Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur

Rocha is off for Didier Zokora.

Van der Saar punches Bale's corner away. The ball eventually finds Huddlestone who flicks it through to Gardner in the United penalty area. He seems reluctant to shoot though and United pounce on his indecision to mop up the danger.

Berbatov loses the ball but wins a corner off Vidic.

Wonderful skill from Berbatov to fool both Fletcher and Brown. He then curls an effort an inch shy of Van der Saar's bar from fifteen yards. Almost a beauty from the Spurs man.

The free-kick is played short to Taarabt but Darren Fletcher gets involved immediately to block his drive before it gets out of first gear.

Carlos Tevez comes off for Darren Fletcher.

A rather theatrical dive from Taarabt as he showed good feet to get round a couple of challenges. Spurs have a free-kick just to the left of the United penalty area.

Spurs are bringing on Jermaine Defoe and Adel Taarabt, with Keane and Lee making way.

Good pass from Giggs slices through the Spurs defence but Chimbonda is again on hand to cut out the ball as Carlos Tevez chased it.

The goal seemed to deflect off the shoulder of Tevez but the Argentinian is unlikely to make a claim on what was a magnificent strike from Nani.

Dimitar Berbatov has been booked for persistent complaints about the two Spurs penalty shouts.

GOAL: Nani has hit an absolute screamer from thirty yards. A moment of genius from the youngster. He receives the ball with his back to goal, looks up, takes aim and hits a swerving shot with the outside of his boot high in to Paul Robinson's net. Great goal.

At the other end, it's Spurs turn to get bodies back as Tevez's shot is cleared off the goal-line by Jermaine Jenas. An exhilirating passage of end-to-end football.

Berbatov again has got in to a great position and his improvised shot seems to strike Wes Brown on the arm before hitting his chest. Spurs scream for a penalty which they don't get.

A terrible pass from Vidic gifts possession to Bale. He races towards the United penalty area beofre slipping the ball to Berbatov. Vidic then seems to impede the Bulgarian striker who shouts for a penalty. The ball trickles past Van der Saar though and seems to be going in but Ferdinand has sprinted back to make a last-ditch goal-line clearance.

The United fans have finally found their voice and are roraring their team forwards. Nani wins a free-kick for the home side after Huddlestone scythes him down and is booked for his trouble.

Van der Saar flaps somewhat at the corner but the ball is now with United. They break, and Chimbonda has to put in another great tackle to deny Nani.

Ferdinand makes a complete hash of an interception and Huddlestone takes it off him. Ferdinand makes some sort of amends by rushing back and conceding a corner. Poor defending again from the ex-West Ham man.

Chris Eagles is on for Michael Carrick.

When the free-kick comes in Rocha has a free header on goal but holds his head in his hands as he knocks it wide of the post. A great chance.

Nani puts in a forward's challenge on the craftily waiting Chimbonda who seemed to sense the tackle would come in.

A poor pass back from Carrick puts Wes Brown in trouble and he is forced to make a lunging challege on Huddlestone which nets him a yellow card. 'Cheers MATE', the United right-back mutters in the direction of Carrick.

Tevez fails to control a straightforward pass and allows it to slip under his foot. United have started the second half in the same nervous manner they did the first.

Huddlestone's shot from the edge of the area dips just over the United crossbar.

The United bench does not exactly boast a wealth of goal-scoring talent to call upon if required -Darren Fletcher, Chris Eagles, John O'Shea and Fangzhou Dong won't inspire dread in the Spurs backline.

Malbranque has fallen awkwardly after colliding with Evra and he seems to have hurt his back. The sight of the warming-up Didier Zokora eyeing him hopefully has the desired effect though and the Frenchman is soon on his feet.

United have a corner after Bale's challenge but Jermaine Jenas rises highest to head it away.

United resume the game and will be looking for a lively start.

