Manchester United V Leicester City – Team News, Tactics, Line-Ups And Prediction By Siddharth Singh on September 21, 2014 | Leave a Comment Manchester United v Leicester City King Power Stadium, Leicester 21 September 2014 1230 hours UTC *** Two clubs on equal points separated by goal difference go up against each other when Manchester United travel to Leicester City on Sunday. Team news and tactics Manchester United Loius van Gaal’s side travels to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City in their fifth match in the PL this season. In their last outing, United were impressive as new signing Angel di Maria wove a spell around QPR at Old Trafford and even scored one of the four goals that United scored against QPR without reply. United will be keen to replicate the performance from last week and not let it go down as a flash in the pan or false start as was the case last year on more than one occasion. One of the hallmarks of United’s game under Sir Alex had been to enter the field of a play against weaker opposition with the attitude that the victory was a foregone conclusion. This was less complacence or arrogance and more confidence that they could clear the hurdle. And more often than not they did. Any team in the middle of the table dreaded the trip to Old Trafford, in fact, in a way giving up even before the match had started. All that changed last season when, under David Moyes, Manchester United fell at Old Trafford to a string of sides that had failed to win anything in the past many years at the hallowed grounds. The fear and aura of playing at the Theatre of Dreams had all but dissipated as what had hitherto been a fortress looked more like a carnival for visitors. Louis van Gaal and his team’s primary objective would not only be to do better this season and hopefully qualify for the Champions League next season but also reinstate the fear factor associated with Old Trafford. The Dutch manager has already hinted at a departure from his favoured 3-5-2 position given the embarrassment of attacking riches he has at his disposal. By his own admission, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Radamel Falcao, Adnan Januzaj, and James Wilson were all competing for two positions. To better utilise United’s aggressiveness, LvG might in fact adopt the 4-3-3 formation. In defense, United have been handed a boost with the return of center back Chris Smalling from injury. Phil Jones, however, is still out with his hamstring injury picked up during the international break. In spite of Smalling’s return, it is unlikely he would be directly started in the game. He would in all probability occupy the bench, provided he travels to the match itself. Luke Shaw returned from injury last week and even started the U21 game midweek for United. Yet all signs point to him again getting a place on the bench as LvG is expected to allow Rojo to continue in the left black at least for one more game, partly to ensure that Shaw is perfectly healthy to start and play the full 90 minutes at home against West Ham United next weekend. Tyler Blackett would therefore partner Johny Evans in central defense with Rafael slotting in at right back. Manchester United Probable XI In midfield, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind put in a very solid performance against QPR. They played the game with an understanding that made it seem like they had been playing together for many years. Their relationship on the pitch, which is already good, can actually help bring some much needed balance to United’s midfield and in Fellaini and Carrick’s absence through injury, both the newcomers should be confident of making the cut to retain their places in the engine room. Ahead of them, Mata was impressive again against QPR, linking up well between himself, di Maria, and Herrera. He also scored a goal, bringing his tally to 2 from the season and 7 in the last 8 games he has played for the club. It would be a pity to waste this purple patch of form by putting him on the bench. It is the attacking positions up front where LvG is spoilt for choice. After two i
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 09:14:58 +0000
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