Manchester United head to Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off with a clean bill of health, and a selection debate that could shape the result. Ruben Amorim has near-total availability, yet one high-profile decision sits at the heart of his plan.
Lisandro Martinez is the only confirmed absentee for the Spurs clash. The Argentine has just returned from a long knee lay-off and is expected to be given more time on the training ground, with a comeback pencilled in after the international break. That opens space for continuity — and for one calculated tweak.
Man United’s recent momentum cooled with a draw at Nottingham Forest, but the broader form line remains promising. Tottenham, however, have dominated the head-to-head of late, collecting five wins and two draws across the last seven meetings, including victory in the 2025 Europa League final. Amorim’s choices must meet that standard.
Manchester United team news vs Tottenham Hotspur
Amorim can select from an injury-free group aside from Martinez. The expectation is for fresh legs to enter the starting lineup. Mason Mount is in line to return to the starting side, while Patrick Dorgu is also pushing to come in. The anticipated casualties are Benjamin Sesko and Diogo Dalot, with balance and control driving the changes for an away-day test.
Beyond personnel, the tactical shape remains stable. Amorim’s recent use of a back three has improved build-up angles and ball progression. The question is who anchors that line at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Harry Maguire to start vs Tottenham
Harry Maguire rejoined the matchday squad last weekend after missing the Brighton & Hove Albion game through injury. He did not feature at the City Ground, but he has trained this week at Carrington and is under strong consideration to start. Ruben Amorim values aerial control and set-piece security, and Maguire’s profile fits both needs.
Maguire’s aerial success rate sits at an impressive 70 percent this season. Against Spurs, that matters. Centre-back Micky van de Ven is a major goalscoring outlet with six goals already, three from headers. Maguire’s presence not only helps defend the box—it also gives United a scoring outlet of their own, as seen at Anfield against Liverpool.
Why aerial control is Man United’s swing factor
Tottenham’s restarts are a rhythm weapon, and second balls around the area often decide their home games. With Matthijs de Ligt already winning his duels, partnering Maguire’s dominance with Luke Shaw’s athletic coverage can shut down the near-post runs and delay back-post overloads. If United control the first contact and the drop zone, Spurs’ set-piece threat is reduced and transitions open up.
That aerial edge also supports Amorim’s midfield. With cleaner first contacts, Bruno Fernandes can receive higher and earlier in the pivot, allowing United to play forward with purpose rather than retreating into their own third.
How Man United could lineup at Spurs
The call here is a measured reset rather than a rebuild. We anticipate Maguire to start in the middle of the back three, flanked by de Ligt on the right and Shaw on the left, with Leny Yoro the likely defender to make way. Mount’s return adds ball security between the lines, while Dorgu’s inclusion improves the outside running needed to escape Tottenham’s pressure.
Editorially, the logic is clear: reward cohesion, add set-piece insurance, and pick a XI that can survive Tottenham’s surges. With Spurs’ recent record and Van de Ven’s form, Amorim’s selection around Maguire feels less like a gamble and more like calculated risk management. If United win the air war and tidy the restarts, they tilt the odds back in their favour.
