Friday 9 December 2016 16:05, UK
Manchester United take on Tottenham at Old Trafford live on Sky Sports on Sunday - but which team will come out on top?
Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham has analysed the tactical battle and says unsung heroes Michael Carrick and Victor Wanyama will be key.
Here's why…
Carrick security frees-up United's forwards
"I don't think there's been any surprise that, with Michael Carrick coming into the team, Manchester United's results have been better and they've looked a lot better. That's because Zlatan Ibrahimovic has got more support.
"When you see Manchester United in a 4-2-3-1, for me I think it's more of a 4-1-4-1 and that's because Carrick has come into the team.
"At times, because Carrick wasn't in the team, the attacking three behind Ibrahimovic would be playing a lot deeper than what they are now. That meant Ibrahimovic was getting isolated, it was difficult for Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba and whoever else was there to support him.
"Now, Ibrahimovic - one of if not the best centre forward with his back to goal - is getting support quickly. Martial, Ander Herrera, Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are able to get in advance of him.
"Of the front five, Ibrahimovic is often finding himself the furthest back, the deepest of them. The two centre backs then have a real problem, do they go in there with him - and leave a huge space behind - or do they hold their positon and allow Ibrahimovic to get the ball and turn and put the passes through for the players who are getting beyond him?
"That's the real difference for United right now. Don't get me wrong, they're still not scoring enough goals but they are creating chances. Carrick has been key in this, enabling the midfield to get up and not just support Ibrahimovic but get beyond him."
Wanyama's cover key for Spurs full-backs
"If we look at Tottenham and how they're lining up, the full-backs are key for them. The three that play behind Harry Kane - Christian Eriksen, Heung-Min Son and Dele Alli - more often than not play narrow, which means the full-backs are the ones who have to give you the width. And they do it well.
"The problem for the opposition full-back is they have to go inside to pick up one of the three behind Kane and that leaves the space for the Tottenham full-backs to get into.
"The reason why Wanyama is key is because the fear in the Premier League and football in general now is to be counter-attacked. Most teams look to get behind opposition full-backs. But because Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have played full-back in the past they have no problem going into those areas - unlike a lot of centre-backs - and they know Wanyama can sit in between them to make a back three.
"That gives license for the two full-backs to get forward and keeps them nice and strong at the back.
"We talk about Ibrahimovic, Kane, Pogba, Eriksen… but the two players who could have a major statement on this game and the way the game goes is Wanyama and Carrick. They are key to allowing other players in front of them to go forward and express themselves."
