Tottenham travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Paul Merson believes Tottenham Hotspur will avoid losing to Manchester United on Saturday if Harry Kane can overcome a slight hamstring concern to feature from the off.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side travel north to Manchester to face United at Old Trafford in Saturday’s early kick-off, and Merson believes Kane must start if Spurs are to avoid defeat.
Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup loss to London rivals West Ham proved just how much Spurs need Kane, according to Merson, and the former England international claims that will be no different against United.
Pundit Merson has predicted the two sides to draw 1-1 on Sky Sports’ website, even though he is unimpressed with United’s recent form which has seen them lose to Huddersfield and draw against Liverpool.
“It’s no surprise but the West Ham defeat proved it, Tottenham are a different team without Harry Kane. They really need his hamstring to be OK this weekend,” Merson said.
“I watched Manchester United at Huddersfield and they were poor. That was after they went to Liverpool and just shut up shop – those results have left them behind the eight ball.
“If Mauricio Pochettino’s team really have aspirations of winning the title themselves, this is a fixture they need to win.”
Pochettino failed to confirm if 24-year-old Kane will start against United, simply responding by saying “we’ll see” in his press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Spurs have the chance to leapfrog United into second place with both sides currently sitting on 20 points in second and third, while Man City sit five points clear in first.
The north Londoners will be looking to take inspiration from the last time the two sides met, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Pochettino’s side thanks to goals from Victor Wanyama and Kane back in May.
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