Man Utd v Spurs: Who makes a combined XI for the top four rivals?

Here, Flashscore has put together a combined XI based on their performances so far this season.

As they have performed better over the course of the campaign so far, Spurs' favoured 3-4-3 formation will be used.

*Selection based on the 2022/23 season

GK - Hugo Lloris (35)

The first major decision comes in between the sticks, with two Premier League veterans to choose from in David de Gea (31) and Hugo Lloris. Both goalkeepers have been in the division for over a decade, making 732 appearances between them.

This season, de Gea has had a lot of criticism for his performances while Lloris is still going strong for Spurs, keeping four clean sheets in 10 games. His Spanish counterpart has kept one less with three, and has been particularly singled out for criticism over his distribution.

RCB - Cristian Romero (24)

One of the hardest choices in this eleven was between Romero and Raphael Varane (29). Both have performed exceptionally well when called upon, and both are vitally important to their respective sides.

Either could have made the selection, but Romero just gets in. The Argentine has established himself as one of the best defenders in the league over the last year and continues to improve with every game he plays.

CB - Eric Dier (28)

Dier is one player who has rapidly improved over the last year, and he has carried this form into the current season. The Englishman has played every minute in the league so far this campaign, with his performances earning him a much-deserved recall to the national team. It's expected that he will be selected in England's World Cup squad on Thursday.

His form has been key to Spurs only losing one game domestically so far, and Antonio Conte will no doubt look to call upon Dier throughout the remainder of the campaign.

LCB - Lisandro Martinez (24)

Another defender who has defied expectations as the season has gone on. Martinez was brought in by Erik ten Hag in the summer but his arrival came with some questions, particularly over his size and if he could cope in the Premier League. The Argentine has quickly squashed those doubts, and has been one of United's most consistent performers.

He has formed a strong partnership with Varane, which appears to grow stronger with every game. He also shares a spot in the national team with Romero, which bodes well for Argentina going into the World Cup.

RWB - Diogo Dalot (23)

Unfortunately for Spurs, Djed Spence (22) and Matt Doherty (30) have been unable to consistently get into the side, and Emerson Royal (23) has struggled for consistency throughout the season. United, on the other hand, have had Dalot dramatically improve over the course of the campaign.

The Portugese full-back has been on good form for a while now and has held his own in an evolving Manchester United side.

CM - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (27)

The Danish midfielder has been underrated by outsiders for some time now but has been a key performer for Spurs this season. Hojbjerg has started every game in the league and has only been substituted once, helping to sure up a steely and physical Tottenham midfield.

Couple that with the huge transition United's midfield has been going through, and it's hard not to include the former Bayern Munich man.

CM - Christian Eriksen (30)

Although harsh on Rodrigo Bentancur (25) who has also been excellent alongside Hojbjerg, it's hard to ignore the impact Eriksen has made on United's performances. The former Spurs midfielder has improved as the season has gone on, and has been key to adding balance to ten Hag's side.

He has provided two assists despite playing in a deeper role than usual and has been a key factor in United's rise up the table.

LWB - Ivan Perisic (33)

Neither club have really had a settled left-sided full-back this season, with Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon (22) being rotated for Spurs and the same happening with Luke Shaw (27) and Tyrell Malacia (23) at United.

Of the four, Perisic has been the standout by providing three assists and offering a fresh creative outlet for Conte's side.

RW - Dejan Kulusevski (22)

The right side of the front three is another position in the side that has a number of solid contenders. Both Kulusevski and Richarlison (25) have been solid for Spurs but struggled with injury, while Antony (22) looks like an exciting addition for United but has only featured in a handful of games.

Kulusevski has been given the nod here, with the Swede contributing a goal and three assists while adding another dimension to Spurs' attacking play, although it's difficult to judge given the two Brazilians haven't featured a lot.

ST - Harry Kane (29)

There can be little argument for the inclusion of Kane, who is one of the best strikers in the world right now. If it wasn't for Erling Haaland, a lot more would have been made of the Englishman's ten-goal contributions in ten league games (9G 1A).

The striker is also on his best-ever scoring run, netting five in his last five Premier League matches. United have very little competition for Kane due to heavily rotating their strikers, although a resurgent Cristiano Ronaldo (37) may soon have something to say about that.

LW - Marcus Rashford (24)

Just like on the other side of the front three, there isn't a lot separating the players on the left wing. Rashford has dramatically improved this season compared to his performances in the last campaign, netting three goals and getting two assists while also being nominated as the Premier League player of the month for September.

Heung-min Son (30) has gone in the other direction, underperforming by his usual standards. His only goals in the league came in the form of a hat-trick against Leicester but aside from that, he has struggled in front of goal. Although a victim of his own high standards, Son's inconsistent form means Rashford pips him to a spot in the side.

Combined XI: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Martinez, Dalot, Hojbjerg, Eriksen, Perisic, Kulusevski, Kane, Rashford