Manchester United Predicted XI vs Leeds United: Edinson Cavani set to return to the squad for the visit of Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites

Manchester United face fierce rivals Leeds United in the Premier League for the first time since 2004 on Sunday as they look to increase their unbeaten run in the top-flight to seven matches. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side made it five wins from six matches on Thursday with a 3-2 win at Sheffield United and know another victory could see them move as high as second by the end of the weekend – if results go their way.

Marcelo Bielsa’s energetic side will not make it easy though, as they go in search of their second win of the week having beaten Newcastle United 5-2 at Elland Road on Wednesday.

United are chasing the top-four.

If the Whites are to make it six points from a possible six in recent days then they will have to win at Old Trafford in the league for the first time since 1981.

Despite United being in good form in the top-flight this term they will be hoping to improve a home record which reads just one win and five points from six matches.

But who will Solskjaer pick to try and pick up three points at Old Trafford for just the second time this season..?

Here we predict the Manchester United starting XI to take on Leeds United on Sunday afternoon…

Goalkeeper:

Dean Henderson was given an opportunity between the sticks against his former loan club, Sheffield United on Thursday and redeemed himself with some fine work after making a big error for the Blades’ goal. That mistake though will definitely see first-choice David De Gea, who kept a clean sheet in his last match against Man City, restored to the line-up for his 421st United game.

Defenders:

United conceded twice against Sheffield United to continue the trend of shipping goals but still winning games. However, prior to the thrilling win at the Blades, Solskjaer saw his side keep a credible clean sheet against Man City. With that in mind, the Norwegian boss is likely to revert back to the back-four which played that game, meaning Luke Shaw will come in for Alex Telles. Elsewhere, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire should continue to line up from right to left.

Midfielders:

Paul Pogba kept his place against Sheffield United and – after moving back into a more familiar midfield role – put in a passing masterclass to help his side record another victory. That should be more than enough for the Frenchman to keep his spot in the XI with Scott McTominay then man expected to come in to play alongside him at the expense of Nemanja Matic. Rounding off the midfield – and this won’t come as any surprise – will be Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker is the man the Red Devils look for to make something out of nothing and fans will hope he can add to his seven goals and four assists in the Premier League this term.

Forwards:

After coming through training unscathed on Friday, Edinson Cavani is ready to return to the United squad following injury. However, the Uruguayan will probably start from the bench with Anthony Martial filling the centre-forward position after scoring his first Premier League goal of the season on Thursday. Marcus Rashford, who struck a brilliant brace against the Blades, will be out in search of his 13th goal of the season in all competitions, while Mason Greenwood is ready to continue on the right side of attack.

Predicted Manchester United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire Shaw; Pogba, McTominay, Fernandes; Greenwood, Rashford, Martial.