Manchester United vs Tottenham combined XI: Who makes the cut for the Premier League title rivals?

Both Manchester United and Tottenham have a point to prove when they meet at Old Trafford in Saturday’s early kick-off.

For the hosts, the mounting pressure on Jose Mourinho following his defensive performances and defeat to Huddersfield in the last game week, a result is imperative – not only to keep pace with rivals Manchester City but to keep the fans onside during a tough run.

Mauricio Pochettino’s players will have to prove that, after being ‘sky high’ with their performances against Real Madrid and Liverpool, they can bounce back from disappointment in the EFL Cup, having lost to West Ham at Wembley having held a two-goal lead at half time - and without the injured Harry Kane.

Both United and Spurs sit level on 20 points in second and third, respectively, five points adrift of leaders City, meaning a loss this weekend could well leave an eight point gap to the top come Monday morning.

Mourinho has a number of injury concerns coming into the weekend, though has placed his faith firmly in the players he has available to get the job done against a strong Spurs.

Even with his injury problems, Mourinho has plenty of talent available this weekend, however, how many of them would get in a combined Man United & Tottenham XI.

Standard Sport’s Tom Doyle and Jack Rosser put their heads together to pick the best XI from players available this weekend, take a look…

David De Gea

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Hugo Lloris should be recognised as one of the world's top goalkeepers, but De Gea leads the pack with Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer currently out injured.

Toby Alderweireld

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The Belgian defender, alongside his compatriot, has formed the most formidable defensive pairing in the Premier League since his move to north London.

Undoubtedly a fine defender, having more regularly played in a three this season the Spurs defender has been allowed further chances to show off his prowess with the ball at his feet – he’d be one of the first names on the team sheet in any Premier League squad.

Phil Jones

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Once heralded as Duncan Edwards' natural heir at Old Trafford, the injury-prone defender has become more memorable as a rubber-faced internet meme than for his performances on the pitch.

However, Mourinho sees something in Jones that made Sir Alex Ferguson desperate to spend big on a 19-year-old from Blackburn Rovers. Jones has repaid Mourinho's faith this season to form a strong bond with Eric Bailly, until familiar injury problems returned.

Jan Vertonghen

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A versatile defender, Vertonghen has once again showcased his value to Pochettino in recent weeks, playing a left wing-back role in the absence of both Danny Rose and Ben Davies.

As mentioned, his pairing with Alderweireld is second to none in the top flight and is what makes both players a shoe in for this XI.

Antonio Valencia

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Few if any actively enjoy playing against the Ecuadorian, who has made the right wing-back role his own with a mix of brute strength and understated technique - as shown with his September goal of the month against Everton.

Still one of the fittest players in the Premier League at 32, Valencia's stamina has allowed United to stretch teams on the counter with a plethora of late goals this season.

Nemanja Matic

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Arguably United's most important summer signing. The former Chelsea star has given the Red Devils control of their midfield for the first time since Paul Scholes retired, while his partnership with Paul Pogba looked promising until the latter's injury layoff.

Harry Winks

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Having had his maiden Premier League season ended early at Burnley last term, few would have imagined that inside a month of his first start this term, the Spurs midfielder would have been putting in a top performance at the Bernabeu just a week after making his England debut.

The 21-year-old has exceeded all expectations so far this season, and looks as if he’s far from finished.

Danny Rose

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Rose has returned from a near ten-month lay off and, aside from maybe going a little hard in the gym, looks as good as ever.

The England man was accomplished in a midfield role in Madrid and, despite their second-half collapse, looked sharper with every minute against West Ham.

Christian Eriksen

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Often criminally underrated, Eriksen is the man who keeps Spurs ticking.

As a playmaker the Dane is probably only behind Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne in terms of talent.

Pulling the strings behind those that grab the headlines, Eriksen is often one to light a spark or drag Spurs through a game in which they’re struggling.

Dele Alli

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The England international endured a slow start to the season, struggling to find form and having to sit out the first three Champions League games due to a suspension carried over from last season.

However, deployed in deeper role against both Liverpool and West Ham Alli has turned his form around and once again become a game changer for Pochettino's side, bagging a goal in both games.

Romelu Lukaku

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The Belgian striker may have his critics, but the 24-year-old has scored seven League goals in a bright start to his United career.

Lukaku may lack the first touch associated with a £75million deal, but he has scored just one less League goal than Harry Kane with two-thirds of the shots.