YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LEICESTER V UNITED
Manchester United hit the road again on Sunday, as our Premier League campaign continues with a trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping his charges can return to winning ways after the 2-2 draw with Burnley on Tuesday evening, when late goals from Paul Pogba and Victor Lindelof salvaged an important point and maintained our unbeaten run under the Norwegian.
United were understandably disappointed not to have extended the caretaker manager’s perfect start to nine consecutive victories but, ultimately, it means the gap to the top four is just two points, after Chelsea’s 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Wednesday.
Fifth-placed Arsenal play Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium following the conclusion of our match against Leicester, so Solskjaer and co will be aware that a positive result might see us climb the table, should the Gunners drop points.
But, as last season’s pre-Christmas visit to the East Midlands proved, Leicester are usually difficult opponents on their own turf. Read on to see how the two sides are shaping up ahead of Sunday’s clash…
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
The game kicks off at 14:05 GMT on Sunday and will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. Subscribers to MUTV will be able to enjoy live build-up to the match from 12:30 GMT in the 'Match Day' programme, while you can also follow our coverage of the match on ManUtd.com and in the Official App, which you can download here.
WHO WILL PLAY?
Anthony Martial missed the Burnley game after picking up a knock in training, and Solskjaer revealed before that match that there were a few “small little niggles” that he needed to protect by rotating – given how many games are coming up in February. Ander Herrera was among those rested and could return – the Spaniard has started all four away games thus far under Solskjaer. In defence, Chris Smalling was involved in the matchday squad for the first time in more than seven weeks against the Clarets, so the centre-back could earn his first start under Ole. The caretaker manager said in his pre-match press conference that he hoped Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial will come through Friday's training session and be involved on Sunday, with Marcos Rojo the only long-term absentee.
WHAT ABOUT LEICESTER?
Belgium international midfielder Youri Tielemans could make his debut for the club after signing on loan from Monaco on deadline day, with Adrien Silva moving in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, England defenderHarry Maguire returned from injury with a goal that earned the Foxes a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night, after being substituted in Leicester’s previous game against Wolves with an ankle complaint. Full-back Daniel Amartey, who was sent off against United in last season's corresponding fixture, is continuing his rehabilitation from an ankle injury suffered in October as reports suggest he won't return to first-team action until March.
HOW HAVE LEICESTER BEEN DOING?
It’s been an inconsistent start to the new year for Claude Puel’s men. They kicked off 2019 with a solid away performance at Goodison Park, where they ran out 1-0 winners against Everton, but then succumbed to three consecutive defeats. Famously, within that run, they were beaten 2-1 at League Two side Newport County in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup. They steadied themselves in midweek with an impressive 1-1 draw against league leaders Liverpool, becoming the first team outside of the top five to claim a point against Jurgen Klopp’s men. The Midlands outfit are also one of four Premier League teams to have beaten Manchester City this season and they won away at Chelsea in December, so the Reds can expect a tough test against a team who have tended to flourish against top-flight high-flyers.
WHAT'S OUR RECORD AGAINST THE FOXES LIKE?
We’ve met Leicester 127 times in competitive games, winning on 65 previous occasions, while there have been 33 victories for Leicester and 29 draws. In the Premier League era, the Foxes have beaten us just twice, most recently back in 2014 in that dramatic 5-3 defeat at the King Power Stadium under Louis van Gaal. United have won four of the last five games against the 2015/16 champions, and only a stoppage-time equaliser from Harry Maguire in December 2017 denied us all three points on our most recent visit to the King Power. The Reds faced Leicester in the first Premier League match of the 2018/19 season back in August, when an early penalty from Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw's first career goal proved enough to clinch a 2-1 win despite a late goal from Jamie Vardy. Watch the highlights from that game below...
WHO IS THEIR MANAGER?
Claude Puel took charge of the Foxes in October 2017 when the team were in the relegation zone, and eventually guided them to a respectable ninth-placed finish. The Frenchman – nicknamed ‘Whispering’ Claude due to his quiet comportment – has led Leicester to several impressive results, but came under fire for his decision to rest key players for their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester City, which ended in a penalty-shootout defeat. Club legend Vardy has publicly admitted that Puel’s desired style of play does not suit him. But the former Monaco and Lille boss has a knack of masterminding important results, with the draw at Anfield the latest to inspire confidence in his work. United fans will remember him for taking Southampton to the League Cup final in 2017, where Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice to help the Reds to a 3-2 win at Wembley Stadium.
WHO IS THE REFEREE?
Mike Dean will take charge of his fourth United match of the season on Sunday, following our 2-1 win at Watford in September, the 2-2 draw at Chelsea in October and last month’s 1-0 win away at Tottenham Hotspur. He sent Nemanja Matic off for a second bookable offence against the Hornets, while Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera were booked in the Spurs match at Wembley. Dean will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Darren Cann, with David Coote assuming the role of fourth official.
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