Le Tiss' combined XI Manchester United v Tottenham

We challenged Matt Le Tissier to pick his best XI from Manchester United and Tottenham ahead of their Saturday showdown, live on Sky Sports Premier League.

The visitors will arrive at Old Trafford level on points and only behind their second-placed hosts on goal difference, having closed the gap with a 4-1 dismantling of Liverpool after Jose Mourinho's side suffered a shock 2-1 loss at Huddersfield.

Southampton legend Le Tiss clearly rates Spurs' side as the stronger of the two ahead of their contest, naming just four United players in this team..

Based on both squads being fully fit, here's his line-up in full...

Explaining his selections, Le Tissier said: "For me, David de Gea is out on his own as the best Premier League goalkeeper, with Hugo Lloris and Thibaut Courtois in the next tier. De Gea is challenging to be the best in the world with Manuel Neuer.

"At right-back I'm going with Kieran Trippier for one reason and that is quality of delivery in the final third. Antonio Valencia frustrates me with the way he thinks he can cross through people, smashing the ball with his head down.

"United have had a problem at left-back whereas Tottenham have two good options and, assuming everybody is fully fit, my top pick would be Danny Rose.

Toby Alderweireld has established himself as a key Spurs man

"Then Toby Alderweireld has been one of the most consistent and best centre-backs in the the league for several years and Jan Vertonghen has improved again this season, although it is close between him and Eric Bailly.

"Picking my holding midfielders was the toughest part of this team. It is between Nemanja Matic, Victor Wanyama and, to get another decent player in the team Paul Pogba, although I would prefer him further forward. I'm also a big fan of Mousa Dembele.

"I'm going to play Pogba in there, but in there alongside Matic, just over Wanyama, because of his experience. Both are brilliant in that holding position and Wanyama has improved so much since he came down from Celtic.

Marcus Rashford's pace is a huge asset, says Le Tiss

"Picking the three in behind my striker is also tough. I have to include Marcus Rashford because of his pace and versatility. I just think he's a bit more positive and has better dribbling ability than the Spurs players in those positions.

"I'm a big fan of Christian Eriksen. He's a really clever footballer, sees a pass better than most people and he's not too bad at free-kicks either. Then Dele Alli then gets in there as his goals return from last season warrants a place.

"Harry Kane has to be my striker. Romelu Lukaku has had a cracking start and the two of them are excellent players but I just think Kane's form at the moment and over a longer period of time justifies him getting the nod.

"However, I don't really go with the idea that Lukaku can't score in big games. For me it is more about the amount of chances created for him. Their games against Liverpool are a good example, with Kane having seven shots, scoring twice, whereas Lukaku had just the one effort.

"He's unlucky not to get in there, as is Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Bailly and Valencia were close, but these are two very good sides and I think it will be a really tight encounter on Saturday."

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