One of English football’s fiercest rivalries will take centre-stage this Sunday as Leeds United play hosts to Manchester United in the Premier League.
Manchester United will travel to Elland Road this weekend as they get set to take on bitter rivals Leeds United in Matchweek 26 of the 2021/22 Premier League.
It has been a topsy-turvy season so far for Manchester United, as they have struggled to put together a convincing run of performances. However, with teams around them also slipping up, the Red Devils have managed to hold on to fourth place in the league standings, one point clear of West Ham United in fifth.
However, with Arsenal and Tottenham not far below, Ralf Rangnick’s side cannot afford to slip up. Manchester United are unbeaten in their last six Premier League encounters but have won only three of those, most recently defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0. They will be hoping to grab another victory when they lock horns with arch-rivals Leeds, who themselves are going through a difficult campaign.
Indeed, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have won just two of their last nine league matches and have failed to come out on top in each of their previous three, losing 3-0 to Everton in their latest clash. T
he Whites find themselves perilously close to the relegation zone as they sit 16th, just five points clear of Norwich City. Leeds will need to start turning things around to avoid getting pulled into the battle for survival. Manchester United thrashed Leeds United 5-1 the last time these two teams met, with Bruno Fernandes getting a hat-trick.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Leeds United have several injury problems to deal with ahead of this big game as key players Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips are all ruled out, along with Sam Greenwood and Leo Hjelde. In addition, Stuart Dallas is a doubt and will undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability. Junior Firpo, however, could be in line to return for the Whites.
? Marcelo on team news: “Dallas is recovering, he’s not been discarded from Sunday’s game. Phillips and Cooper continue their normal processes, the objective is March.” pic.twitter.com/2U7B2KT7U9
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 18, 2022
Marcelo Bielsa could set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Manchester United, with Illan Meslier manning the goal. Luke Ayling and the returning Junior Firpo should occupy the full-back slots for the home team while Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk line up at the centre of the defence.
Robin Koch will form the double pivot in the middle of the park alongside Adam Forshaw, with the pair looking to keep a check on the output of their Manchester United counterparts – particularly Bruno Fernandes. Mateusz Klich would also be an option for the manager, although he might opt for more solidity in the centre.
Rodrigo Moreno should occupy the spot just behind the main striker and try to exploit the spaces between the lines while also supporting the centre-forward – ex-Man United man Daniel James. The threat from the wide areas will come from the dangerous duo of Raphinha and Jack Harrison.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Firpo; Forshaw, Koch; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison; James
Manchester United
Manchester United will again be without Edinson Cavani as he continues to recover from a groin issue. However, there is some good news for Ralf Rangnick as Raphael Varane is available after missing the Brighton clash due to an illness, while Nemanja Matic is also back in the reckoning. Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton is ruled out while Mason Greenwood is indefinitely suspended.
? Two first-team Reds will be unavailable for #LEEMUN, but Ralf revealed a midfielder returned to training on Friday ??#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 18, 2022
Rangnick is expected to continue with the 4-3-3 formation he has employed of late, with in-form superstar David de Gea guarding the Manchester United goal. The returning Varane should replace Victor Lindelof as captain Harry Maguire’s defensive partner, while Diogo Dalot should continue at right-back. Luke Shaw could make way for Alex Telles on the opposite flank.
Scott McTominay is a guaranteed starter at the base of the midfield for Manchester United and will be tasked with protecting the backline. Since being handed a more box-to-box role by Rangnick in the new setup, Fred has been in impressive touch. But Paul Pogba, who has impressed since returning from injury, might get the nod alongside Bruno Fernandes in the remaining two midfield slots.
There is no looking past Cristiano Ronaldo in the centre-forward slot, with the Portuguese ending his six-game drought against Brighton earlier in the week. Out wide, Marcus Rashford should come back into the lineup in place of Anthony Elanga, while Jadon Sancho should hold on to his place in the team.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Telles; Fernandes, McTominay, Pogba; Rashford, Ronaldo, Sancho
Key Stats
- Manchester United are unbeaten in six away games in the Premier League since a 4-1 loss at Watford in November. However, the Red Devils have dropped six points from winning positions during that run – against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Burnley.
- Leeds United have lost five of their previous eight league games, as many defeats as they suffered in their opening 15 fixtures this term.
- Manchester United are the only team to have scored in all of their away league fixtures this season. They last failed to score in an away game in the competition against Leeds in April 2021.
- Leeds United attacker Daniel James can become the first player to score a Premier League goal in this fixture for both clubs.
- Manchester United are hoping to keep back-to-back clean sheets across all competitions, having gone 49 matches without doing so.
Player to Watch
Bruno Fernandes
Most Chances Created – 1st
Most BIG Chances Created – 2ndThis is Bruno Fernandes having a "bad" season in the Premier League #mufc pic.twitter.com/T8K1nkh0UI
— UtdFaithfuls (@UtdFaithfuls) February 19, 2022
It has not been the best of seasons for Bruno Fernandes, who has been unable to dictate games like Manchester United fans have grown accustomed to seeing over the past couple of years. Despite that, the Portuguese international has produced a tally of eight goals and 12 assists from 32 games in all competitions and was on target against Brighton earlier this week.
Fernandes has created 71 chances in the Premier League this season, more than any other player in the competition. He also has five goals and one assist in just three league appearances against Leeds. Expect him to be at the forefront of Manchester United’s attacking threat when they take the field at Elland Road on Sunday.
Prediction
Leeds United 1-2 Manchester United
Leeds United were brilliant in the 3-3 draw against Aston Villa but failed to show up completely against Everton last weekend as they were hammered 3-0. However, against rivals Manchester United, playing in front of vociferous home support, Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be up for it and put up a good fight.
However, Leeds taking the game to their visitors could end up playing into the hands of the Red Devils, who have generally struggled against teams that have sat deep against them. Nonetheless, their recent goal-shy displays and defensive vulnerabilities will make for an interesting match-up at Elland Road. Ralf Rangnick’s side should have enough quality to clinch a crucial win against the Whites on Sunday.
