When Manchester United host Leicester City at Old Trafford Sunday, the Barclays Premier League trophy will be in attendance… but not for United to potentially lift.
With a win, The Foxes can clinch the Premier League title with a win on Manchester United’s home ground, a stadium which has seen its fair share of trophy lifting, but not too many times has it seen the opposition lift the trophy.
Last year when Leicester visited Old Trafford, they were mired in a relegation scrap, now they have a shot to finish off the Premier League’s biggest dream ending ever. However, a celebration and trophy-lifting on their home pitch is something United will be looking to deny The Foxes of doing in one of the most improbable stories in Premier League history.
After a week off from league football last week (United defeated Everton 2-1 in the FA Cup Semi-finals) United look to get back into it as they continue their battle for fourth place. With an extra game in hand, over rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, United must continue to pick up three points the rest of the way.
What helps the United cause for fourth is that one of City or Arsenal will be dropping points when the two meet on May 8th at the Etihad. So with that in mind, it’s becomes boom or bust the rest of the way for the Red Devils.
Recent Meetings
Last season provided two different encounters between the two sides. In their first meeting, Leicester over game two separate two goal deficits en route to a 5-3 win at the King Power Stadium, one of their trademark wins in the last couple of seasons. However in their second meeting last year, Leicester was left in a relegation scrap when they visited Old Trafford, falling 3-1 to the Red Devils.
In their meeting earlier this season, Jamie Vardy, who will be suspended for the potential title-clinching match, scored the opener which put him top of the Premier League consecutive games scored list at 11. Bastian Schweinsteiger leveled the game just before halftime as the game finished 1-1.
Team News
Manchester United: Adnan Januzaj is likely able to return tomorrow from a hamstring strain he picked up. Both Luke Shaw and Bastian Schweinsteiger will not be fit either as a broken leg and ligament injury will keep them out respectively.
Leicester City: Jamie Vardy will be suspended for a second straight game due to his conduct for getting sent off for simulation in a 2-2 draw against West Ham. The FA charged him with improper conduct and was suspended for the team’s 4-0 win - Swansea and was handed down an additional one-match ban earlier this week.
Fellow striker Leonardo Ulloa is doubtful with a back injury, leaving The Foxes short in their strikeforce should he not be able to go.