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| Image Courtesy - The Mirror |
Saturday’s home tie against Leicester City
is a must-win game for the Red Devils and you can read our preview to the game here.
Manchester United’s season is falling apart because they have managed just one
win in the first four games in the Premier League so far. Interestingly, United have struggled against teams that sit back and defend
deep, highlighting a lack of creativity in United’s attack. However, all that
needs to change and it needs to change fast because Leicester City will not
give up an inch without a fight on Saturday.
Solskjaer has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation
in recent games. The problem with the set up is the absence of a proper
playmaker in the hole behind the striker. Manchester United have lacked an out and out
number 10 in the first three games which has affected their gameplay in the
final third. Teams have realized that this is a weakness at United right now
and they have resorted to increasing the numbers at the back, denying United a
chance to break on the counter.
Leicester City usually adopt a more proactive stance
on the field, which could open up a lot of gaps behind their midfield for
United to exploit. As such, Solskjaer will have to get his team selection
absolutely right in order to get all three points in this game.
When the whole team has to play well, there
are certain players who will be tasked with steering the team back to winning
ways. Today, we take a look at 5 such players who will crucial for Manchester
United against Leicester City.
5. Aaron Wan-Bissaka
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| Image Courtesy - The Metro |
The English man has been one of United’ss
best players this season. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is still a doubt for the Leicester
City Game but should he be fit he will certainly have a say in the outcome of
the tie on Saturday. The English man is very solid at the back and also loves
going forward. Wan-Bissaka will be important for United to nullify the threat
of Leicester City wide players and his ability to religiously trackback will
also be crucial for his team.
Wan-Bissaka’s presence at right-back will
give United the courage to go forward at will against Leicester. The Englishman’s
defensive contribution will be an asset to his time but his forward runs will
also help United pile the pressure in the opposition. During counter attacks,
the Wan-Bissaka’s speed and technical abilities could help open up spaces in
the opposition third. Manchester United will be desperate for their English
right back to make it into the team for the Leicester City game.
4. Harry Maguire
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| Image Courtesy - The Independent |
Harry Maguire made the move from Leicester
City to Manchester United over the summer but it is his former club who have the
Upper Hand right now. Leicester City are currently unbeaten in the league while
United have already succumbed to their first loss. The Red Devils have also
drawn two more games and even though he has not been at fault for any of the goals,
Harry Maguire needs to step up and martial his defense better.
The Englishman will have a point to prove
when he takes to the field against his former club. Maguire will also be
desperate to earn his team a clean sheet, after watching United concede in each
of the last three games. The Englishman is aware of the threat possessed by the
Leicester City team, and his knowledge of his former teammates could be vital
on Saturday. Maguire will be looking to keep Jamie Vardy quiet and if he
succeeds, United will have a strong chance of securing all three points.
3. Juan Mata
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| Image Courtesy - Sky Sports |
Since Paul Pogba is ruled out of the game
due to injury, Juan Mata is a certain starter right now. The diminutive
Spaniard is United’s most creative player after the Frenchman and is an
automatic choice for the No. 10 role in the team. Lingard’s recent failure had
forced Solskjaer to start with Mata in the No. 10 position against Southampton
and the Spaniard had a decent outing for his team. Mata displayed exactly what
United had missed in the first few games and will have to take over the
creative responsibilities against Leicester City this Saturday.
The Spaniard is accomplished with the ball
at his feet and has the ability to thread those final balls which can split
open the opposition defenses. Mata is also very clever with his positioning and
can pick up pockets of spaces in the final third with ease. His off the ball
running and passing will be very important for United against Leicester City.
2. Daniel James
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| Image Courtesy - The Mirror |
Undoubtedly United’s best attacker this
season, the youngster has enjoyed a fantastic start to life at Old Trafford.
Daniel James has already scored 3 goals from 4 appearances so far and is United’s
highest scorer this term. Against Southampton, the Welshman showed fantastic
finishing prowess and flourished in his favored left forward position. With
Martial set to miss the Leicester City game due to injury, James could get
another run from the left side in the team.
The Welshman has pace to burn and can be a
threat on the counter. However, it is not just his offensive side that has
caught the eye this season. James has been a workhorse on the field, closing
down the opposition and helping his team to implement a high press. Yet, it is
his calmness and composure in front of goal that is indispensable for United
right now. Against Leicester City too, Daniel James could very well determine
the outcome of the game once again.
1. Marcus Rashford
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| Image Courtesy - The Premier League Official Website |
Following the emergence of the new signings
and the resurgence of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford has endured a tough
start to the season so far. The Englishman had actually been on fire in the
opening weekend, scoring 2 goals against Chelsea and looking like a player who
could take the league by the scruff of the neck this term. Sadly, Rashford could
not build on that momentum and has failed to score in the last three games.
With Anthony Martial set to miss the Leicester City game due to injury, the
onus is on Rashford to prove to the world that he is still one of the most
lethal attackers in the world.
The Englishman has been a tad unlucky so
far; had his penalty kick against Crystal Palace not come off the upright, it
might have been a totally different story for both the club and the player.
Instead, Rashford has cut a frustrated figure in the last few games. He has
been guilty of trying too hard and also being a little too selfish in the box.
All that, though, has to be sorted out very fast, as United will need Marcus
Rashford on full form if they are to gather 3 points against Leicester City.
With Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial set to miss the game due to injuries,
Marcus Rashford is United’s main man right now.
Be sure to join us after the game for the post match analysis
Be sure to join us after the game for the post match analysis
Stay tuned for more updates about Manchester United, including post match analysis, previews, news among others. Till then, be Football Mad!
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