Leicester v Manchester United preview and team news
Manchester United are on the road once again, as they take on Leicester City at the King Power stadium on September 1st, for the first mid-week matchday of the Premier League season.
After being demolished by Brentford 4-0 in the second game, the Red Devils have returned to their winning ways with victories against Liverpool and Southampton. In the process, they also ended their worst away run since the 1930s.
Consistency on the pitch is the need of the hour for Manchester United as they rebuild with a new team and try to win their fans over once again. Erik Ten Hag has surely infused a greater work ethic in his side, as noted in the kilometres each of his players cover in matches.
They will want to put aside the last time the two sides met in the East Midlands, when Leicester thumped them 4-2.
The Foxes have not lost any of their previous four league outings against Manchester United, but none of that would matter at the moment as they sit bottom of the pile, in dire need of points.
Lack of incoming players in the transfer window, plenty of rumours around the future of Youri Tielemans, James Maddison and of course, Wesley Fofana has provoked serious unrest within the club.
Brendan Rodgers’ side failed to put 10-man Chelsea to the sword at Stamford Bridge, making it three defeats in as many games. Leicester have conceded 10 goals already, with main man Jamie Vardy – who put pen to paper to extend his contract until 2024 – yet to find the back of the net.
They will really want the King Power crowd to get behind the players and churn out a result.
Leicester City
The biggest miss for the Foxes will be James Maddison, who has had a hand in goal in all the matches he has featured.
Wesley Fofana is already on his way to the United States to complete his medical ahead of a move to Chelsea. With a serious lack of depth, it’ll be interesting to see what changes Rodgers induces.
Kelechi Iheanacho enjoyed a lively cameo against Chelsea. Could he get the nod over goalless Jamie Vardy?
Manchester United
Erik Ten Hag could rest Raphael Varane as he only recently returned from a time on the sidelines. Anthony Martial remains injured for Manchester United.
Meanwhile, questions over Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability and future have been making headlines of late. It’s hard to see Ten Hag tweak a winning combination, since he would prefer fostering that habit – something that has been hard to come by at United since the turn of the year.
Casemiro could also be in line for his maiden start.
Predicted line-ups
Leicester City (4-1-4-1)
Danny Ward; James Justin, Jonny Evans, Daniel Amartey, Timothy Castagne; Wilfred Ndidi; Ayoze Perez, Youri Tielemans, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Harvey Barnes; Jamie Vardy
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia; Fred, Casemiro; Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga; Marcus Rashford
Match Prediction
This game could swing either way. Both sides have the flair and can produce breath-taking sequences of attacks, however, this one will be won by the team that outwits the other on defence.
Leicester are in desperate need of a win, meaning they’ll have to start well and win battles in the middle of the pitch. The key for them will be to outnumber the opposition and choke them in central areas. Expect Manchester United to be suffocated by a more disciplined Leicester side, implying this game could end with both clubs sharing the spoils.
Leicester City 1-1 Manchester United
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak