MU visit Tottenham: Amorim faces speed threat
Manchester United opens round 11 of the Premier League at Tottenham at 7:30 p.m. on November 8; the left wing is not stable, need to enter the game aggressively and lock down Micky van de Ven.
At 7:30 p.m. on November 8, Manchester United kicked off the 11th round of the Premier League with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in a match that was likened to a “replay of the Europa League final” last season. For Ruben Amorim, this was both a chance for revenge and a test of his mettle and speed – from how to cover the left wing to the ability to deal with accelerations, especially from Micky van de Ven.
Speed hotspots and test of mettle
United need a sharp start to destroy Tottenham’s home advantage – a scenario they did at Anfield earlier this month. The focus is on tempo: high pressing, quick transitions and concentration in the speed battles. Amorim must turn the early energy into a real advantage on the scoreboard.
Manchester United's left flank: space and structure
The main problem remains the left flank. In Ruben Amorim’s system, Matheus Cunha often cuts inside to coordinate through the middle. This model increases the connection in the midfield, but leaves space behind – which opponents can exploit when United push forward.
Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu alternated the wing-back role but did not make a big enough difference in the final third. When this was repeated, opponents tended to lock down United’s more dangerous right flank, leading to an unbalanced attack, predictable play and a decline in pressing quality.
The challenge for Amorim is to restore structure: either give an attacking wing-back a chance to maintain width, or adjust Cunha's position to maintain the balance between controlling the middle and covering the left flank. How he solves this will determine United's ability to change the tempo under pressure from the home team.
Need a strong start at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham have started the season well but their performances have been unconvincing, especially at home. This is an opportunity for United to strike first, find an early goal and calm the atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The intensity of the first 15 minutes, with intense pressing and neat transitions, could be the key to opening the game.
In addition, Tottenham seem to have signs of tension between coach Thomas Frank and some key players. It is not a crisis yet, but the lack of mental stability makes them vulnerable if they are behind. MU needs to take advantage of the opening stage to create a psychological advantage.
Micky van de Ven: a silent threat to MU's defense
If we had to pick one link that could break the rhythm of MU's pressing, the name would be Micky van de Ven. The Dutch centre-back is not only solid in defense but also dangerous in unexpected moves. His speed and strength make him the direct attacking route that Tottenham often use to break through the opponent's first pressing layer.
MU has had trouble against centre-backs who can escape pressure and advance like Van de Ven. Therefore, controlling the space between the middle and left is key. This requires the back line to cover right behind the wing-back position, while the midfield must block vertical passes to avoid being stretched by Van de Ven's run.
Meaning greater than three points
More than just a fateful reunion, this match showed how close Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United had come to the “complete version”. The left wing needed to be locked down, the approach had to be bold, and the defense needed to be alert enough to deal with Van de Ven’s unpredictable attacks.
If they beat Tottenham in London, it will be three points that will confirm: MU not only avenge last season, but also prove that the rebuilding process under Amorim is on the right track.
