As usual, United's possible starting XI is the subject of much conjecture, with Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane missing last weekend's Manchester derby due to Covid, and Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo negotiating injury problems.

 

The highly anticipated team line-up will be released at exactly 16:30 GMT – one hour ahead of kick-off at Old Trafford – and you can get it hot off the press via the United App, ManUtd.com, MUTV and our social channels. Don't forget to make your United Predictions, either, for the chance to win a signed shirt.

Bear in mind that we'll get a further indication on who might be available (or not available) in Friday's traditional pre-match conference. You'll get the latest news on the App and this website from 13:45 GMT.

 

So, who's going to play?

Perhaps the most intriguing discussions around United's possible team this weekend will focus on the centre-forward position.

 

Ralf Rangnick experimented with playing two false no.9s, in Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba, against Manchester City. And, despite the heavy scoreline come full-time, that approach showed some promise, particularly in the first half.

 

Will the German persist with something similar this weekend? We played five at the back when we beat Spurs 3-0 away from home earlier in the season, and a similar system at Old Trafford could provide the platform to try something different once again.

 

That said, if Cavani and Ronaldo are available once more, can we afford to leave them out – even if they are not 100 per cent fit?

 

Let us know what you'd do by voting in the poll above. But before you do that, check out these hot takes from two of our United-supporting staffers...

 

“Assuming neither Edinson Cavani or Cristiano Ronaldo are available to start, looking back at last week’s first half can provide a bit of inspiration for how United could set up against Tottenham. The result on Sunday was a painful one, but there were glimpses in the first half that a system without a recognised centre-forward could work well.

“Fernandes assumed that deep no.9 role, often joined high up by Paul Pogba. The benefit of having them so advanced is that United can counter-attack quickly. Both players have a great first touch, and so are the perfect option for an out-ball from defence, and both have good vision and the quality to execute that vision. With the quality of players like Sancho and Rashford running off them, you can cause problems.

“The other benefit is the flexibility it allows. In a presumably tight game like this, both teams could dominate at different points. No striker means United could go into that traditional 4-4-2 when defending, and a much more fluid 4-3-3 when in possession. Hopefully one of Ronaldo and Cavani will be fit enough to make the bench for the game, and can then offer their quality as a substitute later on in the game.”

 

 

“This is simply a must-win game for Ralf Rangnick and the lads, and it's imperative chances are taken. We've created plenty since the German arrived, but our problem has been converting them. Time is now running out, and this game could swing the top-four race back in our favour. Or, if it goes the way of Antonio Conte and Spurs, we could be left flagging behind Spurs and their north London rivals Arsenal. 

 

“Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani are fitness worries, but I'd bet that Ralf will give his veteran strikers as much time as possible to make it onto the field. The pair proved the difference when we beat Tottenham 3-0 in October – their dead-eyed finishing allowed United to absorb pressure and back ourselves to win the game via a few well-executed counterattacks. We know that Harry Kane and Heung-min Son are quite capable of doing exactly the same for the opposition – no duo have directly combined for more goals in the Premier League's post-1992 history. 

 

“While Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba threatened in those unusual roles during the first half at the Etihad Stadium, there's simply no substitute for gnarled, seen-it-all-before centre-forward nous when it comes to the crunch. Just look at Karim Benzema's work at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. The season is approaching the business end, and few players in world football have a better record in that regard than Cavani and Ronaldo. If there's any chance either or both could play, I think it's a gamble Ralf Rangnick will feel he has to take this weekend.”

 

 

Don't forget to pick your starting XI, formation, first scorer, result and Man of the Match via the United App. The fan who scores the most points wins a signed shirt, wherever you are in the world.

 

Here's what fans are backing at the time of writing...

 

31% = Cristiano Ronaldo

30% = Jadon Sancho

14% = Bruno Fernandes

33% = United 2 Spurs 1

15% = United 3 Spurs 1

14% = United 2 Spurs 0

 

Man of the Match 

27% = David De Gea

22% = Jadon Sancho
17% = Cristiano Ronaldo