Liverpool can spend the guts of £80 million on bringing in seven new players and Man Utd will still draw the transfer headlines. Prior to this game, Man Utd have spent £83 million on five new players, with Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger proving to be the biggest names.
But, for all of Man Utd’s positive transfer moves, it is the potential departures that threaten to upset the team’s balance before playing Tottenham on Saturday. Ángel Di María is expected to be a PSG player by the end of the week, while rumours are swirling that David de Gea could also be gone.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have had a much more sedate summer by comparison. After a messy incident involving Southampton, Tottenham were able to secure the transfer of centre-back Toby Alderweireld to pair alongside fellow Belgian international Jan Vertonghen. That is easily the biggest move for Tottenham.
Expectations
Man Utd’s players have had the luxury of working with manager Louis van Gaal for an entire offseason, whereas last year everything was condensed into a couple of weeks that entailed intense travelling. Comparatively, Man Utd are in a much better position to start the new season.
The squad looks a lot more solid now that Morgan Schneiderlin will be manning the centre of the park, but there is uncertainty surrounding the remaining midfield positions. There is a risk that Man Utd struggle to gel in what will be a high-pressure game they start the season against Spurs at Old Trafford.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has the pick of his best players. He can select his strongest midfield with Harry Kane up front, with Alderweireld lining up at the heart of the defence. Tottenham enter this game with fewer uncertainties in the team and have nothing to lose in playing a team that lost to Swansea City in their first game last season.
Verdict
Tip one: Tottenham or draw @ 2.30
Tip two: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.80
There is considerable value in backing Tottenham or draw at 2.30, as Man Utd are still dogged by transfer uncertainty.