HALF-TIME: If points were awarded for striking woodwork then Spurs would be ahead here. Of course, they aren't. It's far from a vintage display from the home team and a stern talking to is likely during the interval. Spurs will be well pleased with things so far though. More of the same, will be Martin Jol's message.

Hargreaves now snaps at the ball from distance but his effort is always curling wide of Robinson's left hand post.

Chimbonda makes another superb challenge, this time on Evra as he bore down on the Spurs goal. It's a corner though and Evra again has a go, this time from long range. It's about four feet wide though and Spurs look like they will make it to half-time on level terms.

Rocha goes flying in to the back of Nani and both of them seem to have hurt themselves in the process. Both rise to their feet eventually though and play is resumed.

Giggs sprints back in chase of Lee and makes a genuine attempt to tackle the Spurs full-back. Not so, says Mr Webb who brandishes a yellow card in the direction of the Welshman.

Hargreaves gives the ball away cheaply and is fortunate to get it back almost immediately. He follows up his poor pass with a shot which does nothing to trouble Robinson.

Nani turns on the Spurs eighteen yard line to find some space but his shot is as wide as it is low.

Malbranque takes the ball off Evra with relative ease but rushes his pass towards Berbatov who is on his own up front and doesn't have the legs to reach it.

Lee's clearance is hit straight against Scholes and finds it's way back to Robinson.

Fine challenge on Tevez by Chimbonda.

Huddleston shimmies inside Hargreaves but delivers a weak shot on the edge of the United area which limps lamely out of play.

Good strong challenge on Chimbonda by Vidic. The Spurs full-back has been a menance down the right flank with his foraging runs forward.

Robinson scampers from his goal to stop the ball heading behind for a corner.

Tevez can't quite control a long ball from the back by Brown and Robinson reads the bounce well to take it.

Giggs plays a great pass in to the Spurs penalty area and Scholes gets to it first. He's eight yards out but can't get over the ball, which dips over Robinson's crossbar.

Robinson gets a pair of good fists to the corner but United have encircled the Spurs penalty area. A stray pass relieves some of the pressure on Spurs as it goes out for a goal-kick.

Carrick hits a rasping low shot from twenty-five yards which clips the outstretched boot of Malbranque for a corner.

United are enjoying their first period of sustained pressure. The crowd sense they are in the ascendancy and urge them forwards. Ferdinand picks out Tevez who wins a throw deep in Spurs territory.

At the other end, Paul Robinson makes a great save from a shot by Ferdinand. That was United's first real opening of the game.

Keane improvises a pass towards Berbatov which Ferdinand should have blocked. He doesn't and his error allows Berbatov a sight of goal. It's not a clear one though and United manage to get back and block his effort.

Great tackle from Evra on Berbatov and he follows it up with a cheeky little flicked pass much to the appreciation of the home support.

Nani takes down Lee and Spurs have a free-kick on the left side of the pitch. Huddlestone delivers it and again Chimbonda gets his head to it. When the ball drops to Rocha fifteen yards from goal, he has three United men on him immediately and skies his shot well over.

When it comes in, Chimbonda is unmarked and gets his head to it. It's just wide though and United will be grateful for the goal-kick.

Gareth Bale spints the whole length of Old Trafford and is rewarded with a corner kick after Ferdinand comes across to challenge him.

Decent cross in from Nani towards the far post where Giggs is lurking. It's a tight angle thogh and Giggs doesn't connect well with the ball. Spurs clear it.

Another careless pass from United, this time from Carrick who hits his crossfield pass out of play.

Great bit of control by Paul Scholes in the middle but his pass towards Nani is over-hit and bounces out of play.

A lovely floated ball from Carrick almost finds the speedy Tevez but Robinson beats him to it.

It's been a shaky start by the champions, as they lose possession and seem unable to find their rhythm. Spurs are playing with much more confidence.

Evra penalised by referee Howard Webb for an over enthusiastic challenge.

Ryan Giggs hits a shot that almost clears the top tier behind Paul Robinson's goal.

Bale hits two poor crosses in to the United box which are cleared with ease by the head of Rio Ferdinand.

Spurs get us underway attacking the Stretford End. Berbatov lays it off to Keane and the Irishman hits a wonderful curling effort which flights over Van der Saar, clipping the crossbar as it beats him. Twenty seconds gone and Spurs almost make a dream start.

United start with Tevez, Nani and Giggs leading a three-pronged attack. There's no place on the bench for Louis Saha, who has just recovered from injury. Spurs give Gareth Bale a nice easy debut and Steed Malbranque will switch on to the right wing to accomodate the youngster. Berbatov and Keane are sure to pose Manchester United's defence a problem.

United will have been stung by their poor start and know that if they fail to win today they will remain in the bottom three. The portents aren't good for Tottenham. They've never won at Old Trafford in the Premiership.

If the tabloid reports are to be believed (please stifle laughter to a dull roar) then Martin Jol has three games to save his job. A win at Old Trafford today would certainly see his stock rise in the Spurs boardroom.

The United fans have finally found their voice and are roraring their team forwards. Nani wins a free-kick for the home side after Huddlestone scythes him down and is booked for his trouble.

Van der Saar flaps somewhat at the corner but the ball is now with United. They break, and Chimbonda has to put in another great tackle to deny Nani.

Ferdinand makes a complete hash of an interception and Huddlestone takes it off him. Ferdinand makes some sort of amends by rushing back and conceding a corner. Poor defending again from the ex-West Ham man.

Chris Eagles is on for Michael Carrick.

When the free-kick comes in Rocha has a free header on goal but holds his head in his hands as he knocks it wide of the post. A great chance.

Nani puts in a forward's challenge on the craftily waiting Chimbonda who seemed to sense the tackle would come in.

A poor pass back from Carrick puts Wes Brown in trouble and he is forced to make a lunging challege on Huddlestone which nets him a yellow card. 'Cheers MATE', the United right-back mutters in the direction of Carrick.

Tevez fails to control a straightforward pass and allows it to slip under his foot. United have started the second half in the same nervous manner they did the first.

Huddlestone's shot from the edge of the area dips just over the United crossbar.

The United bench does not exactly boast a wealth of goal-scoring talent to call upon if required -Darren Fletcher, Chris Eagles, John O'Shea and Fangzhou Dong won't inspire dread in the Spurs backline.

Malbranque has fallen awkwardly after colliding with Evra and he seems to have hurt his back. The sight of the warming-up Didier Zokora eyeing him hopefully has the desired effect though and the Frenchman is soon on his feet.

United have a corner after Bale's challenge but Jermaine Jenas rises highest to head it away.

United resume the game and will be looking for a lively start.

HALF-TIME: If points were awarded for striking woodwork then Spurs would be ahead here. Of course, they aren't. It's far from a vintage display from the home team and a stern talking to is likely during the interval. Spurs will be well pleased with things so far though. More of the same, will be Martin Jol's message.

Hargreaves now snaps at the ball from distance but his effort is always curling wide of Robinson's left hand post.

Chimbonda makes another superb challenge, this time on Evra as he bore down on the Spurs goal. It's a corner though and Evra again has a go, this time from long range. It's about four feet wide though and Spurs look like they will make it to half-time on level terms.

Rocha goes flying in to the back of Nani and both of them seem to have hurt themselves in the process. Both rise to their feet eventually though and play is resumed.

Giggs sprints back in chase of Lee and makes a genuine attempt to tackle the Spurs full-back. Not so, says Mr Webb who brandishes a yellow card in the direction of the Welshman.

Hargreaves gives the ball away cheaply and is fortunate to get it back almost immediately. He follows up his poor pass with a shot which does nothing to trouble Robinson.

Nani turns on the Spurs eighteen yard line to find some space but his shot is as wide as it is low.

