Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's huge Premier League clash between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. Both of these sides have top-four aspirations at the very least this season, but neither are currently in the coveted Champions League places, so this is a significant match for their respective hopes. Neither are in the best form, though, which makes this game all the more intriguing. We will have an in-depth look at both sides a little later on, but for now let's have some team news...

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Darmian; Carrick, Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Pogba, Martial; Ibrahimovic

MAN UTD SUBS: Romero, Bailly, Blind, Fellaini, Mata, Rashford, Rooney

TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama, Dembele; Eriksen, Dele, Son; Kane

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Vorm, Wimmer, Davies, Dier, Winks, Sissoko, Nkoudou

Some interesting team news there, not least from Manchester United, who make six changes to the side that started in Ukraine on Thursday. The headline news is that captain Wayne Rooney once again drops to the bench, meaning that he may well have to wait even longer to get the one goal he needs to equal Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time record of 249 for the club. Rooney has a good record against Tottenham, who are one of seven teams he has scored 10 or more Premier League goals against, but he will start off with a watching berth this evening.

Instead, Anthony Martial comes into the side in the trio behind the striker, with Paul Pogba expected to play in a more advanced role than the one he carried out alongside Herrera against Zorya. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who scored his first goal for the club in Ukraine and has overcome a difficult start to have seemingly won the trust of Mourinho, retains his place in the side, while Michael Carrick gets the armband on his return as Mata drops to the bench.

Mourinho has called on those attacking players to score more goals, but one man who has not been struggling on that front is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The striker leads the line once again this afternoon having scored seven times in his last six outings in all competitions, including in each of the last four games. His record at home grounds in recent years is also staggering having scoring 71 goals in his last 70 home league appearances since the start of the 2012-13 season.

© SilverHub

There are no fewer than four changes in the defensive five for United this evening, starting in goal where David de Gea returns in place of Romero having been given the night off in midweek. Marcos Rojo is the only defender to keep his place in the side from that 2-0 win over Zorya, with the fit-again Bailly and Blind dropping to the bench while Ashley Young misses out altogether. Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones and Matteo Darmian all return to the side in their places.

As for Spurs, the big news is the long-awaited return of Toby Alderweireld, whose absence from the side has coincided with a dip in form. The Belgian has been sidelined for eight weeks with a knee injury, but made his return off the bench against CSKA Moscow in midweek and is deemed fit enough to play from the start this afternoon. He partners his compatriot Jan Vertonghen at the back as Spurs are finally able to name their strongest defensive quartet again, with Walker and Rose on the flanks.

One of the biggest questions for Mauricio Pochettino upon the return of Alderweireld was what to do with Eric Dier, and the answer seems to be to drop him. The versatile England international shone in a defensive midfield role last season and began the current campaign in that position too before dropping back to cover the injury to Alderweireld. However, with Dembele and Wanyama also vying for those defensive midfield spots, Dier could well find himself to be a victim of his versatility.

Alderweireld and Dembele, who replaces Winks in the starting XI, are the only changes from the side in midweek, which means that Eriksen, Alli and Son continue in the trio behind the striker. Eriksen in particular has found his form in recent weeks, finally breaking his duck for the season in the 2-1 defeat by Chelsea a fortnight ago before following that up with a brace against Swansea in their most recent Premier League outing. The Dan was also in sparkling form against CSKA Moscow in midweek so will be hoping to keep this rich vein of form running.

The main goal threat will, as ever, come from Harry Kane, though. The England international has not taken long to find his feet again following a seven-week injury absence, scoring seven times in his last six Premier League games following a run of five without a goal. However, Manchester United are one of only three from 24 teams he has never scored against in the Premier League, despite coming up against the Red Devils five times. He has also failed to score against Watford and Cardiff, but will be looking to make it 22 from 24 sides scored against this afternoon.

© SilverHub

There is plenty of quality in both sides, then, and we should be in for a fascinating encounter today. However, the current league position of United in particular belies the firepower they have at their disposal. If you believe Jose Mourinho then that is down to bad luck more than anything else, but whatever the reason it has been a thoroughly disappointing start to the campaign under the former Chelsea boss. They are already nine points adrift of the top four and, with Chelsea currently leading against West Brom, are set to start their match 16 points behind the leaders. Defeat, then, could spell the end of their title challenge in mid-December.

