Victor Lindelof tussles with Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho

United v Leicester: Your essential guide

Wednesday 11 September 2019 05:00

Manchester United's first home game in September pits us against Leicester City, who will visit Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 15:00 BST).

After the two-week international break, the Reds will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League before this season's European adventure begins with the visit of Astana next Thursday.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of our clash with the Foxes...

Video
Watch the highlights from last season's 2-1 home win over Leicester.

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
MUTV subscribers will be able to watch live dedicated build-up to the game from 13:30 BST, followed by live radio commentary. You can also follow our coverage on ManUtd.com and the Official App, where you can track live data and player statistics in the Match Centre.

WHICH TV CHANNEL IS IT ON IN THE UK?
This game will not be broadcast live on television in the UK due to the traditional Saturday 3pm blackout. As always, you can relive the match in full on MUTV from the following day.

 

WHAT'S OUR RECORD AGAINST LEICESTER LIKE?
There have been 128 previous competitive meetings between the clubs, and United hold the upper hand thanks to our 66 wins. Leicester have claimed 33 victories, while there have been 29 draws between the two sides. There have been 26 clashes in the Premier League era to date - the Reds have won 17, drawn seven and lost just two of those meetings. Last term, we had the honour of opening the Premier League season with a Friday-night clash against the Foxes at Old Trafford, winning 2-1 thanks to Paul Pogba's early penalty and Luke Shaw's first career goal. The reverse fixture at the King Power Stadium saw Marcus Rashford score the only goal in the ninth minute, earning us a 1-0 win in early February.

WHO'S LEICESTER'S MANAGER?
Former Liverpool and Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers took over the reins at the King Power Stadium in February after the sacking of Claude Puel. After losing his first match in charge, away to his former club Watford, Rodgers inspired a revival which saw the Midlands outfit win their next four league games. They ended the campaign strongly, beating Arsenal 3-0, running Manchester City close at the Etihad Stadium in a 1-0 defeat and finishing with a goalless draw at home to UEFA Europa League winners Chelsea. The Northern Irishman moved to the East Midlands after guiding Celtic to consecutive domestic trebles and since his appointment, only Liverpool (40) and Manchester City (37) have taken more Premier League points than the Foxes' 25 (data source: Opta).

Brendan Rodgers was appointed Leicester boss towards the end of last season.

FORM GUIDE
United have five points from our opening four Premier League games. The season got off to a brilliant start, with a 4-0 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford on 11 August. A 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux followed, before Crystal Palace came away with a late 2-1 win from their trip to Manchester in our last home game. Just before the international break, we drew 1-1 at Southampton, leaving us in eighth place in the table.

The visitors are one of three sides, along with Liverpool and Manchester City, who are still unbeaten in the Premier League in 2019/20. The Foxes drew 0-0 with Wolves and 1-1 at Chelsea in their opening two fixtures, before victories over Sheffield United and Bournemouth elevated them to third, their highest position since being crowned champions in 2016. Leicester's performances in the first month of the season were enough to see Rodgers nominated for the August Manager of the Month award, while a penalty shootout win at St James' Park in the Carabao Cup secured the Foxes a third-round tie against Luton Town.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jamie Vardy has been among the goals for Leicester, scoring twice in the win over the Cherries, including a stunning counter-attacking effort. Midfield playmaker James Maddison was called up to the England squad for their games against Bulgaria and Kosovo after a sparkling August, and youngster Harvey Barnes netted a Goal of the Month contender at Bramall Lane as Rodgers' attacking brand of football continues to bear fruit.

Jamie Vardy has been in red-hot form, scoring three times in the Foxes' first four games.

ANY NEW SIGNINGS?
Leicester completed most of their summer business early on, with Youri Tielemans – who impressed while on loan at the King Power Stadium last season – being the headline capture from Monaco. The Foxes boosted their firepower by bringing Ayoze Perez in from Newcastle United, while Luton Town’s promising right-back James Justin was snapped up at the beginning of the window. Rodgers further augmented his midfield options with the signing of Belgium international Dennis Praet on deadline day.

Of course, Harry Maguire was the visitors' major summer departure, but Foxes fans also said a fond farewell to two survivors of the 2015/16 title-winning team in Shinji Okazaki and Danny Simpson. Okazaki joined Spanish side Huesca, while former United defender Simpson is still looking for a club after the expiration of his Leicester contract. Andy King, who made 25 appearances during that campaign, was loaned out to Glasgow Rangers.

WHAT’S THE LATEST TEAM NEWS?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will give an update on team news when he faces the media on Friday, but Eric Bailly and Tim Fosu-Mensah are still out with long-term knee injuries. Luke Shaw missed out on a reunion with former club Southampton after suffering a hamstring injury during the Crystal Palace match and Anthony Martial also sat out the trip to the south coast with a thigh problem. Diogo Dalot is yet to make an appearance this season after undergoing treatment for a hip injury. Paul Pogba, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jesse Lingard all pulled out of their international squads last week and returned to the club to be assessed by the medical staff.

The visitors have a relatively clean bill of health, with long-term absentees Daniel Amartey and Matty James the only players confirmed as definitely ruled out of the trip to Manchester. Amartey hasn't played since breaking his ankle in October, while James was restricted to a single FA Cup appearance last term thanks to an Achilles problem which has dogged him since March 2018. Club captain Wes Morgan, who has featured just once in the league so far, may return after missing the win over Bournemouth with a back complaint.

WHO’S THE REFEREE?
Experienced referee Martin Atkinson will be the man with the whistle at Old Trafford. The Yorkshireman has been officiating in the Premier League since 2005 and takes charge of his first United match since the 1-1 draw with Chelsea in April. Lee Betts and Constantine Hatzidakis will run the line on Saturday, while Jarred Gillett is the fourth official. Stuart Attwell will be the Video Assistant Referee, with Peter Kirkup assisting him.

Atkinson has awarded two penalties in his four Premier League games this season.

RIVALS WATCH
Our match is one of five in the Premier League which begins at 15:00 BST on Saturday. Liverpool host Newcastle earlier in the day, with Manchester City visiting Norwich in the late game. There are also two clashes on Sunday and Monday Night Football returns. Here is the full list of fixtures:

SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
Liverpool v Newcastle United (12:30 BST)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Burnley
Manchester United v Leicester City
Sheffield United v Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea
Norwich City v Manchester City (17:30 BST)

SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
AFC Bournemouth v Everton (14:00 BST)
Watford v Arsenal (16:30 BST)

MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER
Aston Villa v West Ham United (20:00 BST)

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