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Manchester determined to be back in the victory path


Bangladeshpost
Published : 13 Sep 2019 08:32 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 07:45 AM

Manchester United will be desperate for a return to winning ways when they take on Leicester City at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday, write agencies.

Despite youngsters Daniel James and Mason Greenwood both impressing, the dearth of goalscoring maturity in the last game prompted many to highlight whether United's decision to sell Romelu Lukaku and loan Alexis Sanchez during the transfer window may have left them short in that department. Another area where United feel light is the midfield, which has struggled for consistent tempo in all four games so far this term. Indeed, following the club's decision to sell and not replace Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini over the summer, the quintet available to Solskjaer comprises of Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Fred, Andreas Pereira and Nemanja Matic.

For a season which is likely to contain over 50 games, United supporters may worry that their team does not have the mileage nor the quality in that area necessary to play at a consistently high enough level over a nine-month period in order to challenge for Champions League football next season.

The meeting with Leicester, whose squad seems more balanced and energised than United's, will serve as a useful indicator of whether the current crop of players at Solskjaer's disposal are indeed capable of improving on their sixth place finish last season.

If United are a team heading backwards, Leicester deserve to be recognised as a team heading inexorably in the right direction under Brendan Rodgers. Since taking over from Claude Puel in February, Rodgers has imposed his high-pressing, counter-attacking style on this Leicester team to devastating effect, energising the midfield and placing more emphasis on attacking the space in behind defenders for Jamie Vardy to exploit.

The Foxes find themselves in third place in the Premier League table after four games - only Manchester City and Liverpool, once again the pacesetters for the division, are ahead of them - and their performances merit that standing.

Following hard-fought draws against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea, Leicester have been good value for their wins over Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth during which Vardy claimed three goals - including a sumptuous chip against the latter. Indeed, while Vardy has continued to impress, perhaps it is the midfield where Leicester can rightly feel they most notably eclipse United at this moment in time. Wilfred Ndidi has looked very solid in defensive midfield, while Youri Tielemans - signed for £40m over the summer - and James Maddison, who is going from strength to strength, are enjoying excellent starts to the season.