After a midweek UEFA Europa League jaunt against Barcelona ended in a respectable 2-2 draw, attention quickly switches back to the Premier League (PL) for Manchester United.

The more optimistic United fans may you they find themselves on the fringes of a tell title race as they are just five points off top-spot ahead of the round, though boss Erik ten Hag has been reluctant to label his side as contenders.

You’d back United to at least keep up the pressure on Manchester City and Arsenal with another three-point haul against Leicester City given they’ve won 13 of their last 14 home games in all competitions (D1). United also won the reverse fixture 1-0, though that is their only win across their last six H2Hs (D2, L3), raising some doubts over whether they can complete a first league double over Leicester since 2019/20.

Coming from a goal down to thump Tottenham 4-1 last time out helped alleviate growing fears that Leicester could get sucked into a relegation battle. That victory marked the second game in succession that Leicester came from behind to win in the PL having also done so against Villa the match prior, which should boost confidence of extending their two-game unbeaten league run at Old Trafford (W1, D1) even if they fall behind.

The hosts will be heavy favourites having not lost a domestic home game since the opening weekend of the season.

You’d have to go back to the mid-70s for the last time Leicester enjoyed a longer unbeaten run at Old Trafford, and while another victory would extend that, it would also mark their first trio of consecutive PL successes since January 2021. Four goals in those two prior wins has eased the pressure on boss Brendan Rodgers, and it’s just as well the Foxes are free scoring because they haven’t kept a league clean sheet since the World Cup restart!

Players to watch: You can’t keep Marcus Rashford out the goals at the moment, and after netting at the Camp Nou, United’s premier goalscorer returns to Old Trafford where he has netted in six successive PL home games. Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho has proved equally as influential of late, having a hand in five goals across the Foxes’ last two league games (G2, A3).

Hot stat: Five of Leicester’s last six PL games officiated by Stuart Attwell have seen both sides score.

Despite their excellent form, especially at home, Man United have not looked great defensively in recent weeks, but they should get the three points here.

Leicester are seemingly completely revitalised since the return of Maddison though, and will fancy that they can continue their good run against United.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:

De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, Fred, Fernandes; Sancho, Weghorst, Rashford

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Ward; Castagne, Souttar, Faes, Kristiansen; Mendy, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison; Tete, Iheanacho, Barnes

Manchester United Premier League form:

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Manchester United form (all competitions):

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Leicester City Premier League form:

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Leicester City form (all competitions):

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However, no clean sheets in any of their league games since the World Cup break suggests that their attackers need to remain on top of their game to win them points.

They do have a good record against Man United though, as Brendan Rodgers’s side have registered three wins and two draws in their last six meetings.

Another win here would end United’s 16-game unbeaten home run, as well as making it three consecutive league victories for the first time in over two years for Leicester.