Tottenham handed ‘big’ boost ahead of Man United clash today – pundit

Noel Whelan has insisted Tottenham have given themselves a major boost ahead of Saturday’s clash against Manchester United after beating Burnley.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Lilywhites would be buoyed by victory at Turf Moor.

A header from Lucas Moura sealed a 1-0 win for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men in the League Cup match.

The victory followed two successive 1-0 defeats to Vitesse Arnhem and West Ham.

In contrast, Manchester United are still licking the wounds from last weekend’s 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool.

Whelan admitted Spurs’ performance against Burnley left plenty to be desired.

However, he insisted a hard-fought win would give the Lilywhites a much needed shot in the arm.

Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It’s a win. It’s not a convincing win, but then again, when is any game at Burnley an easy game?

“Sean Dyche’s side are very honest, hard-working, disciplined and organised. You know what you’re going to get from them. There’s no way that Sean Dyche would accept anything less so.

“It’s a win. It’s a ground out win, which is probably what you get when you go to Turf Moor.

“Any win gives you confidence and winning breeds winning, especially going into a game against Manchester United. I think this is big for both clubs.

“Both managers could really do with with a good performance, more so Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer).

“This is a good opportunity to maybe hurt a team like Manchester United who are lacking in confidence and belief in themselves right now.

Tottenham

“Two managers that really could do with something out of the game. You can see it being a draw, that’s for sure. I’m not sure who I’d rather be in the dugout right now.

“I think probably the Tottenham manager, off the back of a win, rather than off the back of an embarrassing 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool at Old Trafford.”

In other news, pundit tips Tottenham to “make waves” in January after Levy U-turn.