Make that two 4-0 wins out of two for Manchester United to start this season. After finding it somewhat tougher to completely put Swansea away last weekend, United eventually broke through and finished with a flurry of three goals in four minutes to seal the win.
The United attack has certainly looked much improved in the early going. Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba continued their strong starts to the season as both once again found the net. Henrikh Mkhitaryan now has four assists through two games, while Anthony Martial came off the bench to score for the second game in succession.
Meanwhile, the defense has been outstanding. United are one of three teams that have kept clean sheets in their first two games. The addition of Nemanja Matic has certainly made a huge difference to that defense thus far as he has solidified the heart of the United midfield.
Manager Jose Mourinho has gone with the same starting XI in his first two games, and with that team performing so well, there’s no reason for him to make any big changes for the visit of Leicester.
United have an outstanding home record against Leicester at Old Trafford through the years. They’ve lost just once in 11 home meetings in the Premier League era, and have won six of the last seven. That includes a 4-1 thrashing last season in which United punished Leicester from set pieces. And with Lukaku joining Pogba and Eric Bailly as big aerial threats, Leicester could have their hands full once again.
Leicester have made a bright start to their season. After pushing Arsenal all the way in a 4-3 defeat away from home, they picked up their first win of the season in convincing fashion as they beat newly-promoted Brighton 2-0 at home. Shinji Okazaki gave the Foxes a very early lead within the first minute, while defender Harry Maguire sealed the win before the hour mark.
However, Maguire will be one of six players who are currently listed as doubtful to feature against United. That includes fellow center-backs Wes Morgan and Robert Huth, as well as key midfielders Daniel Drinkwater and Vicente Iborra.
Manager Craig Shakespeare doesn’t have the deepest squad at his disposal, and will have some big problems on his hands if he is without his first-choice central defensive partnership against a very in-form United attack.
Leicester have scored in each of their last three visits to Old Trafford, and they are always a threat on the counter-attack with Jamie Vardy. However, the Foxes might not have too many opportunities to threaten David de Gea with United much better at controlling games recently.
Writer’s Prediction
United’s (-380) string of 4-0 wins finally comes to an end, but they still handle Leicester pretty comfortably as they win 3-0.
