Voices on the game... United

Football is back, and we've a belter to kick-off our return to Premier League action as we take on Manchester United at home on Friday evening (8.15pm). Continuing our regular feature for the 2019/20 season, 'voices on the game' is back with a bang as well with the views of highly-respected football writer Simon Peach, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ben Davies.

Simon Peach

Chief football writer for the Press Association
United and England reporter

“United’s last game was in the Europe League against LASK in the Europa League. They went 11 unbeaten in all competitions. I don’t see how they can maintain that momentum due to the giant lapse in time (between fixtures). This is a mini season in itself. It will be interesting to see if the experience of playing behind closed doors (against LASK in Austria), which is something not many players would have experienced, certainly at club level, will benefit them. There is a lot of positivity around United. They’ve had a good lockdown in terms of engagement, a feel-good factor around Marcus Rashford and they’ve got an extended loan deal for Odion Ighalo, he’s been a really good squad player. They only have two injured players in Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe. Rashford and Paul Pogba are coming back and that will bolster their armoury."

"Bruno Fernandes is a joy to watch. He’s the first player I’ve seen at United for a long time who makes you go ‘wow’. If they can find a way to dovetail Bruno and Pogba into midfield, that’s quite a prospect. Look at United’s midfield now. Fred has arrived, Scott McTominay is coming on leaps and bounds, he’ll be the fittest player coming out of lockdown, Nemanja Matic also has a new lease of life. It’s looking good, on paper.”

Jose Mourinho

Head Coach, Tottenham Hotspur

“It’s a very important game. They are four points ahead of us and after this game, it can be seven four or one, and that’s a huge difference between one and seven. I would say, with four, life goes on and with eight matches to go, four points it’s not an important difference. But the difference between one and seven is a gap, so it’s a very important match.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manager, Manchester United

“Tottenham are a top team, Champions League finalists last season. Now we know Harry Kane, Son and Sissoko, they’re all back so we’re going to play against a top team. The first game, things always happen in the first round, second round after a pre-season. Now of course, it’s towards the end of the season but it’s been a long break and you can see mistakes happen that normally don’t. To get into the rhythm is important and we’ve got a tough start, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Ben Davies

Defender, Tottenham Hotspur

“It’s a huge game in our season. If we can start on the front foot it could give us the platform and the confidence to really push on for the rest of the season. It’s huge. We know this game is vital going into the final stretch of the season and where we want to finish. We’ve had a long preparation for it and we can’t wait to get going. It will an intense game. They will want the win as much as we do. We’re prepared for a tough night of football but one we can’t wait for. Hopefully, we’ll get the result.”