MANCHESTER UNITED VS LEEDS UNITED: PREVIEW

Manchester United take on Leeds in a crucial Premier League fixture away at Elland road with the hope of maintaining their top four position this season. United have been far from consistent this season, but a win against the struggling Leeds would surely lift the spirits ahead of a crucial Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. United, as one may remember won 5-1 on the opening day of the new season at home against the very same opponents. A lot has changed since then, a this match is crucial for both teams now, for entirely different reasons.

Leeds are 15th in the table on 23 points, just five off 18th placed Watford. A win will take them over Brentford upto 14th. Leeds have been awful to say the least this season, with defensive liabilities playing a huge role in their problems. Only Norwich have conceded more goals(50) than Leeds this season(46). They haven't kept a clean sheet since November last year, and have conceded an astonishing 26 goals in just 9 Premier League matches, which equates to about three goals conceded per match. This is a huge problem, especially for a team managed by the legendary Marcelo Bielsa. Their recent form at home is also worrying, with Leeds having lost 2 of their last three home matches. Bielsa would look towards midfielder Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha upfront to play crucial roles if Leeds are to come away with anything from this match.

Raphinha and Daniel James celebrate after scoring a goal

Manchester United, on the other hand would look forward to do a double over their bitter rivals, for the first time since the 1999-2000 campaign. They have lost just once in the last 16 matches against the whites, back in 2002 at Elland Road. Since then United have won 10 and drew 5 against their less fancied rivals. United have also kept a clean sheet in each of their last two games away at Elland Road, and will look forward to continue that trend, especially when the defense has been really leaky this season.

United will again depend on their attacking prowess in the form of Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes and of course, the talismanic Portuguese, Cristiano Ronaldo. Paul Pogba should get a start along with Fred or McTominnay in the middle of the park. The defense along with David de Gea in goal will have to be alert at all times to ward off any chances of conceding on the counter as they will be up against the pacy Daniel James and Raphinha. Overall it should be an entertaining game with end to end action, as both teams are desperate for points, and any slip up from here could be fatal.

This match will also be an opportunity for Ralf Rangnick to finally get his tactics straight after poor displays from the team in the last few matches. Jadon Sancho is one player who seems to have improved under him, but the onus will be on the others like Rashford, Lingard and Elanga to hit the ground running finally.

PREDICTION- Manchester United 3 - Leeds United 1

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT- Cristiano Ronaldo ( Manchester United), Jadon Sancho ( Manchester United), Raphinha (Leeds United)

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