For Ruud van Nistelrooy, Sunday’s clash against Leicester City at Old Trafford is his fourth and last game as interim manager of Manchester United. With the Red Devils seeking to hand over the reins to Ruben Amorim following the international break, they will be gunning for a high-intensity Premier League display to add to the recent 2-0 Europa League success over PAOK. Here’s what is in store in this mouthwatering clash.
Match Preview
Manchester United heads into this one full of confidence after a Europa League win inspired by an Amad Diallo double against PAOK, extending Van Nistelrooy’s unbeaten caretaker run to three games, although that poor domestic form has kept United 13th in the league. That is a boost the Red Devils need, given their record of just one win from the last six Premier League games, and their nine goals so far this season being the lowest since 1973-74.
Leicester City, on the other hand, drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town, salvaging a last-minute equaliser to bring their two-game losing run to an end. Sitting 15th in the table, Steve Cooper’s men are only two points adrift of United. Leicester will jump above their hosts with a win at Old Trafford and, with the Foxes scoring and conceding in all five of their away matches this term, this game has goals galore written all over it.
Recent Form
Manchester United Premier League Form: DLDWLD
Manchester United Form (All Competitions): WDLWDW
Leicester City Premier League Form: DLWWLD
Leicester City Form (All Competitions): LWWLLD
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Manchester United
The starring role against PAOK for Amad Diallo came with a minor setback as he picked up a knock that could rule him out. Alongside him are Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, and Leny Yoro, with the latter returning back to training. Marcus Rashford will no doubt start, while Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt should return to central defense as Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 awaits.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup: Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Ugarte; Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Leicester City
Leicester emerged with no casualties from their draw with Ipswich, and there is optimism about the fitness front for long-term casualty Patson Daka. Midfielder Hamza Choudhury is also available while Jakub Stolarczyk remains out. Jordan Ayew’s late equalizer against Ipswich could put him in contention for a start, but he has Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi for company.
Predicted Leicester City Lineup: Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks; Fatawu, Buonanotte, Ayew; Vardy
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City
Despite their big EFL Cup win over Leicester, United’s Premier League struggles suggest a tighter affair. Leicester may look to disrupt United’s play, but defensive weaknesses on the road could be their undoing. Expect United to edge this contest as Van Nistelrooy wraps up his interim tenure on a high.
