Now comes the time to really see if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the right man for the Manchester United job or not. Obviously they were going to drop points eventually, and the important question to be answered here is- how will Solskjaer get his team to respond to it? Inevitably, his side will lose a game as well, and it will be telling to see how they react and recover to that.
United rallied back late from 2-0 deficit at home against Burnley in midweek, salvaging a draw and a point in injury time. Now they head to the King Power Stadium to take on a Leicester City side that seem to rise up against the big boys. The Foxes will head into this fixture brimming with confidence, having just earned a point against table toppers Liverpool in mid-week.
United are hopeful that newly minted man Anthony Martial will be available for selection again after missing Tuesday night’s stalemate due to a slight knock he suffered in training. The club announced a five year contract extension for the Frenchman earlier today.
Defender Marcos Rojo continues his long road back to action, with the latest rehabilitation timeline projecting a return somewhere in mid to late February. Midfielder Marouane Fellaini is thought to be absent for this one due to a minor calf strain.
For the hosts, Daniel Amartey is sidelined until March because of a broken ankle. Otherwise manager Claude Puel should have a fully fit squad to select from.
Manchester United at Leicester City FC FYIs
Kickoff: Sunday, February 3, 2pm, King Power Stadium
Google Result Probability: United win 46%, Draw 28%, Leicester City win 26%
Form Guide: Leicester City WLLLD, Manchester United WWWWD
Odds: Manchester United 19/20, Draw 13/5, Leicester 13/5
MUFC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Prediction: Manchester United 2, Leicester City 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.