Afternoon all. So, after a break for the FA Cup, the Premier League is back. Here, we will be covering two teams that scored eight goals between them when they met at the King Power Stadium back in September -
Manchester United and
Leicester City. Let's hope for similar entertainment today.
First of all, the team news from Old Trafford has just been released. Let's begin with a look at hosting United's starting lineup...
MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Shaw; Blind, Januzaj, Di Maria, Rooney; Van Persie, Falcao
MAN UNITED SUBS: Valdes, McNair, Smalling, Fellaini, Herrera, Mata, Wilson
It's been difficult to second guess Louis van Gaal this season, but it seems very much that the United manager has gone for a 4-4-2 formation today, potentially with a diamond in midfield. There are three changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Cambridge United, with the injured Michael Carrick dropping out alongside Marouane Fellaini and young striker James Wilson. Skipper Wayne Rooney,
Robin van Persie and left-back Luke Shaw are all recalled.
And now let's take a look at visiting Leicester...
LEICESTER XI: Schwarzer; Simpson, Wasilewski, Morgan, De Laet; Drinkwater, King, Vardy, Schlupp; Ulloa, Kramaric
LEICESTER SUBS: Hamer, Konchesky, Upson, Hammond, Albrighton, Cambiasso, Nugent
The headline news for the Foxes is that record signing Andrej Kramari has been given his first Premier League start by manager Nigel Pearson. He will partner Leonardo Ulloa up front, while Jamie Vardy, who was fantastic when these teams met back in September, will feature out wide.
Marcin Wasilewski has come back into the side at centre-back, with former Man United trialist Jeff Schlupp also starting.
And here is that Leicester side in graphic form, courtesy of their official Twitter feed:
Of course, all the talk heading into this encounter was about Leicester's
5-3 win towards the start of the season.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Van Gaal said: "As a top club you have to control the match and when you are in a good result like 3-1 you have to control the match and you have to play and finish the match but that time we don't finish the match and when we conceded the second goal then we were as a team not playing in our team organisation any more.
"That we have to keep in mind always that we have to play in a team organisation in the game plan. We have to improve that. Against Leicester City we played in the first half a good match, a match takes 90 minutes so you have to play 90 minutes good and not 45 or 60 minutes because it can happen always what we have experienced with Leicester City."
Meanwhile, Leicester boss Pearson has insisted that he is not dwelling on that result and he is hoping that neither will his players:
"I think the best thing for us to do is concentrate on what we are doing at the moment. I don't know if it has affected anything. It obviously has as the question has been asked," he told reporters.
"I don't spend much time looking at those angles. The game at our place was a very good result for us, we had a very good second half and scored at vital times."
VIDEO PREVIEW: Right, you've read what the two managers have had to say, but what about the
Sports Mole Sofa? Here, Matt Law and Pascal Lemesre pore over this fixture, with both predicting a home win:
Away from the football for a moment, some United fans have been paying tribute to those that lost their lives in the 1958 Munich air disaster. Eight Man United players were among the 23 people that lost their lives. The anniversary is on Friday, February 6.
There is big news for Leicester from the KC Stadium because Hull are currently losing 3-0 at home to Newcastle United with only stoppage time left to play. It means that if the Foxes can pull off a victory here, they will be off the bottom of the table come 5pm. That's got to be an extra incentive for Pearson's men.
And if you want to read how Newcastle earned that victory,
click here for our match report.
One selection issue Pearson had today was who was going to start in goal. In the absence of the injured Kasper Schmeichel, it had been Ben Hamer, but he has dropped out in favour of the recently-signed Mark Schwarzer, who is making his Premier League debut for Leicester.
Speaking about that decision just now, Pearson said: "[It was a] difficult decision in goal. Ben has done very well, [but] Mark gets the nod today. Strength in that position is beneficial for us."
Of course, Schwarzer will be coming up against some big names today in the form of Van Persie, Falcao and Rooney. Yet, they have not exactly been firing on all cylinders, particularly in recent weeks. United have scored 36 goals this season, which for a side with top four aspirations, is not enough.
When asked for the reasoning behind that, Van Gaal said: "We have been playing teams who put 10 men behind the ball and make space very narrow. We are working to increase our ball speed, the speed of our passing, to try and counteract that."
