Man Utd v Spurs LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

Udogie and Maddison both break behind United’s back line in quick succession and work chances on goal – the left-back’s effort goes flying over the bar from a narrow angle, but Maddison’s needs a decent block from Onana to prevent a second goal. Lovely exchange between the English midfielder and Kulusevski on the edge of the box to evade Ugarte and the centre-backs.

Onana batters the ball forward and Rashford is streaking away behind the defence after bending his run – the flag does go up but he beats Van de Ven and Romero to the ball and shoots low, only for Vicario to save at the near post.

Wouldn’t have counted, but does show United how they might get themselves chances and a foothold in this game. Spurs’ defence is of course very high upfield.

United needing to settle, but Spurs are just staying on the front foot as you’d expect – looking to win the second ball at every opportunity and flood players forward. Kulusevki is nominally a third midfielder for the visitors but he’s so high upfield challenging, putting the centre-backs under pressure when he can and forcing the hosts back. Zirkzee has barely had a touch so far.

Richard Jolly after that opening goal at Old Trafford:

“Four goals in four games since deleting his Instagram account for Brennan Johnson, proving we are all better off without social media. But what a sensational solo run from Micky van de Ven, covering 70 yards at startling speed, to set him up. What a start for Spurs.”

Sensational start!! Van de Ven wins the ball halfway inside his own half and absolutely blazes his way through the entire United team, squaring brilliantly across the six-yard box and Brennan Johnson is totally unmarked to tap in his fourth in four games!

Never mind that clean sheet, it’s gone after 200 seconds!

Here we go – kick-off! Three clean sheets in five in the league for United, if they manage a fourth then that will be a big positive for Ten Hag to point to – but it’s wins United really need.

Spurs could say the same, of course.

Richard Jolly is at Old Trafford for us today – we’ll bring you his insight through the match. Ahead of the game he points out a habit Erik ten Hag is developing with his team sheets…

“Last week, Erik ten Hag benched Marcus Rashford after he had started scoring goals. Now Christian Eriksen has chipped in with three in three games and is only a substitute. No Son Heung-min for Tottenham, which means a first league start of the season for Timo Werner.”

Ange Postecoglou ahead of kick-off now:

“Short turnaround from Thursday and Son just wasn’t right for today so we go without him.

“We’ve had to suffer those things a fair bit, key players missing out – you just have to learn to cope without him.

“Timo Werner is most comfortable there, that’s why we brought him to the club so he gets his opportunity today.

“You’re facing a big club here, an iconic stadium, lots of attention – they are the kind of games you want to be involved in.

“We’ve won the last three so we’re going ok. League form is mixed but performances aren’t bad – it’s a challenging start in terms of results but I’m pretty happy with how we play our football.”

Ten Hag adds that Fernandes always ends up as creating the most chances for the team – he’s not worried about a lack of end product from him right now.

“Bruno will work on his form, he’s always working hard, taking responsibility and being captain. The goals and assists will come.”

He’s 11/10 to score or assist today against Spurs, or 8/1 to score the first goal.

Erik ten Hag ahead of kick-off:

“We have to kill in front of the goal. We are creating loads of chances but we don’t finish enough.

“I’ll be worried when we don’t create chances. I know we have players who can finish: Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho, Hojlund. Plenty are good finishers.

“Rashford scored there last week so he’s in the right direction and now has to make the last step.”