DIER’S DUEL WITH ‘DIRTY’ HERRERA IS TO REIGNITE

ERIC DIER’S battle with Manchester United’s Ander Herrera could be a bit lively at Old Trafford this afternoon after the pair clashed during last month’s England friendly with Spain at Wembley.

The Tottenham midfielder chased Herrera to remonstrate after the Spaniard elbowed him in the face. Dier described the clash as ‘dirty’ and ‘ridiculous’.

He added: ‘I don’t need him to apologise. I’ll see him soon.’

Dier has since calmed down. ‘I was just joking,’ he claimed last week, but there could still be fireworks today.

The 22-year-old said: ‘Sometimes jokes with people don’t come across when written down and it comes across wrong. It’s been taken the wrong way but it’s OK, I don’t mind.’

Dier’s recent return to form has coincided with an upturn in fortunes for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in general.

October and November saw four consecutive Premier League draws plus defeat at Chelsea, as well as two Champions League losses.

But December has started with the five-goal thrashing of Swansea and a win over CSKA Moscow at Wembley that won Tottenham the consolation prize of Europa League football after the Christmas period.

United are also desperate to make some inroads in the title race after falling some way off the pace in recent weeks.

Jose Mourinho’s men are 13 points behind Arsenal going into today’s encounter.