Manchester United vs Leicester City: The Preview

For the final time, Manchester United interim manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy will lead the Reds out at Old Trafford as they host Leicester City in Premier League action. We come into the game off the back of our 2-0 win against PAOK Salonika on Thursday evening. Whist our opponents salvaged a point with a last minute equaliser against Ipswich Town last weekend.

With new manager Ruben Amorim set to start the day after this game, he will have no doubt been watching our last game against PAOK. United initially struggled to break down the Greek side in the first half. Amad Diallo’s looping header found the net before he cut inside to fire the ball into the far corner to double the Reds lead in the second half.

The win extended Van Nistelrooy’s unbeaten run as interim manager and also secured our first win in the Europa League at the fourth time of asking. Now our focus turns to Premier League matters.

Last time out, United had to settle for a point against Chelsea after Moises Caicedo volley cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’s penalty. We currently sit in 13th place in the league and are mathematically closer to the top four than the relegation zone.

We have only won one from our last six Premier League games which shows that Ruben Amorim will need time to turn around our fortunes especially on the goal front having only scored nine times in the top flight this season, our lowest since the 1973/74 season.

Manchester United Team News

For United, Amad Diallo took a knock late on in the game against PAOK and could now be a doubt for the visit of Leicester, which indicated he was set to be in the starting eleven again. He is joined in the treatment room by Harry Maguire (calf), Kobbie Mainoo (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (knee).

Both Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro have returned to training with the rest of the squad though are still a couple of weeks away from full fitness. Marcus Rashford could step in the place of Diallo if he does not prove fit. Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt will likely return to the centre of the defence replacing Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans from Thursday night.

Manchester United Possible Lineup

Onana; 

Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui; 

Casemiro, Ugarte; 

Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; 

Hojlund 

Opposition Preview

Last time out Leicester City did not think it was going to be their day at Ipswich Town as the Tractor Boys were leading into injury time. Jordan Ayew was to come to the rescue for the Foxes who had linked up with Jamie Vardy to slot home the equaliser to salvage a point to end their two game losing run across all competitions.

With Ipswich Town and Southampton fighting to keep out of the relegation zone, the Foxes have solidified themselves in the slightly comfortable spot of 15th in the table. They are four points clear of the drop, whilst only two points behind United. If Leicester were to pull off the victory, they would leapfrog the Reds.

Goals should come from both sides as the visitors have scored and conceded in all of their five Premier League away games so far this season. The same could be said of the League Cup fixture between the sides back on October 30th, it was Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s men who scored five goals to Leicester’s two.

Leicester City Team News

The Foxes came out unscathed from the last fixture away at Ipswich. There is a possibility that long term absentee Patson Daka could make his return along with Bobby Decordova-Reid who had suffered a nasty cut during the league cup defeat at the hands of United.

Hamza Choudhury could potentially return after Leicester decided against treating his shoulder problem surgically and letting it heal by itself. Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle) might be the only absentee for the visitors this weekend.

Jordan Ayew’s injury time equaliser may be enough to see him return to the starting eleven for the visit to Old Trafford. He will be facing competition from Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi. Jamie Vardy is expected to feature up front as he will look to add to his six goals from 18 games against the Reds.

Form Guide

Manchester United Premier League form: LDWLD

Manchester United form (all competitions): DLWDW

Leicester City Premier League form: LWWLD

Leicester City form (all competitions): WWLLD

Prediction

United have already scored a victory over Leicester when they dumped them out of the League Cup. Our opponents will come to Old Trafford to frustrate us. The Reds can exploit the weaknesses of the Foxes defence meaning Ruud Van Nistelrooy will be able to go out on high before Ruben Amorim takes the reins at the club on Monday. 

Manchester United 3-1 Leicester City