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Tottenham starting XI v Manchester United: Pochettino will setup to attack Mourinho

By Rucker Haringey

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur salutes the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur salutes the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /
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STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur runs with the ball under pressure from Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur runs with the ball under pressure from Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

Centre back-Jan Vertonghen

There’s been a lot of drama about Belgians at Tottenham as of late, but Vertonghen has been an absolute rock for Pochettino. He’ll be expected to marshal Spurs’ back line against a very dangerous United attack.

Vertonghen might not have the strength to really grapple with Romelu Lukaku, but he has the mental discipline to frustrate his countryman for long stretches. For Vertonghen, it’s going to be about reading Mourinho’s attacks before they are unfurled. If he plays a great mental game it will help put Tottenham in a great position to win.

Centre back-Davinson Sanchez

If I were Pochettino I’d trust Toby Alderweireld here, but I’m not in charge of Spurs. My suspicion is that Pochettino will go with Sanchez because of his pace and athleticism advantage.

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In many ways, Sanchez is the perfect centre back to deploy against Lukaku. He has the physical strength to stand up to the striker’s attempts to bully him. He can’t afford to get baited into silly fouls, but he can’t get pushed around either. Sanchez’s ability to toe this precarious line will be a key for Tottenham.

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