Pochettino to prove why Solskjaer is merely keeping his seat warm at Old Trafford

Sunday’s big game in the Premier League is one packed with intrigue as Manchester United make the trip to Wembley (match preview).

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is aiming to become the first man in the club’s esteemed history to win his first six matches at the helm of the footballing giant, though the assumption is that he is still just keeping the Old Trafford hot seat warm for his successor.

There’s no question that it’s been an impressive start to life at the helm of the club where the Norwegian made his name, with some suggesting that the former United striker be given the job full time, but one man still looms large over his shoulder.

It has been reported for some time now - long before Jose Mourinho’s departure - that United have been weighing up an approach for Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Spurs boss has been asked of the rumours countless times and while he has always stated that his focus is on the task at hand, the Argentine has done little to ease fans fears that he would reject any such switch.

This, then, is perhaps Solskjaer’s ultimate audition. The Old Trafford hierarchy know what Pochettino can do after all, but it is unclear as to whether the current man at the helm has the credentials to lead the club forward, with the trip to Wembley representing his first major test.

While a look at the form of the two sides may suggest the visitors have the momentum, Tottenham have been mightily impressive stretching back to the end of October. In their last 18 matches Spurs have won 15, losing only to Arsenal and, more recently, Wolves. The other game in which they missed out on three points in that time they managed the all important one that they needed away at Barcelona.

Defensively, despite facing a number of injury problems, they’ve kept six clean sheets in their last eight. When you consider the only United player to score away at Spurs in almost six years is Wayne Rooney, doesn’t bode well for the away side.

That said, given the form of their attacking stars it would be somewhat of a surprise if the hosts kept another clean sheet this weekend, but the pace at which the Red Devils began life under Solskjaer is understandably slowing. Back-to-back 2-0 wins over Newcastle and Reading have been solid but unspectacular, and this will be a different proposition entirely.

Tottenham are unbeaten in six at home in this fixture and have won the last three, so odds over evens on a home win place too much consideration into Solskjaer’s initial impact in my book. A price of 2.20 on a Spurs victory is incentive enough to back Pochettino’s charges, but with United boasting the impressive record of having scored in every away game they have played in all competitions this season, there is reason to be a tad more ambitious.

Multiple bookmakers, including bet365 and Betfair, are offering a price of 3.60 on Tottenham to win and both teams to score and that’s our top tip for what should be a captivating clash in the capital.