PREDICTION: So, who is going to win this one? All logic would point to United, but they've been somewhat unpredictable for large parts of the campaign. Having said that, if Van Gaal has reverted back to a diamond in midfield, it should free up Di Maria to find some much needed space. The Argentine will flourish if so and he has the ability to take the game away from Leicester almost on his own. Let's go 2-0 to United, with Di Maria and Van Persie on the scoresheet.
The players will shortly be making their way into the tunnel area at Old Trafford. One thing is for sure, it's rather chilly in Manchester. I fully expect plenty of gloves to be worn out on the pitch!
And here come both teams. Not long now until we are off and running. On reflection, this really is a big encounter for both sides, albeit for very different reasons. Let's hope that the quality on show reflects it!
STAT! A quick statistic - no doubt Leicester boss Pearson will be hoping for more of the same today.
KICKOFF! United's Di Maria and Van Persie get proceedings underway at Old Trafford. Big 90 minutes ahead.
It's clearly visible already that Van Gaal has plumped for a diamond in midfield, with Di Maria at the tip. Januzaj is left, with Rooney on the right. Daley Blind, meanwhile, is sitting at the base, looking to mop up any danger.
United have started rather brightly here as they look to get the ball into the feet of either Van Persie or Falcao whenever possible. They are yet to test the veteran Schwarzer in the Leicester goal, but Van Gaal is likely to be happy with what he has seen so far.
Sign of an understanding between United's front two? Falcao turns brilliantly 30 yards from goal and drives forward. The movement from Van Persie is sharp, but the Colombian's pass into him is slightly overhit and Morgan closes out the chance. Nevertheless, it's a positive piece of play between the two.
As for Leicester, they have barely ventured into United's half yet. Ulloa, playing as a lone frontman, is looking ever so isolated and will need some support if Leicester are going to find the net.
Still United dominate, but not for the first time in recent weeks, chances have been hard to come by so far. In fact, Schwarzer is yet to be forced into making a save. While all that possession is useful, it counts for little if few openings come from it.
Good stuff from Van Persie as he lets a pass from Valencia run across his body and all of a sudden he's in the penalty area. Rather than shooting himself, he plays in Falcao, but the Colombian cannot sort his feet out and Leicester clear.
CHANCE! At last, a chance, of sorts anyway! The ball drops to Di Maria 25 yards from goal and having controlled it on his chest, the Argentine loops a volley goalwards. It's always going over, but he receives a warm round of applause from the home fans, who must have been thinking that their side were not going to have a shot today!
CHANCE! And all of a sudden, Leicester could well be in front. It's a big mistake from Rooney as his intended pass for Valencia finds Schlupp, who bursts through on goal. However, under pressure from a retreating Valencia, the Leicester winger fires high, wide and not very handsome.
CHANCE! There's chances galore! Up the other end, Shaw breaks forward down the left flank and crosses for Van Persie. The Dutchman is usually so deadly with his left foot, but on this occasion his volley is not the cleanest and goes way off target.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 1-0 LEICESTER (VAN PERSIE)
Having missed a good chance with his left foot moments ago, Van Persie produces the goods with his supposedly weaker right boot. Kramaric hesitates in possession 40 yards from his own goal and Blind pounces. The midfielder then lifts a perfect pass over the visiting defence for Van Persie, who fires a half-volley into the corner of Schwarzer's net. That's a very good finish and United lead.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 2-0 LEICESTER (FALCAO)
United struggled to create chances for the opening part of this match, but now they have scored two goals within the space of five minutes. Schwarzer will not be happy that he's spilled Di Maria's low shot, but Falcao is alert and beats Morgan to the ball to slide it into an empty net. Is it game over? Remember, Leicester battled back from two goals down against United back in September, but surely they can't do it twice, can they?
BOOKING! It gets a little worse for Leicester as Drinkwater receive the game's first yellow card for a foul on Shaw over by the left touchline.
Leicester need something to happen here. For a start, they've got to start committing more men forward because they've not offered a threat. In fact, De Gea has hardly touched the ball. It could be a long second half if that continues.
STAT! And there are those that have accused Falcao of flopping...
GOAL! MAN UNITED 3-0 LEICESTER (MORGAN, OG)
And that should be game, set and the match to United. Rooney's corner from the left is flicked on into the danger area by Blind. Before he can react, the ball cannons off Morgan and flies into the back of the net. He knew little about it, but that has to go down as an own goal. 3-0 to the home side, who are cruising.
