Peter Crouch makes score prediction for PL fixture between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has made his prediction for Manchester United's Premier League home game with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (January 14).

The Red Devils are coming off a 2-0 win at Championship side Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup opener on Monday. However, Erik ten Hag's side lost their last league outing, losing 2-1 at Nottingham Forest on December 30 to slump to eighth in the standings, 14 points off leaders Liverpool (45) after 20 games.

Meanwhile, Spurs are also coming off a win in their previous outing, beating fellow Premier League side Burnley 1-0 at home in their FA Cup opener last weekend. Ange Postecoglou's side are fifth in the Premier League with 39 points, having beaten Bournemouth 3-1 at home on December 31.

With Spurs captain Son Heung-Min out on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup, Crouch reckons a draw could ensue, saying on his podcast (via TBR):

“Son is away, but I still don’t think United will get the job done, personally no, so I’ve gone for a draw, 1-1,” Crouch said.

Tottenham won the reverse fixture 2-0 at home over United in August to remain top of the standings.

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Manchester United boss provides team news ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has provided his team news ahead of the league clash with Spurs at the weekend.

Hinting at a potential return to action for the injured trio of Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Luke Shaw, the Dutchman said in a pre-game press conference (as per the Red Devils' website):

“This week in training, in the last couple of days, Licha Martinez (is) training. Casemiro (is) training. Luke Shaw (is) training. So, there are players returning, they are coming in for selection for Sunday.”

The boss updated about another trio who missed the Wigan game earlier this week:

“Antony, yeah. Eriksen was ill in the week, he will return. Antony will return. I thought you mentioned longer-terms and unexpected. ... but they will return as well,” added Erik.

“So, Amad will return. We have more choices in this moment in the squad to put out a starting XI and create a bench (that is) stronger.”

Having endured a whopping 14 losses across competitions this season, including nine in the league, United will hope to continue their unbeaten start to 2024 against Tottenham.