Manchester United welcome Leeds United to Old Trafford in a rearranged Premier League clash.
Victory will see Utd stay third but move five points clear of fourth-placed Newcastle, whilst Leeds can climb as high as 14th with a win.
Team News
Casemiro is suspended for Man Utd as he begins a three-match ban after he was red carded in Saturday’s 2-1 home win against Crystal Palace.
Jack Butland (eligibility) could return but Antony (leg) is a doubt and could be rested here.
Christian Eriksen (ankle), Donny van de Beek (knee), Scott McTominay (knock), Anthony Martial (fitness) and Mason Greenwood (personal) remain absent.
Leeds could welcome Robin Koch back into contention after he was suspended for Sunday’s defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Adam Forshaw (hip), Rodrigo, Sonny Perkins (both ankle), Archie Gray (toe) and Stuart Dallas (thigh) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Man Utd will host Leeds at Old Trafford in a 8pm GMT kick-off on Wednesday 8 February, albeit untelevised in the UK as was originally intended on its original date in mid-September.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd are unbeaten in their last seven league meetings against Leeds (W5, D2).
- Leeds are winless in their last 17 league visits to Old Trafford dating back to September 1981 (D6, L11).
- Since regaining promotion to the top-flight in 2020, Leeds have conceded 11 goals in their two recent visits to Old Trafford (L2).
- Marcus Rashford has scored each of Utd’s last five league matches played at home (W5).
- Leeds have scored just one goal in three league games away from Elland Road since returning from the World Cup break (D1, L2).
Prediction
Having produced a dominant performance to defeat Palace on Saturday and continue their excellent form, Man Utd can come into this game full of confidence but manager, Erik Ten Hag needs to try and encourage his players to stop showboating even when comfortably ahead.
It is therefore little surprise that matters got heated on Saturday and Casemiro deserved his red card, which now leaves Utd with the challenge of managing without him for three league games, albeit luckily against teams battling for survival which is slightly easier than top-ten teams.
Leeds meanwhile will be without Jesse Marsch following his sacking but they simply need to start finding their goalscoring boots, especially after an incredibly wasteful performance at Forest because they did everything else right in terms of attack except their end product.
This game though feels like it will be beyond Leeds’ reach unless they produce something extraordinary, which I just can’t see happening here.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Leeds United
Result: Manchester United 2-2 Leeds United
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