Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern are delighted with the start their side has made to the new season and they’re already dreaming of a Premier League title.
Jose Mourinho’s side have stormed to the top of the table at the early stage of the new season, boasting two 4-0 victories against West Ham United and Swansea City. However, they’ll be aware bigger challenges await.
Hosting Leicester City at Old Trafford this weekend means that Mourinho’s side will have to up their game against a Foxes outfit that seem to have made progress from their struggles last season.
Another storming victory will give Manchester United a solid standing heading into the early season international break and the Red Devils will be the favourites on home soil this weekend- especially as they can boast a very strong line-up.
Expect an array of stars to be selected by Jose Mourinho’s side for this weekend’s clash with Leicester City, in a team that will surely be able to maintain Manchester United’s 100% winning start to the season.
Hit the navigation buttons below to see the XI Mourinho must select this weekend!
GK: David De Gea
Choosing a goalkeeper at Manchester United is easy these days as it will take a catastrophe for David De Gea not to be selected between the sticks. Yet to concede a goal in the Premier League this season, the Spaniard is enjoying a fine campaign.
He’ll have to be at his best against Leicester City though as the Foxes have seen the likes of Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki shine so far this season, with the latter having found the net early on in both of Leicester’s opening games.
RB: Antonio Valencia
The right-back position at Manchester United is seemingly the weakest in the squad and that means that Antonio Valencia is likely to continue playing on the right-hand side, a position he’s made his own over the course of the past year.
Leicester’s blistering pace down the flanks will certainly keep the Ecuadorian ace on his toes and he’ll have to be at his best to keep Craig Shakespeare’s side at bay- although that’s easier said than done.
CB: Eric Bailly
The Ivorian defender is a key figure in Manchester United’s future and his position in the defensive line is certainly there to be fought for, as Jose Mourinho has shown his intentions to rotate this season; either playing Bailly alongside Phil Jones or selecting Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling.
Bailly’s pace will be vital this weekend when up against Jamie Vardy, a player who looks to be back to his best this season, but he should be able to emerge victorious once again.
CB: Phil Jones
As mentioned, Jose Mourinho has stuck to using Eric Bailly and Phil Jones rather than bed summer signing Victor Lindelof into the side, as well as Chris Smalling, instead electing to use the latter duo as an alternative defensive partnership.
We may find that Lindelof and Smalling are used for the Champions League clashes but expect no changes from the defence this weekend, with Phil Jones partnering Bailly at the heart of the defensive line.
LB: Daley Blind
With Luke Shaw still out on the sidelines due to injury, and unlikely to return for a while, Dutchman Daley Blind will remain on the left-side of the defensive line for this weekend’s hosting of Leicester City.
The World Cup finalist hasn’t always shown the best of his ability during his time at Old Trafford but seems to have improved this season, potentially making it difficult for Shaw to secure an immediate return to the line-up,
CM: Nemanja Matic
Summer signing Nemanja Matic has stood out as a key figure in the Manchester United line-up following his transfer from Chelsea and the Serbian ace has returned to his finest form, providing the Red Devils with a huge boost in the title race.
Questions will continue to be asked regarding Chelsea’s decision to sell Matic but it’s certainly worked in the favour of Manchester United, as the experienced midfielder could provide the catalyst to push the Red Devils towards Premier League glory.
CM: Juan Mata
The Spanish ace was expected to find himself out of the set-up when Jose Mourinho took charge, as the Portuguese boss sold him at Chelsea, but Mata has instead established himself as a key-player within the Red Devils’ midfield.
In a more deeper role, Mata can provide the link between defence and attack whilst his midfield partner Matic mops up the danger and pounces on any loose balls. Between them, they’ll be a nightmare for Leicester.
RW: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The Armenian impressed in his debut season in the Premier League but hasn’t quite hit the heights he did during his time at Borussia Dortmund. With the Champions League returning to Old Trafford this season though, he’ll have a chance to rekindle the best of his form.
Against Leicester, Mkhitaryan will be key to causing the Foxes’ defensive line problems and can exploit Craig Shakespeare’s side on the counter-attack, which is potentially a route to victory for the Red Devils.
CAM: Paul Pogba
Relatively inconsistent during his debut season in the Premier League, Paul Pogba has shown the best of his ability in the opening weeks of this season and the new additions in the side have certainly led to immense improvements.
The French international has shone in the opening weeks, boasting two goals in as many appearances, and he’ll be confident of continuing his fine form against Leicester City in this weekend’s crunch tie.
LW: Anthony Martial
Following an impressive performance off the bench against Swansea City last weekend, where the former Monaco man sealed the victory with a superbly taken goal, Anthony Martial is pushing for a start ahead of the Leicester clash.
The 21-year-old could be a better option this weekend than Marcus Rashford due to his natural ability on the left-hand side, whereas his English counterpart would be utilised out of position and would perhaps not be as effective.
ST: Romelu Lukaku
A superb start to life at Old Trafford has seen Romelu Lukaku score in all of his appearances for Manchester United so far, including in the defeat to Real Madrid in the European Super Cup that took place before the opening Premier League weekend.
Lukaku has already started to prove his worth following his mega transfer from Everton and the Belgian striker is expected to fill the void left by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s departure, already looking on course to eclipse the veteran’s 28-goal haul from last term.
