Man United v Leicester City: Predicted Red Devils XI against struggling Foxes

Manchester United host Leicester City on Thursday evening in the final match of gameweek five in the Premier League. 

Erik ten Hag’s side have recovered from a nightmare start to the season – which started with defeats to both Brighton and Brentford – by beating Liverpool and Southampton.

Now, United face a Leicester side that have failed to win any of their first four matches, picking up just a single point.

Here, we predict the Xi that Ten Hag may select for the visit of The Foxes.

Goalkeeper

David de Gea had a nightmare tart to the season, and was at fault for two of Brentford’s goals in The Bees’ 4-0 win, but he kept his first clean sheet of the season against Saints on Saturday and will be hoping to add to that tally on Thursday. Martin Dubravka is expected to be announced as a United player in the coming days, with a loan deal from Newcastle close to being agreed.

Defenders

At the back, Ten Hag could continue with an unchanged back four, with Diogo Dalot at right back. The Portuguese has been an ever present so far this season, and appears to be some way ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Dalot is set to continue at right-back

In the middle, Raphael Varane is likely to partner Lisandro Martinez. The pair have started both of United’s last two alongside one another, with Harry Maguire having been dropped to the bench following the 4-0 humiliation a the hands of Brentford.

On the left, Tyrell Malacia is expected to once again be preferred to Luke Shaw, who was also dropped after the defeat to The Bees and hasn’t played a single minute since.

Midfielders

New signing Casemiro is in line for his first start for the club, having came on for a late cameo against Southampton on Saturday. The midfielder is likely to take the place of Scott McTominay. The Brazilian brings a wealth of experience to Ten Hag’s side, and got off to winning ways on Saturday.

Casemiro is in line for his first United start

Christian Eriksen is expected to start once again, and will be looking to score his first goal for United since joining from Brentford over the summer.

Bruno Fernandes, fresh from scoring the winner at St. Mary’s on Saturday, will be deployed in the advanced midfield role to complete United’s trio. The Portuguese has been out of form over the past few months, but will be hoping to get back on track against a struggling Leicester side.

Forwards

Cristiano Ronaldo could return to the United starting line up, with Ten Hag having confirmed that the Portuguese will stay put in Manchester beyond Thursday’s transfer deadline. The 37-year-old has only started one game this season and is yet to score, but few would bet against him finding the net if he is chosen to start on Thursday. Anthony Martial will miss the game through injury.

Rashford and Ronaldo are expected to start against Leicester

Marcus Rashford is likely to continue on the left of United’s front three. The England international scored against Liverpool and has started all four games so far this season.

Rashford’s international teammate Jadon Sancho is expected to start on the right once again, having also started all four games so far. The ex-Borussia Dortmund man also netted in the Red Devils’ win over Liverpool, but has struggled in general since returning to Manchester to join United and will be looking to put together a good run of form.

Predicted XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Fernandes, Eriksen; Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford