Manchester United vs Leicester City

Old Trafford sets the stage for a high-stakes Premier League encounter between Manchester United and Leicester City.

Manchester United’s mini-revival under interim boss Ruud van Nisterlooy culminated with a 2-0 home win against PAOK in midweek UEFA Europa League action, getting them off the mark in Europe’s second-tier competition after a three-game winless start (D3). The Red Devils have won two of their three competitive outings since Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, except for a 1-1 home league draw against Chelsea last time out. That result bookended the club’s worst ten-match start in the Premier League era (W3, D3, L4), keeping them in the lower reaches at the beginning of this round. Leicester’s visit should bolster United’s spirits, considering they thrashed this opposition 5-2 in the EFL Cup on Van Nisterlooy’s touchline debut to make it six wins from their last eight competitive H2Hs at home (D1, L1).

On the other hand, Leicester City’s form has plummeted after back-to-back league wins on either side of October’s international break, with Steve Cooper’s side going winless in their last three competitive matches (D1, L2). A 1-1 draw at fellow newcomers Ipswich Town a week ago maintained Leicester’s topsy-turvy away league form (D2, L2). It was their first Premier League fixture on the road to have featured under 2.5 goals, highlighting the potential for a high-scoring affair. Worryingly for Cooper, his men have conceded 2+ goals on four of their five top-flight travels this season, which has been the case on their last two visits to Old Trafford (L2).