Malbranque takes the ball off Evra with relative ease but rushes his pass towards Berbatov who is on his own up front and doesn't have the legs to reach it.

Lee's clearance is hit straight against Scholes and finds it's way back to Robinson.

Fine challenge on Tevez by Chimbonda.

Huddleston shimmies inside Hargreaves but delivers a weak shot on the edge of the United area which limps lamely out of play.

Good strong challenge on Chimbonda by Vidic. The Spurs full-back has been a menance down the right flank with his foraging runs forward.

Robinson scampers from his goal to stop the ball heading behind for a corner.

Tevez can't quite control a long ball from the back by Brown and Robinson reads the bounce well to take it.

Giggs plays a great pass in to the Spurs penalty area and Scholes gets to it first. He's eight yards out but can't get over the ball, which dips over Robinson's crossbar.

Robinson gets a pair of good fists to the corner but United have encircled the Spurs penalty area. A stray pass relieves some of the pressure on Spurs as it goes out for a goal-kick.

Carrick hits a rasping low shot from twenty-five yards which clips the outstretched boot of Malbranque for a corner.

United are enjoying their first period of sustained pressure. The crowd sense they are in the ascendancy and urge them forwards. Ferdinand picks out Tevez who wins a throw deep in Spurs territory.

At the other end, Paul Robinson makes a great save from a shot by Ferdinand. That was United's first real opening of the game.

Keane improvises a pass towards Berbatov which Ferdinand should have blocked. He doesn't and his error allows Berbatov a sight of goal. It's not a clear one though and United manage to get back and block his effort.

Great tackle from Evra on Berbatov and he follows it up with a cheeky little flicked pass much to the appreciation of the home support.

Nani takes down Lee and Spurs have a free-kick on the left side of the pitch. Huddlestone delivers it and again Chimbonda gets his head to it. When the ball drops to Rocha fifteen yards from goal, he has three United men on him immediately and skies his shot well over.

When it comes in, Chimbonda is unmarked and gets his head to it. It's just wide though and United will be grateful for the goal-kick.

Gareth Bale spints the whole length of Old Trafford and is rewarded with a corner kick after Ferdinand comes across to challenge him.

Decent cross in from Nani towards the far post where Giggs is lurking. It's a tight angle thogh and Giggs doesn't connect well with the ball. Spurs clear it.

Another careless pass from United, this time from Carrick who hits his crossfield pass out of play.

Great bit of control by Paul Scholes in the middle but his pass towards Nani is over-hit and bounces out of play.

A lovely floated ball from Carrick almost finds the speedy Tevez but Robinson beats him to it.

It's been a shaky start by the champions, as they lose possession and seem unable to find their rhythm. Spurs are playing with much more confidence.

Evra penalised by referee Howard Webb for an over enthusiastic challenge.

Ryan Giggs hits a shot that almost clears the top tier behind Paul Robinson's goal.

Bale hits two poor crosses in to the United box which are cleared with ease by the head of Rio Ferdinand.

Spurs get us underway attacking the Stretford End. Berbatov lays it off to Keane and the Irishman hits a wonderful curling effort which flights over Van der Saar, clipping the crossbar as it beats him. Twenty seconds gone and Spurs almost make a dream start.

United start with Tevez, Nani and Giggs leading a three-pronged attack. There's no place on the bench for Louis Saha, who has just recovered from injury. Spurs give Gareth Bale a nice easy debut and Steed Malbranque will switch on to the right wing to accomodate the youngster. Berbatov and Keane are sure to pose Manchester United's defence a problem.

United will have been stung by their poor start and know that if they fail to win today they will remain in the bottom three. The portents aren't good for Tottenham. They've never won at Old Trafford in the Premiership.

If the tabloid reports are to be believed (please stifle laughter to a dull roar) then Martin Jol has three games to save his job. A win at Old Trafford today would certainly see his stock rise in the Spurs boardroom.