Manchester United welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford this afternoon looking to climb up the Premier League table.
The Red Devils have a strong record against the Foxes, winning 71 matches and losing on 36 occasions.
The sides met in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match as interim coach and United stormed to a hectic 5-2 victory over their opponents in the Carabao Cup.
United will be looking to end the Dutchman’s term as temporary manager as positively as it started. Here are three plotlines for United fans to savour.
Can Amad Diallo cement his place in the team?
After a significant amount of time on the bench under Erik ten Hag, Amad was finally given a chance to shine against Greek side PAOK midweek in the Europa League.
To say the Ivorian took his chance would be an understatement as he grabbed a brace and easily could have scored a hat trick if he had kept his composure one-on-one against the PAOK keeper.
Amad has much growth left to complete in his game, but he is an incredibly exciting player and the type of skilful, brave winger that United fans adore to watch at the Theatre of Dreams.
He did pick up a knock but Van Nistelrooy claimed in his pre-match press conference that he should be fit to play.
The 22 year old will be hoping he is given this chance to cement his place in the first team and give the incoming Ruben Amorim something to seriously think about.
United will hope the floodgates can open in the league
United have struggled for goals all season in the league, finding the net a paltry nine times in 10 matches.
They did score three against Southampton in the league and Porto in the Europa League. In addition, they have found relief in the Carabao cup where they smashed seven past Barnsley and the aforementioned five against the Foxes.
Whilst the Leicester team that comes to Old Trafford today will undoubtedly be a stronger line up, United will hope that they can finally get into gear and open the floodgates ahead of Amorim’s arrival.
Van Nistelrooy loved nothing more as a player to see goals fly in for the Reds and he will hope he can sign off as interim manager in the same way.
United certainly have form for scoring against the Midlands’ side as they have scored in each of their last 28 Premier League matches against them.
Marcus Rashford’s fine form versus Leicester
The Englishman had an horrendous season last year but without setting the world on fire, he has steadily improved this time around.
He has scored four goals in all competitions and will certainly aim to reach at least double figures in this campaign.
The Mancunian has a fine record against this afternoon’s opponents and will hope to continue his excellent form against them.
According to the BBC, he has “scored eight goals against Leicester in all competitions, more than he has managed against any other team.”
Despite the goals, he has only scored once in the league this year and will be looking for a strong performance to impress the incoming Amorim and remind the world of his clear potential.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
