One of the most feisty fixtures on the Premier League calendar will take place at Old Trafford on Wednesday night as Manchester United welcome bitter rivals Leeds, who are without a manager following Jesse Marsch’s sacking.
Manchester United will be aiming to make it 14 home wins across all competitions when they host Leeds United for Wednesday’s Premier League encounter. Both sides are fighting for points at opposite ends of the table, which makes this an interesting tie.
The Erik ten Hag revolution is gathering a head of steam. The early-season defeats at the hands of Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion now seem like a thing of the past, as the Old Trafford juggernaut is well-and-truly on a roll.
After advancing to the EFL Cup final in midweek, the Red Devils returned to winning ways in the Premier League last Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, despite playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men on the field after Casemiro was sent off for losing his head and attempting a stranglehold on Will Hughes.
That, combined with favourable results elsewhere, means that Ten Hag’s side have climbed into third place in the table, just three points behind Manchester City, who are at risk of being docked points after the latest FFP breach findings.
In stark contrast, the visitors have endured an overall disappointing campaign and are currently just outside the relegation zone. They suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in a relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest last weekend and may feel hard done by to come away with nothing, but that has been the frustrating aspect of their season so far: failing to convert prime scoring chances and shutting the back door.
Their terrible run of results has led to the sacking of American manager Jesse Marsch just under a year after his appointment, which comes as a surprise given the backing he received from the board back in January.
However, considering Marsch’s apparent struggle to take the team to the next stage in becoming an established Premier League outfit, it seems the correct decision has been made. For many of the fans, the change had been in the offing for some time, although the players hadn’t given up on their manager.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Training with purpose 💪#MUFC || #MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/kCuUEmyZR9
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 7, 2023
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will have to make do without the services of the suspended Casemiro for Wednesday’s Premier League home clash with Leeds United at Old Trafford.
Christian Eriksen has already been ruled out until late April owing to an ankle injury, and Scott McTominay has missed the last three games due to an unknown issue, while Donny van de Beek is another one sidelined with a long-term injury.
As such, Bayern Munich loanee Marcel Sabitzer, who joined the club on deadline day, could be catapulted straight into the starting lineup alongside Brazilian midfielder Fred following Casemiro’s ban. The Austrian enforcer showed flashes of his brilliance against Palace last time out and will be hoping to make a bigger impact this week.
David de Gea is a mainstay in between the sticks, with the Red Devils lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been excellent in the right-back role recently, so it’s logical to use him there while Diogo Dalot recovers from injury. Luke Shaw is a guaranteed starter at left-back. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane continues to partner with Lisandro Martinez at the centre of United’s back four.
Up ahead in attack, Wout Weghorst has led the line admirably for Manchester United in Anthony Martial’s injury absence and will continue to do so against Leeds, while Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual No. 10 role. To the Portuguese playmaker’s left will be talisman Marcus Rashford, who currently firing on all cylinders in terms of attacking output.
Meanwhile, Antony has been declared unavailable for the Leeds game due to an injury sustained in a challenge from Jeffrey Schlupp last time out.
In the Brazilian winger’s absence, fellow South American Alejandro Garnacho will be handed the opportunity to stake a claim on a starting berth with strong displays down the right. Jadon Sancho is another candidate in strong contention, hoping to earn his first start since the World Cup as he works his way to full fitness and form.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, Fred; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
Leeds United
#LUFC can confirm head coach Jesse Marsch has been relieved of his duties
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 6, 2023
Marsch was sacked on Monday, bringing an end to a turbulent spell, with Leeds lurking just above the relegation zone in the Premier League right now. It is a huge shame that the appointment didn’t work out, and the American dream has come to a premature end.
Leeds have yet to appoint a successor for the American, with Carlos Corberan and Andoni Iraola in the frame; however, Marsch’s assistant manager Chris Armas is part of a three-man caretaker coaching team taking charge of the midweek clash. Therefore, there are unlikely to be any radical tactical or personnel tweaks in the starting lineup.
Armas could set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Manchester United, with Illan Meslier manning the goal as usual. Luke Ayling and winter addition Wober should occupy the full-back slots for the visitors, whereas Robin Koch and Liam Cooper line up at the heart of Leeds’ defence, with the former returning to fold after serving his suspension against Nottingham Forest.
Tyler Adams has been one of Leeds’ standout players this season, starting 18 of his side’s 20 Premier League games. The 23-year-old will be heavily relied upon to provide the backline with enough protection and block counter-attacks, having made the second-most tackles in the English top flight this season.
Alongside Adams, blockbuster winter signing Weston McKennie will look to provide a high-energy and box-to-box presence to the Whites, as well as chip in with a few goals to help out the relegation-battlers.
Fleet-footed attackers Luis Sinisterra and Wilfried Gnonto will be the two wide men for Leeds, with Brendan Aaronson being the workhorse attacking midfielder who will provide support to the new central striker, Giorginio Rutter, who will be counted upon to provide much-needed goals in order to keep the club away from the bottom of the table.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Wober; Adams, McKennie; Sinisterra, Aaronson, Gnonto; Rutter
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won five of their last six matches against Leeds in all competitions, scoring at least four goals in each of their last three home matches against the Whites.
- Leeds have failed to win their last seven Premier League matches in the build-up to Jesse Marsch’s sacking.
- Manchester United are on a four-game winning streak across all competitions.
- Manchester United have shipped only five of their last seven games.
- Marcus Rashford has netted 11 goals since returning from the World Cup.
Player to Watch
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has been in superb form since returning from the World Cup and has proven to be a game-changer for the Red Devils this season. The England international has found the back of the net 10-times in the Premier League alone, and he has also chipped in with nine goals in cup competitions for his boyhood club, so he would be chomping at the bit to play against a leaky Leeds defence on Wednesday night.
Prediction
Manchester United 3-1 Leeds United
Manchester United and Leeds United will meet twice in the Premier League in the next five days, with the first meeting at Old Trafford on Wednesday expected to be a tense affair.
Having managed just two wins in their last 17 Premier League outings, it’s little surprise Leeds pulled the trigger on Marsch, but it will likely only dampen their spirits ahead of this trip.
The Red Devils are currently light years ahead of Leeds in terms of consistency, upbeat vibes, and the fact Erik ten Hag’s side has only lost once at home, so The Hard Tackle predicts another straightforward three-point win for the hosts.