TOTTENHAM AWAY IS A TEST OF UNITED'S GOOD FORM
Manchester United will return from the sun in Dubai later this week and aim to turn up the heat in the Premier League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds are on a winter break in the United Arab Emirates, preparing for the biggest examination yet of the Norwegian’s spell in charge.
United will return to the UK and be thrust into a league blockbuster against third-placed Spurs at Wembley next Sunday (16:30 GMT kick-off).
The Reds are six points shy of the coveted fourth-place Champions League slot in the division after four straight league wins against Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Bournemouth and Newcastle United under caretaker boss Solskjaer.
Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup third-round 2-0 triumph against Championship side Reading sent the Reds off for the training camp on the brink of a history-making start for Solskjaer.
If United can beat Tottenham in London, it will see Solskjaer become the first Old Trafford manager in the club’s history to win the first six matches as boss.
The cup success saw Solskjaer equal Sir Matt Busby’s post-War beginning in 1946-47, but Reds defender Phil Jones is remaining grounded.
“It is about momentum and we need to keep building that momentum, whoever we play. We are feeling good and we are feeling strong,” he said after beating Reading.
“Spurs is a good test. We are in good form and have some momentum going. We have steadied the ship a bit, if you like, and we need to keep going.
“We have not done anything yet, we have not achieved anything but we need to keep it going.
“Possibly, Spurs will be an indicator for us and how far we can go. It is a game we need to win. They are in good form and doing well and we need to have a good week, train well and prepare for a tough game.
“Hopefully, the momentum can carry us on to win that match
“Of course, we should be in the Champions League next season and that is the aim but we have done nothing yet and I know it is a cliche but it has to be game by game.
“I don’t really want to think about the top four, or the Champions League or the FA Cup, it has to be game by game. Tottenham is tough and we have to see where we are after that.”
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