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Manchester United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 5
Sep 14, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Leicester logo

1-0

Rashford (8' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)

How Manchester United could line up against Leicester City

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester United could line up for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Old Trafford.

Manchester United will look to return to winning ways as they welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men claimed an excellent 4-0 opening day win over Chelsea but have since failed to win any of their next three games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Southampton.

They face a difficult task against a Leicester side which has improved over the summer and enjoyed a positive start to the 2019-20 season, with the Foxes unbeaten after four games.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the Red Devils could line up for the game.


Possible MNU XI vs. LEI

Out: Eric Bailly (knee), Luke Shaw (thigh)
Doubtful: Paul Pogba (ankle), Diogo Dalot (pelvis), Anthony Martial (thigh), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (back), Jesse Lingard (illness)

> Click here to see United's full injury and suspension list ahead of this fixture.

Solskjaer potentially faces a tough selection decision between the returning Diogo Dalot and Ashley Young for the left-back spot following Luke Shaw's injury last month. Following the chaotic defensive nature of United's last home display, the Norwegian is likely to opt for the latter, who is a limited but largely dependable player.

At the back, United supporters will expect greater core firmness from defensive duo Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, with the latter's positioning somewhat at fault in the buildup to Southampton's equaliser last time out. The lively Jamie Vardy, who likes scoring against United, will serve as a tantalising test for Maguire as he faces his former employers for the first time.

Over on the right, using Aaron Wan-Bissaka may be a risk due to the Englishman missing out on a senior England debut due to a back injury, but it has been since claimed that the affliction is one which can be managed in between games. Following Shaw's injury, which will sideline the Englishman for a month, Solskjaer will be desperate to not lose another first-choice defender for this game.

Another gamble will also need to be taken over Paul Pogba, who was seen limping after the 1-1 draw at St Mary's and also missed the international break. However, reports from France have suggested that the problem only requires 10 days of recovery, which means the 26-year-old should be in contention to start alongside Scott McTominay, whose composed performances have gone under the radar so far this season.

Further forward, one of the first names on the team sheet will be Daniel James, with the youngster claiming three goals - including a screamer against Southampton - in his first month alongside scoring another for Wales against Belarus. His direct running and eye for goal has highlighted the shortcomings of other attackers at Old Trafford so far this season.

Among the attackers looking to prove a point will be Anthony Martial, who scored against Chelsea and Wolves, performed poorly against Palace, and missed the Southampton game through injury. He has returned to training this week and could well be ordered to occupy the number nine role after Marcus Rashford failed to exercise any sort of presence up front against Southampton.

Perhaps Rashford's committed running out wide, combined with the darting pace of James and Jesse Lingard, would give United the space necessary to carve out opportunities against a hitherto militantly organised Leicester team.

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Paul Pogba in Premier League action for Manchester United on May 12, 2019
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Man Utd injury, suspension list vs. Leicester
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea18105338211735
5Manchester CityMan City199463226631
6Bournemouth198652923630
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1913151239-276


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