Your essential guide to United v Tottenham

Manchester United conclude the first month of the new season with a testing clash against top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Monday night.

The Reds are looking to make it two wins out of two at home after kicking off the 2018/19 Premier League campaign with a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

However, after the disappointing 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion last time out, Jose Mourinho’s men will be determined to return to winning ways, against a Spurs side who have finished in the top three in each of the last three seasons in the top flight.

Our match preview is here to get you up to speed as we head towards the third Premier League weekend of the season…

ANY EARLY TEAM NEWS?
Diogo Dalot, Nemanja Matic, Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo and Alexis Sanchez all missed the trip to Brighton last weekend and it remains to be seen if the quintet will return against Spurs. Ander Herrera was an unused substitute at the Amex Stadium and could make his first appearance since coming off injured against Bayern Munich in pre-season.

HOW ABOUT TOTTENHAM?
Mauricio Pochettino is set to be without Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama, who is being troubled by a knee problem, and Dutch striker Vincent Janssen, who has a minor foot injury. Young defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers (groin) and Juan Foyth (thigh) are also expected to be sidelined again.

HOW HAVE TOTTENHAM STARTED THE SEASON?
Spurs are one of six teams who won both of their opening two league games. The Lilywhites opened with a hard-fought 2-1 win away at Newcastle United, thanks to goals from Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli. With their new stadium still being completed, the North London club are continuing to play their home games at Wembley, where they beat newly-promoted Fulham 3-1. Leading marksman Harry Kane scored in the month of August for the first time, while Lucas Moura netted his first Premier League goal since joining the club in January and Kieran Trippier was also on target in his first appearance since starring at the World Cup for England.

WHO’S THE REFEREE?
Craig Pawson will take charge of Monday’s game at Old Trafford. The FIFA whistler from Sheffield handled six United matches last season and has issued red cards in each of his first two Premier League fixtures of 2018/19. He will be assisted by Eddie Smart and Richard West, while Jon Moss – who refereed the Reds' 1-0 home win over Spurs last term – is the fourth official.

WHAT’S THE LATEST FROM JOSE?
The boss is set to hold his pre-match press conference at the Aon Training Complex on Friday