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Tottenham v Manchester United: 5 key matchups including Pogba against Wanyama

By Rucker Haringey

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Manchester United and Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on December 11, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Manchester United and Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on December 11, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United runs at Facundo Roncaglia of Celta Vigo during the UEFA Europa League, semi final second leg match, between Manchester United and Celta Vigo at Old Trafford on May 11, 2017 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United runs at Facundo Roncaglia of Celta Vigo during the UEFA Europa League, semi final second leg match, between Manchester United and Celta Vigo at Old Trafford on May 11, 2017 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /

3. Marcus Rashford v Toby Alderweireld

When Zlatan Ibrahimovic went down with his devastating knee injury, there were plenty of questions about the striker position at Old Trafford. Fortunately for Mourinho and company, Marcus Rashford has been excellent in relief of the talented Swede.

The talented youngster will be sorely tested against Tottenham’s stingy defense. Toby Alderweireld is a huge reason for Spurs’ proclivity to keep clean sheets. His excellent partnership with countryman Jan Vertonghen is a tough matchup for even the most talented of strikers.

Alderweireld will be matched up with Rashford most often because of his central positioning. Pochettino won’t fear leaving him alone to battle the English starlet. That might be a dangerous move with most centre backs, but Alderweireld has earned his manager’s trust.

Unlike some of the other matchups we’re highlighting, this one should be pretty easy to evaluate. If Rashford’s able to find the back of the net then he’s won the day against Alderweireld. The Belgian will define success by keeping Rashford off the ball for long stretches of the match.

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