'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United are winless in their last two Premier League outings as they take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
For Manchester United, a fortnight muddied by slander and marinated in impatience has taken its sweet time to pass them by. As the cloud dissipates, many would be surprised to learn that the Red Devils are still just two points off the top.
It beggars belief, really, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spent enough time at Old Trafford long enough to know adequately about the severe shifts in tides. It has not been smooth sailing thus far but for a unit that did not have a proper pre-season, the wobbling seems pretty much a part of the script.
But we are past that now and the benefit of the doubt won't be generously extended much beyond this point by even the most ardent fans. Manchester United need a win and they need it badly.
Leicester City are no pushovers and the Red Devils are well aware of that. Amid mounting injury concerns, Solskjaer leads his side into a testing set of fixtures which could potentially decide his future as Manchester United manager.
Without further ado, let's take a look at how Manchester United could line up against Leicester City on Saturday.
Manchester United Possible Starting XI vs Leicester City
Goalkeeper - David de Gea
David de Gea may have kept only one cleansheet in nine appearances across all competitions so far this term. However, the fact of the matter is that he has kept Manchester United in several games with his goalscoring heroics.
Demoted to second-choice towards the back end of last season, De Gea has taken his spot back, albeit owing to Dean Henderson's absence through injury. He has been in fine touch and will guard the sticks for Solskjaer's men on Saturday.
Right-back - Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron 'Spiderman' Wan-Bissaka will start at right-back for Manchester United. He has performed well in all three games since being sent off in the Champions League game against Villarreal. They will need him to be a bit more enterprising in the final third, though.
Centre-back - Eric Bailly
Raphael Varane is set to be sidelined for the rest of the month after suffering a groin injury in the UEFA Nations League final against Spain. This leaves Manchester United a bit bare at the back and they will need to depend on the mercurial Eric Bailly.
If he can keep those mistakes at bay, Bailly has enough quality to take over in the meantime.
Centre-back - Victor Lindelof
Manchester United rely on their centre-backs to carry the ball forward and play the ball through the lines. Lindelof has proven to be good at doing that and will need to fill in for captain Harry Maguire, who is still recovering from an injury.
Left-back - Luke Shaw
The obvious choice at left-back, Luke Shaw, is yet to hit the heights of his 2020-21 campaign. But his kind of quality will shine through inevitably and Manchester United's game will greatly improve once he hits his stride. Solskjaer will be hoping that Shaw returns to his best against the Foxes.
Defensive midfielder - Nemanja Matic
With Fred unlikely to make it back after starting for Brazil in a World Cup Qualifier against Uruguay on Thursday, Nemanja Matic is set to return to the starting lineup. The 33-year-old may be well past his prime but he is still United's best player when it comes to passing through the lines.
Manchester United have suffered in the absence of the Serbian international's progressive passing. Solskjaer will also want to see how a double pivot of Matic and McTominay could work for them.
Defensive midfielder - Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay will need to lead the press in midfield and try not to let the Leicester City midfield have too much time on the ball. The Scottish international scored a vital last-minute goal for Scotland against Israel in the international break and should be feeling confident.
He has to sort out his vision in central midfield though. McTominay has been caught in possession multiple times and he has reportedly been working on improving his positioning and spatial awareness.
He will be allowed more freedom to roam than Nemanja Matic at the base of midfield and will look to arrive late into the box when United are attacking.
Attacking midfielder - Bruno Fernandes
Arguably the first name on the teamsheet, Bruno Fernandes has been in great touch so far this season. He turned in a solid performance against Everton and Solskjaer will be asking for more of the same from his attacking midfielder.
The Portuguese international scored a goal as Portugal drowned Luxembourg in their latest FIFA World Cup Qualifier. Fernandes will be key to unlocking the Leicester City defence on Saturday.
Left-winger - Paul Pogba
Manchester United fans will want to see more of Jadon Sancho, with the youngster showing glimpses of just how effective he can be in recent weeks. He had a good international break as well but is likely to come off the bench on Satuday.
Paul Pogba, with the freedom to roam in the attacking realms, is one of Manchester United's best weapons going forward. He produced a mesmerizing performance in the season opener against Leeds United and could try to do the same here again.
It might not be his original position but he has proven to be really effective down the left flank. In the second-half, Solskjaer could choose to pull him back into midfield in place of Matic and introduce Sancho to inject some pace into their attack.
Right-winger - Mason Greenwood
Mason Greenwood's final product has been lacking in recent weeks. But his ball-carrying ability and unpredictability in the final third makes him a threat to any defence. However, he needs to make better decisions in the final third.
He has tried to shoot far too many times when he should have laid the ball off to a teammate. Greenwood is a striker and has a mean strike in him. You can't really fault him for going for goal but since he has been playing down the flanks, he needs to show more composure in and around the area.
He is likely to go up against Ryan Bertrand, who hasn't been in great form. Greenwood could always give way to Marcus Rashford in the second half.
Striker - Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo started the game against Everton on the bench. It was understandable given that he had played the length of almost every single game up until that point. Ronaldo has had a great international break. He managed to take his international goal tally to 115, scoring four goals in two matches.
The Portuguese international hasn't been at his very best but he is still extremely effective up top for Manchester United. With Edinson Cavani unlikely to return in time from international duty for the game on Saturday, Ronaldo is a sure-shot starter against the Foxes.
He will need to be more involved in the build-up play. Ronaldo will be hoping for better service from the wings as his aerial ability is almost unmatched. He has already scored five goals in six appearances for Manchester United so far this term.
