Manchester United v Leicester City: Premier League – live | premier league
Key events
The players are in the tunnel, the Stone Roses are on the tannoy. It’s business time.
“The Premier League has shown that only money matters” says Jeff Sax, “and they’ll find a way to let Qatar buy Man Utd…just like they let Saudi Arabia buy Newcastle. Enjoy the game.”
Well, I was hoping until this email.
“Good to see Ten Hag not moaning about United having less recovery time before this game than their opponents,” says Rick Harris. “Having said that, it’s clearly an advantage for Leicester that United had to play just 65 hours ago in Spain against the La Liga leaders. If United take all three points then they are definitely in the hunt for the title.
You have to think that the schedule will eventually catch up with United. My only criticism of ten Hag this season (should I put the T, like with Van Dijk, when I’m not using his first name?) is that he hasn’t turned enough in the easier cup matches. Casemiro v Reading FHS.
“Mr. Inbetween…what a sight!” said Ronan O’Brien. “I thought I was the only one who liked it.”
This might be my favorite show since The Sopranos. And as someone who aspires to write something decent one day, the story behind it is truly inspiring – no artistic compromise at all, married with a complete lack of pretension.
United have two huge games to come: Barcelona in the Europa League on Thursday, then Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final a week today. Here are some appetite whetters from the archives.
“It’s funny how Maddison is a critical darling, unlike another player (Mr Martial) who also appears for a while, does well, but then gets injured for twice as long,” says Duncan Edwards. “On that note, if Martial is fit to face Barca next week, will Ten Hag save him for the Carabao final instead?”
It’s a bit tough for Maddison – he has played 53 games as the season! I think it’s quite wonderful. As for Martial, God knows: it looks like he hasn’t been 100% fit all season, so I think he will be at best on the bench. I would start Rashford ahead of Barcelona; not sure about Newcastle as they will defend deep but then Wembley is a big ground.
The word of the managers
It’s a great interview with new Leicester centre-back Harry Souttar, who has been through extreme emotions over the past six months: he played at the World Cup and moved to the Premier League, but those career highs have been overshadowed by the death of his brother Aaron from motor neurone disease.
On the vague topic of Australia and Motor Neurone Disease, I can’t recommend the Mr Inbetween TV show highly enough. The performance of Nicholas Cassim, who plays someone with MND, is among the best actors I have ever seen.
Imagine coming down from the Glazers
Team News
Erik ten Hag makes five changes from Barcelona’s draw on Thursday. Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Marcel Sabitzer and Alejandro Garnacho replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro and Jadon Sancho.
Leicester, as you would expect from such a sparkling team, are unchanged.
Manchester United (possible 4-2-3-1) of Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, Fred; Fernandes, Weghorst, Garnacho; Rashford.
Replacements: Heaton, Malacia, Varane, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, McTominay, Pellistri, Elanga, Sancho.
Leicester City (4-2-3-1) Room; Castagne, Souttar, Faes, Kristiansen; Mendy, Dewsbury-Hall; Head, Maddison, Barnes; Iheanacho.
Replacements: Iverson, Ricardo, Amartey, Ndidi, Soumare, Tielemans, Praet, Daka, Vardy.
Arbitrator Craig Pawson.
Preamble
Well, is Manchester United in this title race or what? They are eight points behind leaders Arsenal, but if they beat Leicester today they will be just three behind Manchester City, the team most people consider the favorites to win the league.
Most logic, and all instinct, suggests it’s too much, too soon, especially with a thinned-out team and an imminent pile-up of luminaries. Even so, it is an extraordinary feat for Erik ten Hag to have United sitting comfortably in third place, especially after such a devilish start to the season. And if they somehow become champions, he will be immortal.
All United can do is keep winning and see where it takes them. It won’t be easy this afternoon against a Leicester side who – surprise, surprise – have been rejuvenated by the return of James Maddison. They have scored eight goals in their last two league games, and their front four from Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Tete and Kelechi Iheanacho will give United’s defense a good test today. Erik didn’t want it any other way.
To start up 2 p.m.
theguardian Gt
