Premier League Preview: Man Utd vs Leeds team news and prediction

 

Manchester United welcome Leeds to Old Trafford in the Premier League for the first time since 2004, albeit marred by the absence of supporters for such a mouth-watering fixture.

 

Marcelo Bielsa has winning experience away to United having left the Theatre of Dreams with a win with his unknown Athletic Club side in the Europa League eight years ago.

 

Ahead of such a pivotal fixture at the top end of the Premier League table, we have all your need to know match information in one place, including kick-off times, where you can watch it all your team news.

 

When is kick off?
Sunday 20th December, 16:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Old Trafford, Manchester
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League

 

 

Team Form

 

Manchester United are coming off a 3-2 victory away to Sheffield United where they once again came from behind to win. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have a perfect record on the road but it's on home soil where they desperately need to improve. United have only won one of six Premier League home matches this season with just three goals scored in the process.

 

Leeds will be full of confidence after thrashing Newcastle 5-2 in midweek and they have also enjoyed two extra days rest compared to United. Marcelo Bielsa's side have won three and lost three of their away league matches this season. There is no middle ground for the newly promoted side.

 

Team News

 

Manchester United have a relatively full squad available now Edinson Cavani is back in training and expected to make the squad. Donny van de Beek is an option to start due to his counter-pressing ability, as he did against Southampton, but Paul Pogba deserves the nod ahead of him on form. Scott McTominay and Fred were rested in midweek with this game in mind, while Luke Shaw and David de Gea will also return. Mason Greenwood will drop out if United go with two up front. David

 

Bielsa may not deviate too much from the side that beat Newcastle given they have ample time to recover for this match. Pablo Hernandez registered two assists from the bench against the Magpies but may have to settle for a place on the bench once again.

 

Probable XIs

 

Premier League Preview: Man Utd vs Leeds team news and prediction

 

Man Utd (4312): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred, Pogba; Fernandes; Rashford, Martial

 

Leeds (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski; Phillips; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Klich, Harrison; Bamford

 

Key Battle: Marcus Rashford vs Patrick Bamford

 

Gareth Southgate may well have a vested interest in this one, though there is no doubt in his mind Marcus Rashford is a key member of his England squad. Nonetheless, a strong showing from the Leeds striker will strengthen his case for a senior call-up. Bamford has nine goals in 13 league appearances this season, with seven of those falling in six away matches. The 27-year-old has missed more clear-cut chances than any other player in the division ahead of gameweek 14, however, and will need to sharpen up.

 

Rashford, meanwhile, is coming into the weekend in good form after grabbing a brace in the midweek win over Sheffield United. The England international is yet to score at home in the Premier League but did grab his first senior hat-trick on this ground against RB Leipzig in the Champions League group stage.

 

Prediction: Man Utd 2-3 Leeds

Premier League Preview: Man Utd vs Leeds team news and prediction