Manchester United are ready to play their second game against arch-rivals Leeds United in under a week in the Premier League. Last Word on Football tries to put together a predicted lineup for the Red Devils as they look to get back to winning ways.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Leeds United
Keep building, Sanch 📈
🌪 @Sanchooo10#MUFC || #LEEMUN pic.twitter.com/XGmAfsalQF
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 10, 2023
How Manchester United Have Lined-up Recently
Erik ten Hag appeared to have found his perfect starting XI at United in recent weeks, but the exhausting schedule appears to have gotten the better of his thin squad. With a number of key players injured over the last month, the Dutchman is now left to find new options to get the best out of those available to him.
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The back-five, fortunately, is fully fit and the same backline that started in the previous game should take the field at Elland Road as well. Because of the lack of midfield options, Fred is likely to continue to partner Marcel Sabitzer and Bruno Fernandes. Marcus Rashford is in flying form and will keep his role, but Jadon Sancho can get his first start since October due to the lack of forward options.
Manchester United Recent Form and Tactics
The Red Devils saw their 12-game winning streak at Old Trafford snapped with the draw against Leeds, putting a blip on their recent form. United have won four out of their last five games across all competitions, but have a little bit of a worrying away record. In their last three away league games, they’ve only won once. They will surely be hoping to improve that record on Sunday.
Despite the injuries disrupting his plans, Ten Hag has been encouraging his side to play attacking football. That involves playing the ball out from the back, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane doing much of that job. United are more focused on creating moves through the wings, using their overlapping wing-backs to get in behind the opposition backline.
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Rashford and Sancho like to dribble past opponents to get into the box – with the former showcasing better positional sense and getting on the end of more goal-scoring chances in the box this season. Fernandes has been given total freedom to roam around, often operating as a makeshift right-winger to send in threatening balls into the penalty area. Sabitzer has a high-octane style and possesses plenty of creativity – while Fred is more of a disruptor in the middle.
The Manchester side will hope to learn from the mistakes made in the previous game and show more respect to their rivals at Elland Road. They’ll have to be wary of passing the ball out from the back and beating the opposition press smoothly to frustrate the hosts and get away with a win.
Manchester United Injuries to Consider
Anthony Martial, Antony and Scott McTominay have been ruled out of the game by Ten Hag. Christian Eriksen is out until May after getting injured last month and Donny van de Beek is out for the rest of the season.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
David de Gea, Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Fred, Marcel Sabitzer, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford
