One eye on internationals should favour the Foxes
Third and second in the Premier League will face off in the last quarter final of the FA Cup in 2020/2021. Leicester City, thanks to their Europa League exit a few weeks ago, have had time off the punishing schedule to recover, whereas their opponents Manchester United only got back into the country in the early hours of Friday morning, following their notable, narrow triumph over AC Milan at the San Siro in the secondary UEFA competition. Much will depend on what sort of lineup Ole Gunnar Solskjær is either willing or able to put out on Sunday afternoon, and whether their continued participation on three fronts will start to badly affect their grip on the runners-up spot. Read our preview here:
It takes two
One of the innovative ways head coach Brendan Rodgers has tried to compensate for having both of the influential attacking midfield pair of Harvey Barnes and James Maddison injured has been to 'create' a relatively new one, but at the sharper end of the pitch. Kelechi Ihenacho has at times flattered to deceive, especially on his own up top. However, with Jamie Vardy helping to both create space and key passes for the Nigerian striker to lash home, their budding partnership has proven to be very fruitful. Ayoze Pérez has also hitherto underperformed in a blue shirt, but should be afforded far more gametime and freedom in the hole behind the duo for the foreseeable future this season, and whilst not a playmaker in his own right, he both defends from the front and operates well between the lines, which in turn helps out the rest of the midfield to remain a little higher to keep the pressure on.
Pogballer
The 'twinge' Marcus Rashford felt in the win in Italy paved the way for the returning Paul Pogba to turn in a match-winning performance as his replacement. Though himself not fit enough to last 90 minutes yet, his talents will doubtlessly be called on from the outset on Sunday, and his preferred role on the left-hand side of the attacking midfield three to boot. Besides having to stick with Mason Greenwood as the frontman by default, some of the other slots are more up in the air. Luke Shaw at left-back is in the form of his life, so it would be remiss to leave him out, especially as he celebrates his recall to the England national squad. The dearth of senior attacking options on the roster could start to bite the Red Devils with games coming thick and fast, but Pogba will need to be shackled by Wilfried Ndidi.
High hopes for Brendan
If there's a 'good' time to play Manchester United, it's now. Granted, they have been excellent on the road all year long, and they'll be far from alone in trying to address the fine balance of resting players to release to their national sides whilst remaining competitive, but it's difficult to foresee the FA Cup being high on their priorities. A reasonably favourable draw in the Europa League could mean passage through to the semi-finals is more probable than possible on paper, and success in that would ensure a spot in the Champions League, even if their form in the top flight was to tail off. Rodgers will also be conscious that the Foxes' run-in looks difficult on paper, but there is less now pressure on their continued participation. 888sport have the hosts a 2.90 to go through in normal time.
