Creaky Leicester to expose Man Utd's similar woes
It's fair to day things haven't gone to plan thus far this season for Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City side. Pipped in successive campaigns at the death for a Champions League spot, the loss of Wesley Fofana on the eve of the beginning of the Premier League. As ever with Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, they are very front-loaded, and failed to address their midfield inadequacies in the transfer window. The game at the King Power Stadium will prove that beyond a shadow of doubt. Read our preview here:
It needn't be Kel
Currently down in 14th, their poor first two months of the term have owed just as much to misfiring attacking midfielders as it has the far more immediate defensive deficiencies. Rodgers might go back to back to basics in a 4-4-2 shape, gambling on including Hamza Choudhury as one of the two in the middle in the absence of a technically superior Wilfried Ndidi. The only other doubts are further back, but James Maddison is expected to remain on the bench because of poor form. Joint top goalscorer Jamie Vardy should have Kelechi Ihenacho for company, and the latter will find plenty of pockets of space in between the red lines.
Jaded Jadon
Raphaël Varane sustained a groin injury in France's successful UEFA Nations League mini-tournament, meaning Eric Bailly will partner Victor Lindelöf. A less proactive defence will mean more scope for the hosts to attack, as will tasking Paul Pogba with being one of the two pivots. Elsewhere, Jadon Sancho will belatedly be hoping for some of his England exploits to rub off on what has been a distinctively underwhelming debut campaign for the Red Devils thus far. Marcus Rashford's likely inclusion in the matchday squad puts further pressure on the young star to perform, but he ought to have some joy down the left flank against two enterprising, attack-minded opponents.
Rodgers dodging the issue
The instruction will be to penetrate the Foxes' den as often as possible, as they have been extremely susceptible when falling back to their own area. There are goals to be had for United, but also Leicester - Parimatch have odds of 3.00 for over 3.5 in 90 minutes.