There will be one minute of stoppage time at the end of this first half.
HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 3-0 LEICESTER
There goes the whistle for the break and it's United that are in a commanding position with the second half to play.
It's not exactly been a vintage display from the hosts, yet they have been in total control. It took them a little while to get going, but as soon as Van Persie broke the deadlock, it seemed to release the shackles. The Dutchman has been lively, as have Di Maria and Falcao. Defensively they haven't been tested, although on occasions the odd wayward pass - with Rooney particularly guilty on one occasion - has given Leicester a chance.
As for Leicester, they set up to be defensive and were hoping for a point, but all that went out the window when Van Persie scored. From the first minute, Ulloa has been too isolated, with the likes of Vardy and Kramaric, who are meant to be in support of the Argentine, ineffective. Schlupp has perhaps been Leicester's most lively player, but too often the final pass from him has been poor. What will the message be from Pearson now? Score the next goal? Damage limitation might be more likely!
MATCH ACTION! Before we get back underway at Old Trafford, here is Van Persie celebrating his opening goal of the contest with Rooney and Januzaj.
RESTART! Leicester, who trail 3-0, get the action restarted at Old Trafford. They've made a change as well, with experienced midfielder Cambiasso replacing Vardy. He scored in the 5-3 remember.
It's been a bright start to the second half from Leicester as Drinkwater finds himself inside the United area. Ulloa is waiting for a tap-in, but the midfielder badly overhits his cross and the danger is easily cleared.
Meanwhile, up the other, Januzaj shows great quality as he drifts out wide and then drills in a low cross. Falcao shows good determination, but he cannot quite reach the ball and Schwarzer claims.
The game has now gone back into the same pattern as the first half, with United in control. Januzaj in particular has come to life. The youngster, who is believed to be a target of PSG, is consistently running at Simpson and looking to get crosses in whenever he can.
As there is a bit of a lull in this game, here's Falcao celebrating his goal, courtesy of United's official Twitter page:
A big opening for Leicester as a long clearance picks out Ulloa, who is away from Rojo. The United defender does well, though, as he gets himself back between Ulloa and the goal, before the Leicester striker loses his balance.
LEICESTER SUBS: A double change from Pearson as David Nugent and Marc Albrighton enter the action. They have taken the place of Kramaric and Ulloa.
Can United afford to let De Gea leave? Surely not. Jones's backpass is badly underhit on the right touchline and Nugent is away. However, as he tries to make a move on goal, United's Spanish goalkeeper sticks out a hand to block his route. Very good goalkeeping.
MAN UNITED SUB: First change of the afternoon for United and off comes Van Persie, who has been replaced by young defender Paddy McNair. How will that work? It seems that McNair goes to right-back, Valencia in midfield and Rooney up front.
MATCH ACTION! Here is the moment that Leicester defender Morgan put United 3-0 up.
MAN UNITED SUB: A second change for United and it's Valencia that comes off to be replaced by Juan Mata.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 3-1 LEICESTER (WASILEWSKI)
Is the comeback on? It's highly unlikely, but at least Leicester have got themselves on the scoresheet. It's a dangerous cross from Albrighton and leaping unmarked is Wasilewski, who nods the ball out of De Gea's reach. That will have bitterly annoyed Van Gaal because his side had looked so composed.
MAN UNITED SUB: Final change for United with youngster Wilson entering the action at the expense of Falcao.
CHANCE! That really should be 4-1 to United. Rooney's lofted pass picks out Di Maria, who shows great control, which sends him through on goal and away from the Leicester defence. However, with just Schwarzer to beat, the Argentine wildly lashes the bouncing ball well over the crossbar.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this contest.
FULL TIME: MAN UNITED 3-1 LEICESTER
There goes the whistle, which tells us what we've known for some time - United have won their sixth Premier League game in seven at Old Trafford. It's a result that moves them up to third, while Leicester remain rooted to the bottom. Next week at home to Palace looks to be a big one for Pearson's men.
That is all we have time for from Old Trafford. Thanks for joining us this evening and be sure to stick with Sports Mole over the next few hours for all the analysis, player ratings and reaction. Until next time, goodbye.