Mourinho immediately targeted the title when he arrived at the club and he has backed with a lot of money in order to achieve that goal, but United's current tally of 21 points from 14 games is their joint-lowest ever at this stage of a Premier League season. It will, of course, take time for Mourinho to implement his ideas, but the problems that were evident during the Louis van Gaal era - namely their failure to score enough goals to see a game out - still seem to be prevalent.

Indeed, no team in the top nine of the table has scored fewer goals than United, who have hit the back of the net just 19 times from 14 games this term. That is the same amount as relegation-threatened Swansea City, while only seven teams in the entire division have scored fewer - a stat which simply must improve if they have serious ambitions to break back into the top four. Things aren't exactly very tight at the other end either, with 16 conceded in those 14 outings, but their main problems have come in attack.

United do actually come into today's game on a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, while they have lost just two of their last 17, but they have drawn far too many games in that period and are today looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since September. Consistency has been an issue for United, and they have dropped too many points in draws this term, with no team having shared the spoils on more occasions than Mourinho's men.

Indeed, they have drawn their last three in a row coming into this match and another stalemate would make it four on the bounce for the first time since a run of five in October 1992. United have actually drawn more matches than they have won this season, registering just one victory in their last eight Premier League games and only two in 11 since August. Their performances in some of those games have perhaps merited more, but they simply need to get more points on the board soon if they are to stay in the top-four race.

Results have been particularly disappointing here at Old Trafford, where United have amassed just 10 points from seven games so far this season - fewer than they have managed on their travels. They are winless in their last four league games in front of their own fans, and should they fail to end that run today then it will be the first time in Premier League history that they have gone five without a victory at Old Trafford. The last time that happened in the top flight was from November 1989 to February 1990, so that would be a long-standing an unwanted record to break.

United have won just two of their seven home league games all season, but an optimist may also point out that they have only lost once in front of their own fans across all competitions under Mourinho. Indeed, they are 10 unbeaten at Old Trafford heading into today's game, stretching back to their September defeat to Manchester City in the derby - since when they have won six and drawn four. Home and away, though, United are yet to beat a team currently in the top half of the table this season, drawing four and losing three of their seven meetings so far.

Spurs are not only in the top half of the table, but they are currently six points better off than United heading into this match and the incentive to move nine clear of Mourinho's men will be huge. Pochettino's side also know that victory would take them back into the top four of the Premier League table courtesy of Manchester City's slip-up against Leicester City yesterday, and a big enough win would even take them third - at least until Liverpool face West Ham later this afternoon.

As with United, draws have been the biggest problem for Tottenham so far this season. They only fell to their first league defeat of the campaign a fortnight ago, but they have drawn six of their 14 outings to slip off the pace in the top-four race. They looked like potential title challengers when they ended Manchester City's perfect start in October, but since then they have won just two of their seven league outings.

There have been signs of a return to form in the past week, though, with Spurs thrashing Swansea 5-0 last weekend before finally banishing their Webley woes with a 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League in midweek. Both performances were much-improved and handed them back-to-back wins for the first time since that victory over Man City at the start of October. They had won just one of their previous 10 outings in all competitions before that, so those victories will have done wonders for their confidence heading into today's game.

As has been the case since Pochettino arrived, Tottenham's strongest area this season has been their defence, and despite their recent dip in form they still boast the best defensive record in the Premier League. They have conceded just 10 goals in their 14 outings, and with Alderweireld back in the side that unit should only get stronger too. At the other end they are comfortably the lowest scorers in the top five, although that was affected by an earlier injury layoff for Kane.

The main problem for Spurs right now is their away form. They are winless in their last seven away games in all competitions stretching back to September 27, when they beat CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. They have lost three of their last four on the road too, and another defeat this afternoon would make it three on the bounce for the first time since March 2014. A draw may be considered a decent result for Tottenham today, so Pochettino may not be too disheartened if that winless run continues, but another defeat would be very damaging.

Tottenham's last away league outing resulted in their first defeat of the season at the hands of Chelsea, meaning that they are in danger of falling to back-to-back league losses on the road for the first time since March 2014. It is now four games and two-and-a-half months since Spurs won a league game away from home, and interestingly their away record this season is identical to United's home record - two wins, four draws and a defeat.

Pochettino was full of praise for Jose Mourinho in the build-up to this match, insisting that he will always be the 'Special One', but there are plenty of arguments for Pochettino himself to be the brightest young manager in the Premier League right now. However, he has not experienced much joy at Old Trafford in the past, failing to win any of his four away league games against Manchester United as a manager.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Old Trafford, which means that it is time for a prediction! No team has drawn more games in the Premier League this season than Manchester United and Tottenham, and considering that is also both side's most common result at home and away respectively, everything points towards another stalemate here. United's misfiring attack and Tottenham's sturdy defence means that there aren't likely to be many goals, so I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw.

This used to be the most dreaded match of the season for Spurs, who failed to win a single game against Manchester United from 2001 to 2012 - a 22-match streak that saw 17 defeats and just five draws. However, their record has improved of last and United have now won just two of their last eight league meetings with Spurs, drawing three and losing three in that time.

Tottenham's record at Old Trafford is also improving, but it still does not look great for today's visitors. They have won just two of their last 26 league games at this stadium and were winless here from 1989 to 2012 before finally breaking their hoodoo in September 2012. Since then they also won here on New Year's Day 2014, but it is still the away ground where they have lost the most games in Premier League history with 19.

The away team has failed to score in the last four Premier League editions of this fixture, the most recent of which saw Spurs score three goals in six second-half minutes on their way to a 3-0 triumph in April. That was Tottenham's biggest league win over Manchester United since a 4-1 triumph in January 1996, making up for a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season when Kyle Walker scored an own goal.

Right, the players are out and we're just about ready to go now! It is a huge match for both of these two sides as they look to get their top-four challenges back on track.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Tottenham get us underway at Old Trafford.

CHANCE! Almost a perfect start for United as Pogba comes close inside two minutes. Mkhitaryan kicks the move off with a smart turn before playing the ball out to Ibrahimovic on the right. The Swede pulls the ball back into the middle for Pogba, but his finish is too close to Lloris. Pogba probably should have scored there!

Mkhitaryan's form at the moment makes it even more puzzling just why he wasn't given a chance earlier in the season. He made that chance for Pogba out of nothing and is suddenly looking full of confidence.

Tottenham are just struggling to get their foot on the ball for a prolonged period of time at the moment. United have settled into the game quicker here.

SHOT! Better from the visitors now as they finally do get themselves in possession, but most of it coming deep inside their own half. They finally do manage to break out down the left flank, though, and Son cuts inside before trying to curl on into the far top corner, but it is well off target.

Now it is United who aren't seeing much of the ball, but they are keeping their shape well from the front which is preventing Spurs from making any real progress upfield.

Very nearly a chance for the visitors as a diagonal ball is floated into the box which has Jones very worried. Alli makes a fine run in behind the United defender, but he just can't get on the end of it.

Mkhitaryan has a shooting chance at the other end, but it is a very ambitious effort as he chests the ball down just outside the area and fires a first-time left-footed volley well off target.

Still no clear chances to report since that early Pogba opportunity. It is a good, even contest between these two sides at the moment.

Spurs win a free kick in a good crossing position and Wanyama sneaks in at the back post, but his header down is blocked by Pogba who is able to deal with the danger.

Another free kick in a very similar position for Spurs here as they begin to gain a measure of control over this match...

SAVE! This time Eriksen goes for goal, and De Gea has to scramble across to palm the ball away having not been in position when the free kick was taken.

Tottenham have edged the possession in this opening 20 minutes, overcoming a slow start to enjoy slightly the better of the game so far. There is very little in it, though, and the best chance has gone the way of United.

CHANCE! Another chance for the hosts as Carrick lifts a pass into the box which Herrera knocks back towards Pogba. Pogba steps over it to leave it for Mkhitaryan, but his drilled strike from the edge of the box is crucially blocked by Vertonghen.

SAVE! Spurs fail to deal with the resulting delivery and, after a brief scramble in the box, the ball comes out to Herrera whose looping effort is comfortably gathered by Lloris.

Almost a chance for United to break as Ibrahimovic hooks a pass over to Martial. He races into the box, but gets the ball stuck under his feet and a combination of Walker and Wanyama are able to get it away.

Ibrahimovic is given a warning by referee Bobby Madley after he caught Walker with a high foot, leaving the full-back writhing in agony on the floor.

SHOT! Poor from Alderweireld as his clearance falls straight to Carrick, who runs on to the ball and powers a first-time effort towards goal from 25 yards. It is a decent hit, but it is always rising on its way over.

First blood to United! It is a first Old Trafford goal for Mkhitaryan and two in a week for the Armenian! Kane gives the ball away in midfield for Spurs and Herrera immediately lays a ball through for Mkhitaryan. He only has Lloris to beat and proceeds to smash a fearsome finish high into the net. No stopping that one.

How was Mkhitaryan not starting earlier in the season? He has now been involved in four goals in his last four games for United.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the afternoon goes to Valencia for a poor challenge on Rose. That means he will miss the match against Crystal Palace next time out.

CHANCE! Another chance for United to double their lead. It is another quick counter after Spurs give the ball away and a cross from the right goes all the way through to Ibrahimovic at the back post. He takes the ball down and gets a shot away, but Lloris is down smartly at his near post.

SAVE! Spurs hit back after a spell of United pressure following the goal, and De Gea has to be alert here as Son fires one towards goal from outside the area. It is central enough, though, and De Gea tips it over the top.

A small slice of history for Mkhitaryan...

1 - Henrikh Mkhitaryan has become the first Armenian to score in the Premier League. Lead. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 11, 2016

Spurs win a free kick in a good crossing position, but United deal with the initial ball before also clearing the second delivery at the near post.

SHOT! Kane has been quiet so far in this first half but he tries a speculative effort here, looking to pick out the bottom corner from over 25 yards. You can see what he is trying to do, but he puts his finish a few yards wide.

United's goal really lifted the mood around Old Trafford, but in the last five minutes or so Spurs have come back into it and they are pushing for an equaliser before half time. Alli does well to win a corner for his side...

There is a really good battle in the middle of the park between Pogba for United and Wanyama and Dembele for Spurs. They are all big, strong athletic players and it is always a good tussle when they come up against each other.

Half a chance for Martial as the ball arrives to him at the back post and he goes for a first-time volley, but he blazes it a long way over the crossbar.

There will be one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

Bobby Madley brings an end to the first half at Old Trafford and it is Manchester United who go into the break with the lead. Tottenham have enjoyed more of the possession in this one so far, but it is United who have used it better and created the better chances. They deserve their half-time lead, but it is still all to play for in the second half.

The only goal of the game so far came just before the half-hour mark when Kane gave the ball away on the halfway line, allowing United to immediately launch a counter-attack. Herrera slid a perfectly-weighted through-ball in to Mkhitaryan, who raced towards goal before lashing his finish past a helpless Lloris for his first Old Trafford goal.

United could, and perhaps should have broken the deadlock inside two minutes, and again Mkhitaryan was involved when he span away from his marker before finding Ibrahimovic. Zlatan in turn played the ball across for Pogba, but his finish was just too close to Lloris. Mkhitaryan has come close on another occasion too, while Ibrahimovic has been denied by Lloris inside the box.

Tottenham, by contrast, have mainly been limited to shots from outside the area so far this afternoon. Son, Eriksen and Kane have all had long-range efforts, with De Gea called into action on a couple of occasions, but the Spaniard would have expected to make the saves. Spurs have not been incisive enough so far and they need an improvement if they are to get themselves back into the match in the coming 45 minutes.

KICKOFF: Manchester United get us back underway for the second half at Old Trafford, and what a big 45 minutes it promises to be!

Positive start to the half from United here. They have never lost a Premier League home game in which they have been leading at half time, but a second goal will settle a few nerves following their recent run of draws.

As was the case in the first half, Tottenham are struggling for possession in the opening stages of this half. United have so far done a very good job of keeping the likes of Eriksen and Kane quiet.

A reminder that victory for United today would see them close the gap to the top four to just six points - which will look a whole lot better than the current nine-point gap. There is still a long way to go, but if Manchester City and Spurs - and perhaps later Liverpool - drop points while they win then it will be a very good weekend for United.

SAVE! Better from Spurs again as they begin to grow into the half once more. They come forward quickly here and Walker flicks the ball back to Eriksen, who has a bit of time just outside the area. He fires a well-struck shot towards goal, but it is straight at De Gea, who beats it away.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Tottenham to level things up! Pogba completely loses Wanyama when marking from a free kick to leave the midfielder free in the middle of the box. Wanyama simply has to score, but he gets his header all wrong and United survive.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Spurs make their first change of the afternoon as Moussa Sissoko replaces Son.

YELLOW CARD! Wanyama goes into the book for an aerial challenge of Jones have appeared to catch the United defender with his arm.

Tottenham are on top in this one right now as they push for an equaliser, but with the exception of that Wanyama chance they haven't shown too many signs of troubling De Gea.

Free kick to United in a good position here as Pogba goes down under the challenge of Dembele. It relieves the pressure on United, and they may fancy their chances of scoring from here too...

OFF THE BAR! It is Pogba who goes for goal from the free kick, and it is a brilliant effort. He swings it towards the top corner with pace and power, but it comes crashing off the woodwork with Lloris rooted to the spot. So unlucky for Pogba.

CHANCE! Another big chance for Pogba, but once again he is denied by Lloris! It is a flowing counter-attack as Pogba plays it out to Herrera before getting the ball back and lashing a first-time effort towards the top corner, but Lloris reacts really well to push it past the post. Moments later there is a penalty appeal against Vertonghen, but the referee waves it away.

YELLOW CARD! Seconds after being denied by Lloris, Pogba is shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Dembele.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Another change for the visitors as Dembele is replaced by Harry Winks.

This one really is set up nicely for the final 20 minutes. United have not been able to see games out very well this season so their nerves will grow as the clock ticks by and their lead remains just one.

SAVE! Spurs win a free kick in a good position and Eriksen looks to sneak it into the corner on the goalkeeper's side, but De Gea is alert and gets down well to push it away with a one-handed save.

MAN UTD SUB: The hosts make their first change of the afternoon as Marcus Rashford replaces Martial.

Just over 15 minutes left in this one now and it is still all to play for. This is all about game management for United now, but that is not something they have been particularly good at recently. A second goal would do wonders for them right now.

YELLOW CARD! Mkhitaryan becomes the latest player in the book for a cynical trip to stop a Tottenham counter.

YELLOW CARD! Walker swiftly follows Mkhitaryan in the book for a shirt tug on Rashford.

Fellaini has just been sent to warm up by Jose Mourinho, and many fans inside Old Trafford started booing the Belgian. There was a smattering of applause immediately afterwards, but the home fans are clearly unhappy with Fellaini at the moment.

YELLOW CARD! Rose is the latest name in the book for a sliding challenge on Mkhitaryan having been beaten all ends up by the Armenian.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Spurs make a third and final change while Mkhitaryan receives treatment after that Rose foul, with Georges-Kevin Nkoudou replacing Eriksen.

This does not look good for United at all. Mkhitaryan is strapped on to a stretcher having suffered an ankle injury in that challenge and he will not be able to continue here.

MAN UTD SUB: Eric Bailly comes on in place of the injured Mkhitaryan.

Safe to say that Danny Rose is not the most popular player in Old Trafford right now. The fans have some choice chants for the Tottenham full-back having seen Mkhitaryan stretchered off.

Just one minute of normal time remains here, but there should be a fair chunk of injury time after that Mkhitaryan injury.

Sure enough, there will be six minutes of added time at the end of this match!

This is absolutely crucial that United hold out here. Another late goal conceded would be a huge hammer blow, and would also leave them 15 points off leaders Chelsea - surely an unassailable gap already.

Almost a chance for Rose of all people as he charges into the box, but he turns down the chance to shoot and instead tries to take on Jones, who makes the tackle.

MAN UTD SUB: A third and final change for United as Marouane Fellaini replaces Herrera.

The United fans are made to wait for the final whistle, but it finally goes and they are able to celebrate a first league win at Old Trafford since September! Henrikh Mkhitaryan got the only goal of the game before later being stretchered off, and the win takes United to within six points of the top four. Spurs, meanwhile, miss the chance to move into the Champions League places.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon I'm afraid! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash between Manchester United and Tottenham as Mkhitaryan fired the hosts to within six points of the top four. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!