This Sunday Manchester United travel to Elland Road for the first time with fans in the ground since Leeds United’s return to the Premier League. Let’s have a look at what we might expect from this mouthwatering clash.
Opposition
Leeds come into this match with some pretty poor form. In their last six matches they have registered three wins, one draw and two losses. Marcelo Bielsa currently has his team sat 15th in the league. However, considering the long-term injuries to key players such as Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips this isn’t terrible and they should stay in the top division come next season. We know how this Leeds team will play, with blistering pace and energy. However with plenty of spaces for Manchester United to exploit. That is why we have seen some of those high score lines in recent times, the 5-1 at the start of this season and the 6-2 win last season. Hopefully, the Red Devils can recreate that kind of result on Sunday.
Bielsa has tended to favour the 4-2-3-1 formation, starting with Illan Meslier in goal. A centre-back partnership of Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente. With Junior Firpo at left-back and Luke Ayling on the right. The two deeper midfield players will most likely be Robin Koch and Adam Forshaw. I think we could Jack Harrison on the left, Rodrigo in the number 10 and danger-man Raphina on the right wing. Up top we will most likely see Dan James start for the first time against his old club since joining Leeds from Manchester United in the summer.
Manchester United
After an unconvincing performance but all important win against Brighton in midweek. Manchester United currently sit at 4th in the league. But with teams behind us having games in hand and the tough run of fixtures that we face in March. We need to be walking away with three points here. That isn’t even taking into account the rivalry and borderline hatred that exists between these two teams. With this being the first time fans are back in Elland Road for a game against Manchester United. It’s no doubt going to be an extremely hostile environment. Hopefully, the Rangnick and his team can silence the home fans with a big performance and convincing win.
Line-up
With that in mind, I would expect Rangnick to stick with the 4-3-3 formation, obviously starting with David de Gea in goal. After missing the Brighton game because of an illness, Raphael Varane should be fit to return to the starting XI. After rumours surrounding the captaincy, and Ralf publicly backing him, I would expect to see Maguire partnering Varane. Although I would prefer to see Lindelöf here particularly with the pace of the Leeds attack. I think we will see the return of Alex Telles after some mediocre-at-best performances from Luke Shaw. And Diogo Dalot looks set to maintain his hold on the right-back position.
In the midfield I think we will see the return of McTominay, Pogba and Bruno. After Fred looked poor midweek against Brighton. I don’t think he will deviate from the midfield that has looked sharp going forwards. Particularly when we consider the spaces and opportunities that we will get facing this Leeds team. The creativity in this midfield will be just what is needed to create enough chances to win this match. As for the front three, I expect to see Jadon Sancho on the right wing. I am going for Anthony Elanga on the left, with one eye on the midweek Champions League game to rest Marcus Rashford ready for Atletico Madrid. And then up top, I think at this point it has to be Cristiano Ronaldo.
Prediction
This game could be very open and very end-to-end. We’ve seen high score lines in the fixture in the past and I don’t expect to see much of a difference here. That being said, United have been struggling to finish their chances of late. With that in mind, I am going for a 3-1 Manchester United win. Let’s see goals from Ronaldo, Bruno and Sancho. I still cannot see us keeping a clean sheet, just with the pace and threat that players like Raphina possess.