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Old rivals Manchester United and Leeds United will meet in the Premier League after a long gap of 16 years. Marcelo Bielsa's men may not have got the results they want but you can't fault their hunger and desire. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and company on the other hand proudly assume two entirely different identities at random.
On some days, there's no stopping them. On some days, they'll get pushed off the road by a light breeze. But credit where it's due, Manchester United have been one of the better Premier League sides this team. Leeds United have been one of the most entertaining.
Both sides love playing an expansive style of football and are direct about their attacking forays. As such, we're expecting to see an absolute cracker of a match. On that note, let's take a look at five reasons why Manchester United could struggle against Leeds United tonight.
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#5 Leeds United love to come swinging out of the gates
If there's one thing that's consistent about this Manchester United side, it is that they do not start games well. It has been their undoing on several occasions already this season with their collapse against RB Leipzig within the opening 10 minutes of the game a prime example of the worst of this tendency.
Manchester United concede first a lot. Leeds United love to show a bit of edge from the get-go and make their presence known as soon as the whistle blows for kick-off. As such, there's every chance that we'll see Manchester United cowering in the opening quarter of an hour at the very minimum.
It is clearly an area that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his team are aware they need to improve on but going by how they started against Sheffield United in their most recent match, it's difficult to see them turn it around as early as tonight.
#4 Manchester United's 4-2-3-1 formation could prove to be their undoing
Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United like to exploit the width of the pitch and they thrive on creating overloads on the wings. Even their centre-backs lend a hand in making sure activity thrives in wide areas and this could be cumbersome to Manchester United due to a variety of reasons.
The likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood like to stay up and it is something that has worked for them in the recent past. Manchester United's counters are lethal because their pacy strikers are always looking to run in behind the defence.
As such, the full-backs are susceptible to getting exposed and with the likes of Raphinha and Jack Harrison being in top form, this Manchester United defence could get knocked into the middle of next week and we still wouldn't be shocked.
#3 Selection dilemma for Solskjaer as midfield battle against Leeds United beckons
Leeds United midfielders are always looking to drive ahead and create problems in the final third. As a result, there is a battle to be won in midfield and this poses a selection problem for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He chooses to go with Scott McTominay and Fred when a job needs to be done. The duo are industrious and never shies away from putting a shift in but it needs to be noted that the Brazilian has a bit of a reckless streak in him.
However, choosing both of them means compromising on the creative front. If Fred and McTominay start, then only one of Pogba and Fernandes are likely to be deployed and the one who is likely to get the axe is the Frenchman.
Though he is in good creative form, his lack of discipline on the ball could have caused problems even against Sheffield United. The likes of Kalvin Phillips are going to give the Manchester United midfield reasons to stay on high-alert for the entirety of the ninety.
#2 Manchester United have been poor at home
Manchester United are now 10 games unbeaten on the road. When sides get so good playing away from home, they are usually dominating the domestic circuit. However, Manchester United's situation is a far cry from that.
Manchester United have lost to Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at home. They drew with Chelsea and Manchester City at Old Trafford. It's an unusual scenario but that's the story of United's season so far.
So Leeds United will show up at Old Trafford confident of their chances of pulling an upset on their old rivals. It's difficult to snap out of habits and this unhealthy one is something that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will show no patience about. But whether the Red Devils can regain footing on their own yard is quite a question in itself.
#1 The pressure is on Manchester United
Though they have not looked at their best and though the results they've got against the Big 6 is rather mediocre till now, Manchester United could identify themselves as title contenders if they win this one and the one game they have in hand.
If they do so, they will be just two points off the top. It is a great opportunity to silence their detractors but whether this Manchester United side is capable of negotiating that kind of pressure remains to be seen.
They bottled their UEFA Champions League prospects by choking after getting off to a dream start in the group stage. If they lose two of these upcoming matches, they could get lost in the crowd that's vying for a finish in the top four.
As such, the pressure is undoubtedly on Manchester United as Leeds United come to visit.
