Manchester United vs Tottenham preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

• Manchester United to win

• Both teams to score

Things could not be going much better for Carrick, as he has won all three matches since taking the reins, including a derby victory over Manchester City and late 3-2 triumphs over Arsenal and over Fulham.

The Red Devils are now on a seven-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League (W4, D3), a run of form they seen them climb into the top four. 

Now, they will be looking to extend their solid six-game unbeaten run on home soil, in a game they are expected to win.

In contrast, the mood at Tottenham is far from celebratory. While they showed heart to claw back a 2-2 draw against Manchester City last time out, a poor first half only added fuel to the fire regarding Thomas Frank’s future. 

Spurs are currently languishing in the bottom half of the table and have not won a league game in six attempts (D4, L2).

Curiously, Spurs have been much better on their travels this term, picking up five of their seven wins away from North London. 

Spurs might be struggling now, but they have been United’s "kryptonite" lately. 

They are currently on their longest-ever unbeaten run against the Red Devils (W5, D3), and that run includes a famous 3-0 win at Old Trafford and, most notably, a victory over United in last season’s Europa League final.

United are not quite at full strength with Patrick Dorgu (thigh) and Matthijs de Ligt (back) definitely out. There is also a question mark over Mason Mount, who is being monitored after a training ground knock.

The Tottenham medical room, however, is packed, with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Pedro Porro, Richarlison, and Rodrigo Bentancur are all sidelined. 

To make matters worse, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence, Dominic Solanke, and Cristian Romero are all carrying various knocks and face late fitness tests.

Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo

Tottenham: Vicario; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Gallagher; Odobert, Simons, Kolo Muani; Solanke

While Tottenham have a great recent record in this fixture, their current injury crisis is impossible to ignore. Carrick has United playing with a belief and tempo that a depleted Spurs defense might find impossible to contain. 

Correct score prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham