By David Hobbs
October 20 2005

Manchester United will be looking to turn a dull and lacklustre midweek performance against Lille in the Champions League into a glittering goal-fest against high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United v. Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League
Old Trafford
22nd October, 2005 

Manchester United will be looking to turn a dull and lacklustre midweek performance against Lille in the Champions League into a glittering goal-fest against high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.

A great run of league form has propelled Spurs into 2nd position, only one point ahead of the Red Devils but with a game in hand and are currently the closest team to Chelsea.

The excellent season so far is mainly down to Dutch manager Martin Jol, who is well aware of the Dutch connection at Old Trafford at the front and back of United's team.

Jol has been very impressed with United's Edwin van der Sar and admitted Ruud van Nistelrooy will always be a constant threat. He said: "Everyone knew Van der Sar was a quality goalkeeper and people like Peter Schmeichel said was probably the best foreign goalkeeper in England. He’s one of the best around, it’s no secret and he’s done well."

Jol continued: "Ruud is a goalscorer and will always score goals, if you create chances he’ll be on the end of them. He’s prolific. He’s a regular in the national team and a great player."

Not only will there be a Dutch connection tomorrow, but a South Korean one too as Spurs' Lee Young-Pyo and United's Park Ji-Sung are both likely to compete against each other for the first time since their Premiership moves from PSV.

Jol commented: "Ji-Sung Park played in Holland and is another good asset. His biggest quality is his stamina and his sharpness. He’s always running all over the pitch. I know PSV miss him and Young-Pyo, they won the title and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and those two were a big part of it."

Team News: 
Quinton Fortune, Wes Brown, Louis Saha and Ryan Giggs are all definite absentees. Welshman Ryan Giggs broke a cheekbone in Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Lille while the others are expected back in full training soon.

Meanwhile, on-form Egyptian striker Mido is a doubt for Spurs with a hamstring injury.

ManUtdWeb Prediction:
I'd take a point off Spurs considering how well they've been playing this season but I'm sure Sir Alex Ferguson would have rallied his players to pick up full points.

David Hobbs - Webmaster
[david@manutdweb.com]