Second takes on third in this weekend's early Premier League kickoff as Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur with only goal difference separating the two sides in the table.

Both clubs have amassed 20 points from their opening nine matches this season, leaving them five points adrift of leaders Manchester City but clear of the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in the race for the top four.

Victory for either side at Old Trafford would see them steal a march on their opponents in the title race, while defeat would leave the losers playing catch-up.

Here, Sports Mole selects a strongest combined XI from the two squads in a 4-2-3-1 formation, using only the players available for Saturday's contest.

GK: David de Gea

David de Gea would be an automatic pick in the vast majority of combined XIs with any team in the world, but against Tottenham Hotspur and Hugo Lloris it is a more difficult decision.

Both have established themselves amongst the world's best goalkeepers since moving to the Premier League, with spectacular stops becoming their trademarks at United and Tottenham respectively.

Lloris has boasted the best defensive record in each of the past two seasons, but De Gea gets the nod for this team having conceded just four times so far this term - the joint-fewest in the division.

RB: Antonio Valencia

A player who has made the right-back slot his own at Manchester United, Valencia holds off some stiff opposition to earn the spot in this combined XI as both Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier miss out.

The Ecuadorian international has started all nine of United's Premier League matches so far this season, with Phil Jones the only other ever-present in Jose Mourinho's backline.

Valencia's attacking contributions are as important as those at the back, though, and he already has one goal to his name this season.

CB: Toby Alderweireld

There is plenty of competition for the centre-back slots in this team, with the likes of Jones, Eric Bailly and Davinson Sanchez all missing out despite impressing for their respective clubs this season.

Alderweireld has also been in good form for Spurs, though, starting all nine of their Premier League matches and conceding just six goals in the process.

Spurs have boasted the best defence in the Premier League in each of the past two seasons, and Alderweireld has been instrumental in that alongside his Belgian centre-back partner Jan Vertonghen.

CB: Jan Vertonghen

Vertonghen has arguably been the most impressive of those vying for a centre-back spot in this team, with the Belgian providing experience and reliability at the back alongside Alderweireld.

Another ever-present for Mauricio Pochettino's side so far this term, Vertonghen has proven himself to be equally adept in a back four or in a back three, the latter of which allows him more opportunities to bring the ball out from defence.

The Belgian has helped Spurs to concede just six goals from their opening nine Premier League outings, with only the top two having conceded fewer so far this season.

LB: Ben Davies

Perhaps the easiest position to pick in this team, left-back has been something of a problem area for Manchester United while Spurs are spoilt for choice following the return to action of Danny Rose after a lengthy injury.

Rose will do well to win his position back from Ben Davies, though, with the Wales international having flourished since being given an extended run in the first team.

Davies has two goals and two assists to his name from six Premier League appearances already this season, proving himself to be as important going forward as he is defensively.

CM: Nemanja Matic

The decision to allow Nemanja Matic to join Manchester United will still have many Chelsea fans scratching their heads, with the defensive midfielder finding his best form again since his summer move to Old Trafford.

The 29-year-old has played every minute of United's Premier League campaign so far, with his presence in central midfield allowing those in front of him to go an express themselves in the final third.

With United currently missing the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba, Matic's importance to the team has increased further in recent weeks and he will need to be at his best to stop Tottenham's dangerous attacking midfielders on Saturday.

CM: Mousa Dembele

Narrowly edging teammate Eric Dier out of this team, Mousa Dembele has endured a frustrating start to the season with injuries limiting his time on the field so far.

The Belgian missed out against Liverpool last weekend, but he made a cameo appearance off the bench in the midweek EFL Cup defeat at the hands of West Ham United and should be available for Saturday's visit to Old Trafford.

Spurs are blessed with depth in that area of the field, but they have still missed the commanding presence of Dembele in the middle of the park and will be delighted to see him back playing regularly once his injury problems are behind him once and for all.

RAM: Christian Eriksen

Tottenham's creator-in-chief, Christian Eriksen has once again been on top form so far this season with three goals and two assists to his name from nine outings in the Premier League.

Working perfectly in tandem with the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane, Eriksen has formed a dangerous attacking partnership with his teammates and the number of different threats Spurs have in their side means that Eriksen often has more room to pull the strings.

Eriksen holds off competition from Juan Mata for a place in this side, with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford also unlucky to miss out having impressed during their time on the field so far this season.

CAM: Dele Alli

Arguably the brightest young talent in English football today - although Rashford may have something to say about that - it is easy to forget that Alli is still only 21 years old given how quickly he established himself as a crucial player for club and country.

The England international has perhaps not been at his very best so far this season, but he has still contributed three goals and an assist in nine Premier League appearances, in addition to a further two goals in the EFL Cup.

Alli operates best in a free role just behind the striker, and his presence in this lineup would allow him to regularly switch positions with Eriksen and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, both of whom are equally at home in the number 10 role.

LAM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Mkhitaryan began the season in blistering form with five assists from his opening three Premier League games and, while he has failed to add to that tally since, his creative talents remain crucial to United's style.

The Armenian scored his first Premier League goal of the campaign during last month's win over Everton and added another in the Champions League 10 days later, meaning that he has now directly contributed to seven goals in his 12 appearances across all competitions this term.

Mkhitaryan sat out last weekend's defeat to Huddersfield Town having hitherto started every league game this season, but he is expected to return to the lineup for the visit of Spurs.

CF: Romelu Lukaku

The injury to Harry Kane prevents us from having to make the most difficult choice of the lot in this lineup - Kane or Lukaku? Both have started the season in brilliant form, but with only players in contention for the weekend available for selection in this team, Lukaku leads the line by default.

The Belgian is certainly not a bad replacement for Kane having scored seven goals in nine Premier League games since his summer move to Old Trafford, and 10 in 12 matches across all competitions.

Lukaku is going through a mini-drought at the moment following his dream start to life at the club, but he remains second in the Premier League top-scorer list and will surely be back on the goal trail soon enough.