The last match of the short-lived Ruud van Nistelrooy era at Manchester United takes place on Sunday and ends as it started: at home to Leicester City.
By Karl Matchett
The Foxes visited Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup a few weeks ago and the Red Devils managed to shrug off the long-overdue exit of Erik ten Hag with a win; that fixture sparked a three-game unbeaten run so far and Van Nistelrooy will be eager to sign off by making it four, ahead of Rúben Amorim joining during the international break. With just two places and two points between the teams ahead of kick-off though, that’s still easier said than done for a United side which is set for yet more upheaval.
Inconsistent at home against poor travellers
Despite the recent improvement in results, United can’t exactly point to a body of work which screams “home three points”. A few weeks ago we noted here about their historical home form; it’s now more than 11 months since they won back-to-back league fixtures at Old Trafford in the same season. They’ve won just one of the last four on home soil in the Premier League and three of the last 11 in all competitions.
Leicester are without a win in three themselves, but rescued an injury-time draw last weekend at Ipswich following defeat to two of the Premier League’s top three beforehand. Wins are hard to come by on the road for the Foxes though; even dating back into last term in the Championship, it’s only three wins in 13 across all competitions.
Team news
No real change for Man United in terms of injuries means a continually stretched defence, with Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia sidelined. Kobbie Mainoo is also out and Amad Diallo needs a fitness check after scoring twice and being subbed off in midweek. Leicester are missing Patson Daka and Jakub Stolarczyk but should otherwise be at full strength.
Key players starting to fire?
There’s no doubting United’s key pair at the moment, with André Onana remaining in fine form at one end and Bruno Fernandes finally having more impact at the other. It remains incredible that nobody other than Alejandro Garnacho (two goals) has scored more than once for United in the league this term, but Fernandes netted his first of the campaign from the penalty spot last time out and claimed an assist against Brentford two games prior. As he’s top of United’s charts for xG (3.8), big chances created (7), chances created (15) and xA (1.8) he’s the one they need to maximise when confidence is flowing. That said, he only ranks in the top dozen Premier League players in one of those areas (big chances) which only underlines how poor United have been.
While Leicester’s must be a team-wide approach to earn a result, Facundo Buonanotte is the one to watch, being first or second for chances created (14), big chances (4), goals and assists (5), shots per 90 (2.8) and possession won in the final third (1.3).
Prediction
United might feel they’re on the cusp of a new dawn and scraping a win here will add to the momentum.
United 2-1 Leicester.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every Premier League game with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.