Nemanja Matic has told Manchester United’s official website that Tottenham will pose a new challenge with Antonio Conte in the dugout. Matic played under Conte at Chelsea, before the Italian sold him to United.
Matic, 33, could feature against Tottenham having remained on the bench against Manchester City last time out. He was part of the starting line-up that failed to beat Watford in the game prior to Sunday’s 4-1 defeat.
The Serbian veteran played a substitute role against Spurs in the reverse fixture, a 3-0 win under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer which saw the end of Nuno Espirito Santo. Conte replaced the Portuguese gaffer in the Spurs dugout.
Conte has since revitalised Tottenham’s pursuit of the top four and Spurs come into the game with their tails up – winning 4-0 and 5-0 over Leeds and Everton. Matic gave his verdict on Spurs, and in-form striker Harry Kane.
“We have to be focused now more because, since then, they change the manager, we also changed the manager, so we have to take this game as a new challenge,” £40m (BBC) signing Matic said. “It’s going to be very hard.
“Especially because the last match they played some good football, they won 5-0 against Everton. It’s going to be very interesting. I watched the last game and Harry Kane is in a good moment. I’m sure we’ll have a response.”
Matic verdict: Can Tottenham make it 3 from 3 at Manchester United?
It will be a tricky test for Tottenham. At the moment, they are incredibly inconsistent – with wins over Manchester City, Leeds and Everton interspersed by defeats to Burnley and Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.
If they are to pose any challenge to the top four, they really need to become more consistent – and a win over one of their top-four rivals in Arsenal would be a very welcome start. United are hardly in the best of form.
Indeed, United have struggled against sides that allow them to dictate the ball – being hit on the counter regularly. Tottenham used that tactic to full effect against Manchester City and pose a real threat to United on Saturday.
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