Tottenham's storming start to this league campaign, which has seen them win all four of their games, couldn't be more different to the abject opening sequence they put together in 2008/09, under the ill-fated leadership of Juande Ramos.

Most of the credit for this new-found swagger goes to manager Harry Redknapp, who has instilled a team spirit into a group of players that previously had failed to gel. Up front, Jermain Defoe – ever the confidence player – is showing the sort of sharpness that makes you wonder why he was ever less than first-choice at Spurs, while the other senior strikers – Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko – offer a useful blend of physiques and playing styles. The sense of balance is just as obvious in midfield, where Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric flank the engine room of Wilson Palacios and Tom Huddlestone/Jermaine Jenas; the unfortunate loss of Modric, who broke a bone in his leg in the 2-1 win against Birmingham, is a huge blow to the club's momentum. Thankfully, the emergency signing of Niko Kranjcar from Portsmouth should paper over that crack nicely.

There are, however, still question marks about this Spurs side, most notably about the frailty of its central defenders – stand up Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate, if you can – and the mental state of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, for whom the phrase 'a rush of blood to the head' was invented.

Still, there are many more positives than negatives. Having soundly beaten Liverpool at White Hart Lane in their first game of the season, Spurs will not fear a visit from Manchester United. But as the season goes on, and injuries take their toll, I wonder how much longer they can survive near the summit of the league.

Intimidating track record

Manchester United have stuttered in the early stages of this campaign, as they seek to win an unprecedented fourth straight title. But Alex Ferguson will be comforted by his team's exemplary record against Tottenham. They have not lost to the north-London side in their last 16 league meetings, a run that dates back to May 2001, when Spurs won this corresponding fixture 3-1. Of course, such runs don't last forever, and Ferguson is wary of a Spurs team that has improved almost beyond recognition since the opening matches of last season.

Recent history apart, also in United's favour is the fact that many of their stars were not called upon during the international break, including Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Michael Owen and Anderson. With so many players either rested or returning from injury, United won't be able to blame fatigue if they leave White Hart Lane without a point.

FORM GUIDE

Tottenham Hotspur

Aug 29 Tottenham 2-1 Birmingham
Aug 26 Doncaster 1-5 Tottenham (League Cup)
Aug 23 West Ham 1-2 Tottenham
Aug 19 Hull 1-5 Tottenham
Aug 16 Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool

Manchester United

Aug 29 Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal
Aug 22 Wigan 0-5 Man Utd
Aug 19 Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
Aug 16 Man Utd 1-0 Birmingham
Aug 9 Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd (Community Shield; Chelsea won 4-1 on penalties)


TEAM NEWS

Tottenham Hotspur

Centre-back Sebastien Bassong has recovered from a knock he picked up on international duty for Cameroon, and should start against the Premier League champions.

New signing Niko Kranjcar, who made little impact for Croatia in their 5-1 defeat by England at Wembley on Wednesday, is expected to replace compatriot Modric on the left side of midfield.

Ledley King's famously dodgy knees are not the problem this time – the fragile defender strained his groin against Birmingham – but he's tipped to start at the back alongside Bassong.

In goal, Carlo Cudicini will continue to deputise for the injured Heurelho Gomes.

Last starting XI: Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, King (Hutton 46), Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Palacios, Modric (Crouch 49), Keane, Defoe (Pavlyuchenko 80).

Manchester United

Versatile Irishman John O'Shea is out with a calf strain and is set to be replaced at right-back by Gary Neville. United's club captain proved his fitness in a reserve game last week and will be desperate to return to the first team.

Rio Ferdinand suffered a thigh strain in the Community Shield in August and hasn't played since. But the English defender is back in training and will partner Nemanja Vidic as usual, subject to a late fitness test.

Last starting XI: Foster, Evra, Brown, Vidic, O'Shea, Giggs (Berbatov 85), Carrick, Nani, Fletcher, Valencia (Park 63), Rooney.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham Hotspur



With his revelatory, man-of-the-match performance for England against Croatia on Wednesday, Aaron Lennon proved that he is one of the most-improved players in England. His raw pace and skill were never in question, but now there are welcome signs of maturity in the winger's overall play. Already this season, he has shown much greater intelligence in his use of the ball, especially in choosing when to cross – a glaring weakness in the old Lennon – and when to run at defenders. That said, if any full-back can keep him quiet, it's United's Patrice Evra. It should be a fascinating duel between two of the quickest performers in the league.

Manchester United



It's something of a football clich̩ that ex-players always return to haunt their old clubs, but that's exactly what Sir Alex Ferguson will hope Michael Carrick does at White Hart Lane tomorrow. Carrick's 'Marmite' status means he will always have his critics, but there's no doubt that the former Spurs star is now a key component in United's team. He is not a showy player but his range of passing and positional sense are both first-class Рhe has that rare ability to keep a team ticking over, even if many fans choose to ignore such an attribute. As Harry Redknapp searches for the best partner for Wilson Palacios in the heart of his midfield, no doubt many Tottenham supporters will spare a thought for the playmaker they once called their own.

PREDICTION

Spurs made light work of Liverpool at home on the opening weekend of the new season and their confidence will be high as they look to scalp another of the so-called 'big four'. Crucially though, there is now a Luka Modric-shaped hole in the hosts' midfield. The Croatian has been vitally important for Spurs so far this season, and although the pace of Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe will no doubt cause United problems at times, Modric will be sorely missed. In light of United's excellent record at Spurs, and with Rio Ferdinand back at the heart of their defence, I expect United to be good enough to take three points from what should be a very tight contest. No one would be surprised if it's Tottenham old boy Dimitar Berbatov – rather than Wayne Rooney, who ran his socks off for England on Wednesday and must still be slightly jaded – who gets the winning goal for the visitors.

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