Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho returns to Old Trafford on Wednesday and will face Manchester United as an opponent for the first time since the Red Devils sacked him almost one year ago. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be eager to show his side has grown since Mourinho’s dismissal, with a chance to possibly jump up in the standings.
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Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- When: Wednesday, December 4
- Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- TV: NBCSN
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
Tottenham boasts a perfect record in three matches under Mourinho so far, having most recently defeated Bournemouth 3-2 at home on Saturday. However, that was also the third time the team has conceded two goals in as many matches under the new coach. The Red Devils extended their winless run to three matches after drawing 2-2 at home to Villa on Sunday, the seventh time in their last eight games that they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet.
Lucas Moura scored twice when Tottenham thrashed United 3-0 in its last trip to Old Trafford in August 2018, when Mourinho was still employed by the latter. The North Londoners failed to score in four visits to the grounds prior to that, ending their drought in sensational style.
The Special One finds himself back in the away dugout, seeking what would be his 10th career victory against United in his 21st meeting. He’s only lost three times in those previous 20 clashes, twice while he was Chelsea manager and once at Inter Milan. Mourinho has traveled to Old Trafford on nine occasions and won in three of those—twice with the Blues in 2005 and once in March 2013 with Real Madrid.
United has lost once at home this season (three wins, three draws), while the Spurs clinched their first away league victory this term when Mourinho’s squad won 3-2 at West Ham in his debut.
Solskjaer is under some pressure to produce a win against his club’s former coach nearly one year after he took over at United, initially in a caretaker role. The Norwegian isn’t expected to have midfield star Paul Pogba back from an ankle injury until mid-December, while defenders Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are chasing fitness.
Mourinho appears to have had a rejuvenating effect on Dele Alli, who has scored or assisted in each of the three games and netted twice in the win over Bournemouth.
Reputations are on the line at Old Trafford when United seeks to fend off Mourinho’s soaring Spurs in what looks to be a vital fixture in the race for European qualification.
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