Man United vs Leeds United: Premier League Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

Man United vs Leeds United is next as United and Leeds is one of the biggest rivalries in English football, but this week marks the first time these two giant clubs meet each other this season.

Man United vs Leeds United: Match Preview:

The game was originally scheduled for September but was postponed due to a police shortage in the wake of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, with Greater Manchester Police assisting other forces across the country at locations and events of high significance.

Once a mainstay of the top flight for decades, the two Uniteds met only twice in 16 years when Leeds were absent from the Premier League. They returned in 2020 and this will now be the fifth such fixture since then, most of which have been filled with goals.

Leeds have hit the reset button ahead of this week's game, making the decision to part company with manager Jesse Marsch just under a year after choosing him to replace Marcelo Bielsa.

Match Details:

• Location: Manchester, England
• Stadium: Old Trafford
• Date: Wednesday 8 February
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 EST / 12:00 PST
• Referee: Simon Hooper
• VAR: John Brooks

Team News:

Man United:

Casemiro is suspended following his red card in the win over Crystal Palace, which is a huge blow for United. Anthony Martial has also suffered a setback in his ongoing battle for fitness.

Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are all injured, leaving Erik ten Hag super light in midfield. But it will likely mean a full debut for January signing Marcel Sabitzer.

Leeds United:

Robin Koch is eligible to return for Leeds, but Rodrigo, Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray and Sonny Perkins are all sidelined.

Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo and ex-Manchester United assistant Chris Armas have been placed in temporary charge of the team. Skubala handled media duties on Tuesday and confirmed that there will be some 'little tweaks' but major changes are unlikely.

Man Utd vs Leeds United: Head to Head:

Manchester United have a good historical record against Leeds United and have won 49 out of the 111 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Leeds United's 26 victories.

Manchester United have lost only one of their last 17 Premier League matches against Leeds United, with their previous such defeat coming by a 1-0 margin in 2002.

Since Leeds United's return to the Premier League in 2020, Manchester United have scored 15 goals against them - only Manchester City have been more prolific against Leeds United during this period.

Key Stats

• Manchester United have won five of their last six matches against Leeds in all competitions, scoring at least four goals in each of their last three home matches against the Whites.
• Leeds have failed to win their last seven Premier League matches in the build-up to Jesse Marsch's sacking.
• Manchester United are on a four-game winning streak across all competitions.
• Manchester United have shipped only five of their last seven games.
• Marcus Rashford has netted 11 goals since returning from the World Cup.

Predicted Line-ups:

Man Utd starting 11 (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.

Leeds starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Wober, Struijk; Adams, Roca; Sinisterra, Harrison, Gnonto; Bamford.

MU vs LU: Fantasy XI:

De Gea; Varane, Martinez, Cooper, Sabitzer, Fred, Adams, Fernandes, Rashford, Gnonto.