By Karl Matchett
The Foxes visited Outdated Trafford within the Carabao Cup a couple of weeks in the past and the Purple Devils managed to shrug off the long-overdue exit of Erik ten Hag with a win; that fixture sparked a three-game unbeaten run up to now and Van Nistelrooy will probably be desperate to log out by making it 4, forward of Rúben Amorim becoming a member of throughout the worldwide break. With simply two locations and two factors between the groups forward of kick-off although, that’s nonetheless simpler mentioned than accomplished for a United aspect which is ready for but extra upheaval.
Inconsistent at house towards poor travellers
Regardless of the latest enchancment in outcomes, United can’t precisely level to a physique of labor which screams “house three factors”. A couple of weeks in the past we famous right here about their historic house kind; it’s now greater than 11 months since they gained back-to-back league fixtures at Outdated Trafford in the identical season. They’ve gained simply one of many final 4 on house soil within the Premier League and three of the final 11 in all competitions.
Leicester are with no win in three themselves, however rescued an injury-time draw final weekend at Ipswich following defeat to 2 of the Premier League’s prime three beforehand. Wins are onerous to come back by on the highway for the Foxes although; even relationship again into final time period within the Championship, it’s solely three wins in 13 throughout all competitions.
Group information
No actual change for Man United by way of accidents means a frequently stretched defence, with Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia sidelined. Kobbie Mainoo can be out and Amad Diallo wants a health verify after scoring twice and being subbed off in midweek. Leicester are lacking Patson Daka and Jakub Stolarczyk however ought to in any other case be at full energy.
Key gamers beginning to hearth?
There’s no doubting United’s key pair in the mean time, with André Onana remaining in tremendous kind at one finish and Bruno Fernandes lastly having extra affect on the different. It stays unimaginable that no one apart from Alejandro Garnacho (two targets) has scored greater than as soon as for United within the league this time period, however Fernandes netted his first of the marketing campaign from the penalty spot final day out and claimed an help towards Brentford two video games prior. As he’s prime of United’s charts for xG (3.8), large possibilities created (7), possibilities created (15) and xA (1.8) he’s the one they should maximise when confidence is flowing. That mentioned, he solely ranks within the prime dozen Premier League gamers in a type of areas (large possibilities) which solely underlines how poor United have been.
Whereas Leicester’s should be a team-wide method to earn a outcome, Facundo Buonanotte is the one to observe, being first or second for possibilities created (14), large possibilities (4), targets and assists (5), pictures per 90 (2.8) and possession gained within the remaining third (1.3).
Prediction
United may really feel they’re on the cusp of a brand new daybreak and scraping a win right here will add to the momentum.
United 2-1 Leicester.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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