AWAY DAYS TROUBLES

After what seemed like a routine three points at home yesterday, Manchester United embark on the real tests of their festive schedule tomorrow at White Harte Lane. It's not that Newcastle are not a test of their own but that the next two assignments are away from home.

Performances and results away from the M16 have been too few and far in between that our season so far is built squarely upon our home form. It's not even because we've had a tough run of away games as venues like the King Power or Turf Moor have also proved to be a tough ask for our players.

On Sunday, the task will be as tough as they come away from home. United have not beaten Spurs in the last four meetings, a run that stretches back to the jolly-good days of Sir Alex Ferguson. We've also been outplayed by them in a couple of those games. If winning on Boxing Day was achieved with something in reserve, Sunday will demand that the players go full throttle.

Spurs are not without their problems mind you. Our forward line should be able to cause them quite the headache but it's our own defence or lack of it that will make hearts travel the full body length from chest to mouth, back to chest, then to feet.

Neither of Evans or Jones instills confidence to the neutral and yet they shall be asked to keep a three man backline free of breach. With a 3-5-2 system affording the opposition acres of space between the centre-halves, the likes of Eric Lamela and Eriksen could be in for some late Christmas presents.

Spurs like to play at pace, breaking forward in unison and so are there for the taking on the counter attack. The caveat for us though is Juan Mata's form away from home as he's vital to our counter-attack. If we're without Di Maria and Herrera for this one as well then we'll need him to turn up big time.

It will be interesting to see how LVG manages his quickest game in succession. No matter the changes in terms of personnel, the expectations remain. In terms of the bigger picture though, United need to sort out their away form. Another victory in London is a start,

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