level it’s not impossible to beat them.
“In all respect, if Middlesbrough, Burnley and Wolverhampton can beat them we can also beat them. And this is what we have to do, this is our job.”
⚽ Man Utd vs Tottenham: Team news, live blog and TV details
While Tottenham go into the game with confidence high after that win over Everton it is a different matter for United.
They were hammered by their own fans and ex-players turned pundits following their 4-1 defeat in the Manchester derby at The Etihad last Sunday.
Rangnick believes it was not as bad as all that claiming that they had actually played well in a first half that finished with City 2-1 ahead.
He said: “As I said after the game, we didn’t play that badly in the first half.
“We gave away two easy goals, having seen them again after the game quite a few times. They were easily given away by us.
“They didn’t have to do that much in order to score in the end.
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We’ve been fined £25,000 after neighbours whinged about our luxury B&B “But against one of the best teams in the world in possession of the ball, all of a sudden you are 3-1 down, it’s difficult.
“In the end we had to admit yes, they were better in the second half, the far better team than us on that day but that’s the past now.
“We have to look ahead and look forward. We are fully aware that on a good day we are able to beat Tottenham and this is what we have to do.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
