Manchester United will be looking to tighten their grip on a spot in the Premier League top five when they host Leeds United on Monday at 8pm.
The Red Devils currently sit third in the table, and are seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea.
Man Utd predicted XI vs Leeds
Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Yoro, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.
Michael Carrick’s men went into the international break having dropped points against Bournemouth. And they’ve only taken four points from their past three games. But they’re on a good run overall. The Red Devils have lost just one of their 14 Premier League games since Christmas Day, winning eight and drawing five.
Man Utd team news vs Leeds
It’s been over three weeks since Man Utd last played. But they come into this game with a few question marks. The international break wasn’t too kind to them.
Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have both suffered knocks but they’re likely to be available, given the break they’ve had. Lisandro Martinez has also returned to team training, and Carrick has revealed he is in contention for selection.
The one certainty will be the absence of Harry Maguire, who is serving a suspension after his red card last time out. Patrick Dorgu and Matthijs de Ligt are also out injured, though the former is expected to be back sooner rather than later.
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Ayden Heaven could come in to replace Maguire at the heart of Man Utd’s defence, should Martinez not be available to start. Leny Yoro will partner him, with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw the full-backs.
Despite Sesko’s availability, Mbeumo is expected to lead the line for Man Utd — being preferred by Carrick. Sesko will have to make an impact for the bench. The rest of the attacking lineup should remain the same, with Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo flanking Bruno Fernandes in the No.10
The deeper midfield pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro is another certainty, with Manuel Ugarte having to watch on from the bench.
Fortress Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim’s record at Old Trafford was not good. Teams travelled to the Theatre of Dreams knowing there was a big chance of them taking all three points. The Red Devils won just 12 of their 30 home games under the Portuguese manager, losing nine.
Carrick, on the other hand, is yet to lose a home game at Old Trafford as Man Utd manager. In fact, he’s won all six matches. That includes a win in 2021 during his time as caretaker manager, steadying the ship in a previously tumultuous time.
Only Carlo Ancelotti (seven), Sven-Goran Eriksson (nine) and Manuel Pellegrini (11) have experienced longer winning starts at home as Premier League managers. Man Utd will fancy their chances of at least remaining unbeaten.
The Red Devils haven’t lost a home league game against Leeds since 1981, winning 11 and drawing seven of the 18 games since. They’ve also lost just one of their last 20 league games against Leeds, and are unbeaten in all five evening kick-offs in the Premier League in this fixture.