In one of the two early matches on Sunday, a rejuvenated Manchester United side rolls up to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City. United has found some much need confidence after that 4-0 thumping of QPR at Old Trafford last week and would be keen to keep that momentum going, while Leicester has impressed early in the season after their promotion and would hope to negotiate United’s challenge before a long set of favorable fixtures begins next week onwards.
TEAM NEWS:
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Lois Van Gaal’s injury concerns are slowly easing up with most of his players gradually getting back to fitness. Chris Smalling, who started the first two matches of the season before being subbed off midway through the match against Sunderland, is back to full fitness and will be available. Meanwhile United’s summer signing Luke Shaw is finally fit having made a bench appearance last time and a 45 minutes stint for the reserves and would be pushing for a start as well. With Van Gaal most likely to continue the 4-4-2 diamond deployed against QPR, either Smalling or Shaw is likely to replace Blackett, with Rojo moving to the centre alongside Jonny Evans to accommodate Shaw. Elsewhere, Rafael looks set to continue at right-back and David De Gea faces no competition below the bar.
In the middle of the park, Van Gaal would not even think of altering the Daley Blind- Angel Di Maria- Ander Herrera combo. With all three playing a significant part last time around, Van Gaal would be hoping that the trio stays fit and clicks consistently throughout the season. Van Gaal has Darren Fletcher and Anderson for cover, but is almost certain to not feature.
Upfront, Van Gaal has a tricky situation. Having stated that no one except the captain has a fixed spot in the side, Wayne Rooney is almost certain to start but it is to be seen which two among Juan Mata, Radamel Falcao and Robin Van Persie he will hand a starting berth. With Adnan Januzaj also in the mix, it is most likely that Van Gaal would start with Mata behind Rooney and Falcao, and give van Persie and Januzaj appearances off the bench.
Phil Jones, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard, James Wilson and Ashley Young all remain sidelined with various injuries, although there is positive news with Carrick now having returned to slight training.
LEICESTER CITY:
Leicester City would be high on confidence themselves having lost only one of their 4 matches so far, winning away against a fairly strong Stoke City last week. Nigel Pearson has very few injury concerns with only Matthew Upson still sidelined. Kasper Schmeichel missed out last time with an injury sustained during the international break but looks set to return below the bar. The Foxes’ second-choice shot stopper Ben Hamer was impressive against Stoke as well and might challenge Schmeichel for the glove.
At the back, Pearson has kept confidence in his back four of Wes Morgan, Liam Moore, Ritchie De Laet and Paul Konchesky since the start of the season and is likely to continue with them, although the late-summer arrival from QPR, Danny Simspon would be trying to push for a start at right-back.
Pearson has a wide range of options in midfield. In central midfield, Andy King and Dean Hammond have played the majority of minutes, but against Manchester United, Pearson might prefer the experience of Esteban Cambiasso and ex-United player Danny Drinkwater. He also has yet another ex-United central midfielder Matty James back in training after a long absence due to a injury.
The Foxes have plenty of options on the flanks as well. The impressive Riyad Mahrez has started all games so far on the right but his playing time has gradually fallen with every match and is likely to be challenged by Drinkwater and Marc Albrighton. On the other side, Jeffrey Schlupp has looked good as well and may manage to keep Anthony Knockaert on the bench.
Upfront, the in-form Leonardo Ulloa is certain to start and Pearson might be tempted to start with Jamie Vardy instead of David Nugent, after the latter has failed to the found the back of the net yet.
STYLE OF PLAY EXPECTED:
The match looks set to be a cracker. Manchester United could be devastating if everything falls in place, but the new lot of players is still gelling in and therefore the side hasn’t looked cohesive enough. Meanwhile, despite the absence of big names Leicester City has looked good as a unit and would hope to steal the points from their acclaimed opposition. The fact that there are as many as 7 ex-Manchester United players in the side including the on-loan Nick Powell will help The Foxes prepare better.
For Manchester United though, it is a must win match if they are to challenge for the title. With a 7 point gap already with Chelsea, United needs to take advantage of the relatively easier fixtures and gain momentum before having to face Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in the gap of 4 weeks from the end of October.
Expect Leicester to shock the away fans with an early goal, but United should see through with a spirited comeback.
Leicester City Vs Manchester United PREDICTED LINE-UPS:
LEICESTER (4-4-2): Schmeichel; De Laet- Morgan- Moore- Konchesky; Mahrez- Cambiasso- Drinkwater- Schlupp; Ulloa-Vardy.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-1-2): De Gea; Rafael- Evans- Rojo- Shaw; Blind- Herrera- Di Maria; Mata; Rooney- Van Persie.
KEY PLAYERS:
ANGEL DI MARIA (Manchester United)
The Argentine has looked extremely impressive since his arrival. Di Maria followed his impressive outing at Burnley with a goal and two assists in his home debut last week, and it seems that Di Maria would be The Red Devil’s driving force this season. His ability to score and create goals simultaneously will be a huge test of resolute for the Leicester backline.
LEONARDO ULLOA (Leicester City)
Another Argentine making his name ever since he arrived at Leicester earlier this summer is Ulloa. The tall striker looks tailor-made for the Premier League with three clinical finishes which has helped Leicester sit at 12th position in the table, unlike the other two promoted teams that are still struggling for goals. Ulloa with his exceptional aerial ability will likely be a constant threat to a shaky United backline still struggling to find its feet.
Leicester City Vs Manchester United PREDICTIONS:
Leicester City 1- 3 Manchester United