Manchester United vs Leicester Preview
- Draw or United win
- Over 2.5 goals
Manchester United host Leicester City at Old Trafford for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final match as interim manager before Rúben Amorim takes over. Van Nistelrooy will be looking to end his temporary stint on a high, especially after guiding United to a 5-2 win over Leicester in their last encounter.
Despite United’s lowly league position, their recent head-to-head record against Leicester and a long-standing scoring streak make them the favourites heading into this clash.
Manchester United: Hoping to Build Momentum
United have had a challenging season, recording their lowest points tally at this stage since 1986/87 and their fewest goals since 1973/74.
Still, there are positive signs, including an 18-match unbeaten run against newly-promoted teams (W16, D2) and a recent end to their year-long European winless streak with a victory over PAOK.
United’s historical dominance against Leicester is another confidence boost, as they have lost only two of their last 17 league meetings (W10, D5) and have scored in 28 consecutive games in this fixture.
The home crowd will be eager to see United put on a show to usher in the Amorim era, with van Nistelrooy hoping to leave his mark in his final game as interim manager.
Leicester City: Growing in Confidence
Leicester have shown resilience since their promotion, losing only one of their last four league games (W2, D1) and proving to be consistent scorers, with goals in each of their first ten league outings this season.
They’ve shown a knack for drama on the road, with each of their last four away games featuring a result-altering goal scored in the 90th minute or later—the longest such run in Premier League history.
While they’ve struggled at Old Trafford historically, winning just once in 14 visits (D3, L10), Leicester’s ability to score late will keep the pressure on United.
A win here would allow Leicester to overtake United in the standings, adding extra motivation for the Foxes to secure a positive result.
Key Players to Watch
Amad Diallo (Manchester United)
Diallo has been in impressive form, scoring twice in United’s European win over PAOK. Known for his second-half contributions, each of his last five goals for United have come after the 50th minute, making him a key player as United look to finish strong.
Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)
Ayew has made a habit of delivering in the dying moments, scoring in the 90th minute or later in consecutive away league games to help secure valuable points. His impact off the bench could be crucial if Leicester need a late push.
Tactical Insights: United’s Attacking Depth vs. Leicester’s Late Game Resilience
Manchester United will aim to control possession and create chances early, hoping to avoid the need for late heroics. With Diallo in form, van Nistelrooy’s side may seek to leverage pace in the wide areas and utilise crosses to break down Leicester’s defence.
The Foxes, on the other hand, are likely to play on the counter, with Ayew’s late-game impact making him a potential game-changer if the match is close going into the final minutes.
Leicester’s recent history of scoring late in away games suggests they’ll keep pushing until the final whistle, which means United will need to maintain focus for the full 90 minutes.
Final Thoughts
This match provides Manchester United with an opportunity to send off van Nistelrooy on a high note, while Leicester will be eager to make a statement by leapfrogging their hosts in the standings.
With both teams capable of scoring late, fans can expect an intense and potentially dramatic finish at Old Trafford.
Can United secure a positive result for van Nistelrooy’s final game in charge, or will Leicester spoil the party with a late show?
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Man Utd v Leicester, 2024/25 | Premier League