A historically intense top-flight rivalry between Manchester United and Leeds United will renew on Sunday at Old Trafford for the first time in 16 years.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side welcome the Premier League new boys to Manchester on the back of what was an extremely narrow 3-2 victory over struggling Sheffield United in the midweek fixture list.
Meanwhile, Leeds United ran out 5-2 winners against Newcastle United earlier this week and Marco Bielsa’s men will be hoping to mount upon a solid showing against arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
The Red Devils have witnessed an upsurge in recent form, and Marcus Rashford’s attacking exploits against Sheffield United in the midweek game away at the Blades came at a crucial point for both the England international as well as the Old Trafford outfit.
Anthony Martial’s misfiring showings in front of the goal also concluded against Sheffield as the Frenchman bagged the equiliser for Solskjaer’s side after the visitors had gone behind in the opening minutes of the game.
☝️ First touch to control
✌️ Second touch to finish@MarcusRashford everybody 👏#MUFC #SHUMUN pic.twitter.com/xYDznBhAFf— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 18, 2020
Rashford’s brace last time around would come as a real short in the arm for the highly-rated attacker, with his recent off-the-field heroics being overshadowed by his downward spiral of form, and 23-year-old’s leading the Manchester United attacking line come Sunday would be of paramount importance to his boss Solskjaer.
Going up against a strong Leeds United frontline, the fragile looking United defence would be required to give their very best when facing the likes of Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo trying to find the back of David de Gea’s net.
Sunday’s visitors to Old Trafford have been inconsistent in their display’s week in and week out since gaining promotion to top-flight football, but the Manchester United fanbase will not count out Bielsa’s Leeds United from handing a major upset to the Red Devils.
WHEN AND WHERE?
United v Leeds.
𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠.#MUFC #MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/4Ttkveqkqa
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 19, 2020
Date – 20 December Sunday
Time – 3 PM BST
Venue – Old Trafford
TEAM NEWS
Summer arrival Edinson Cavini would be in the fray to make the matchday squad for the Leeds United fixture after having missed the last couple of outings due to a muscle issue.
A host of changes in the XI are expected to be made by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Manchester United boss will be convinced to drop Dean Henderson in favour of David de Gea for Sunday’s game in the aftermath of the former being an uninspiring presence between the sticks when facing Sheffield United.
The duo of Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba are in line to start on Sunday should Solskjaer want the latter’s creative influence in the United midfield troubling a largely erratic Leeds United backline.
Having been benched for recent games in the Manchester United colours, Pogba’s future at Old Trafford remains a major source of uncertainty as evident by recent developments, but the World Cup-winning midfield star has voiced time and again of his intentions to perform at the very best of his ability for the Old Trafford outfit.
KEY BATTLE
Harry Maguire vs Patrick Bamford
Bamford comes into Sunday’s showdown with nine goals in his kitty for the ongoing season, and the Leeds United striker is bound to prove himself as a major menace to deal with for the hosts backline.
Manchester United captain Maguire’s indifferent form of late would put more pressure on Solskjaer’s side but the Englishman certainly posseses the knack to glue the Red Devils defence to great effect.
Maguire’s going up against Bamford would provide for a much entertaining clash between two great players, and could be one vital factor deciding the final outcome of the weekend fixture.
MATCH PREDICTION
It is fair to say that both teams have combative attacking options, but largely fragile defensive ones, which should boil down the game’s final result to a stalemate.
Considering the latest set of results recorded by Sunday’s opponents at Old Trafford heading into the rival clash, we predict a 1-1 draw, with Bamford and Bruno Fernandes being scorers on either side.
