RedsUnite: a man utd blog

Even fielding a side that wasn’t exactly full strength and suffering from some questionable officiating, Manchester United’s midweek exhibition loss to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal was hardly comforting. Our surprising failures in Riyadh coupled with an equally surprising 5-1 trouncing of Arsenal at the hands of this weekend’s opponents, Tottenham Hotspur, make United’s forthcoming FA Cup tie all the more interesting.

Sunday’s fourth round FA Cup match pits two of the five hottest teams in England against each other. Winners of seven of their last eight and almost untouchable at home, Manchester United come into this weekend in top form. Buoyed by the imminent return of Paul Scholes, who is said to be available as a substitute on Sunday, and a healthy Owen Hargreaves, United are reaping the benefits of the depth last summers transfer acquisitions have provided. Boss Alex Ferguson comes into Sunday’s match only lacking the services of Gary Neville and Louis Saha, both of whom are said to be nearing fitness as well.

The United defense has been impregnable at Old Trafford, allowing a miserly .25 goals against at home. Without allowing a goal in the last 270-plus minutes, United hope to continue their recent form as they face one of England’s strongest strike pairs in Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane. The Spurs duo will have to be in top form to penetrate a United back four that has conceded only two goals in the past two months at Old Trafford.

Barring the exemplary form of Cristiano Ronaldo, United’s offensive form has been more difficult to forecast. While not always running on all cylinders, their form has improved recently, scoring multiple times in their last three games. Rooney’s form upon return from injury was of some speculation, but last weekends 77th minute match winner hopefully indicates a return to form for the frustrated striker. With United nearing full fitness, this supporter eagerly anticipates the attacking prowess of a side featuring Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo, Giggs, Scholes and Anderson. While United’s attack has proven strong enough of late, the addition of the midfield wizardry of Paul Scholes should give the Reds the extra cylinder they have lacked at times.

Tottenham Hotspur enter the match riding a wave of euphoria. After beating London rivals Arsenal for the first time in 23 matches to reach their first major final since 1999, the Spurs have every reason to believe that things are improving at White Hart Lane. Following the arrival of new boss Juande Ramos, the Spurs form has been much improved of late. In the replacement of goalkeeper Paul Robinson with Radek Cerney, coupled with the return of defender Ledley King, Spurs have exhibited a sturdier defense recently.

The Spurs road performance, however, has been a cause for concern for Ramos. Losers of 3 of their last 5 road matches, Tottenham have struggled when away. Their offense has been quiet on the road, averaging 2.5 fewer goals away than at home in their recent form. Spurs supporters hope that their recent successes will carry over into Sunday’s match, as they will need to be in top form to overcome their historical difficulties against United.

Undefeated in their last 13 meetings, United have had their way with the Spurs in recent years. In fact, Tottenham has not won at Old Trafford since 1989, almost 20 years now. For all their recent improvements, Tottenham simply are not on the level of Manchester United, especially when they are forced to leave White Hart Lane. With that said, a team in good form is always dangerous, and Ferguson may be forced to start some marginal players if United’s FA Cup matches truly are of third-tier importance to Fergie. But to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford has been nearly impossible this season and I can’t foresee Spurs being the club to change that. A confident Tottenham side should give the Reds a challenge, but I look for the Reds to advance 2-1.