Manchester United entertain Tottenham on Sunday as the hosts look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho’s men haven’t won at home in the league since a 4-1 win over Leicester back on September 24, with Stoke, Burnley, Arsenal, and West Ham all coming to the North West, and taking a point home with them.

In all four of those games, United did enough to win the contest, and the same can be said of their efforts at Everton last weekend, where they once again conceded late to only draw 1-1 at Goodison Park.

Nonetheless, Mourinho has been happy with the improved performances from his side, but they’ll need to be clinical and solid at the back against Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham, who thumped Swansea 5-0 last weekend.

Spurs have lost just once in the Premier League this season – 2-1 at Chelsea – and currently find themselves a place and seven points better off than the Red Devils in the table, having won seven and drawn six of their first 14 games.

With the build-up well underway ahead of Sunday’s encounter, we analyse the THREE key battles which could determine the outcome at Old Trafford…

Zlatan Ibrahimovic v Jan Vertonghen

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be tasked with leading the line against the Premier League’s meanest defence at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Swedish forward has scored seven goals in his last six United matches, but that record will be put to the test against Jan Vertonghen and co this weekend.

Spurs, even without Toby Alderweireld, have proven tough to beat this season, and Vertonghen has been a key part of their solid start to the season.

Thus, it will be up to Ibrahimovic to make things uncomfortable for the Belgian international, and the 35-year-old may even latch onto Eric Dier in an attempt to unsettle the slightly-less experienced 22-year-old.

Nevertheless, Vertonghen will be tasked with keeping Ibrahimovic quiet and frustrated, and it could hold the key to Spurs getting a positive result in Manchester on Sunday.

Ander Herrera v Dele Alli

Two players who always play on the edge, Ander Herrera and Dele Alli are likely to battle for midfield supremacy on Sunday.

England international Alli will likely play in the number ten role for Spurs behind Harry Kane, as the 20-year-old bids to score his first goal since October 15.

However, he’ll come up against one of United’s best players this season in Herrera, who was once again outstanding in the midfield in the draw against Everton last weekend.

By sitting in front of the back four, the Spaniard will look to keep Alli in check by constantly chasing him down and intercepting through balls to him and from him.

There are both quite feisty on the football field, so expect the odd flare up between the two on Sunday!

Harry Kane v Phil Jones

If Ibrahimovic is the form man for United upfront, then Harry Kane will be the man Spurs look to in an attempt to win at Old Trafford for the third time in five visits.

Kane has netted seven times in the six matches he’s played since returning from injury, including braces against both West Ham and Swansea at White Hart Lane.

The England striker is looking once again like the main outlet for Spurs, so it’ll be up to the resurgent Phil Jones to keep the 23-year-old at bay on Sunday.

Jones was drafted in to the United defence against Swansea at the start of November, and has since then been a regular feature as the Red Devils continue to struggle with injuries.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old has performed admirably in recent weeks, and will surely keep his place at the back, and could even partner Eric Bailly if the Ivorian is recalled after injury.

It will be up to Jones to marshal Kane and keep him quiet and on the periphery of the action, and that battle could ultimately determine the outcome at Old Trafford.