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The players are in the tunnel, the Stone Roses are on the tannoy. It’s time for business.
“The Premier League has shown that only money counts,” says Jeff Sax, “and they will find a way to let Qatar buy Man Utd ... just like they let Saudi Arabia buy Newcastle. Enjoy the game.”
Well, I was hoping to until that email.
“Nice to see Ten Hag not moaning about United having less recovery time ahead of this fixture than their opponents,” says Rick Harris. “ That said it is clearly an advantage for Leicester that United had to play just 65 hours ago in Spain against the La Liga leaders. If United do take the three points then they are definitely in the title race.”
You have to think the schedule will catch up with United eventually. My one criticism of ten Hag this season (should I cap up the T, as with Van Dijk, when I don’t use his first name?) is that he didn’t rotate enough in the easier cup games. Casemiro v Reading FHS.
“Mr Inbetween...what a show!” says Ronan O’Brien. “I thought I was the only one that appreciated it.”
It might be my favourite show since the Sopranos. And as somebody who aspires to write something decent one day, the story behind it is really inspiring – no artistic compromise at all, married with a complete lack of pretension.
United have two huge games coming up: Barcelona in the Europa League on Thursday, then Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final a week today. Here are a few appetite whetters from the archive.
“Funny how Maddison is a critical darling, as opposed to another player (Mr Martial) who also pops up for a time, does well, but then is injured for twice as long,” says Duncan Edwards. “On that note, if Martial is fit to face Barca next week will, indeed should, Ten Hag keep him instead for the Carabao final?”
That’s a bit harsh on Maddison – he played 53 games like season! I think he’s pretty wonderful. As for Martial, goodness knows: it sounds like he hasn’t been 100 per cent fit all season, so I suspect he’ll be on the bench at best. I would start Rashford up front against Barcelona; not sure about Newcastle as they will defend deep, but then Wembley is a biggish pitch.
A word from the managers
This is a terrific interview with Leicester’s new centre-back Harry Souttar, who has been through extreme emotions in the past six months: he starred at the World Cup, and got a move to the Premier League, but those career highs` were overshadowed by the death of his brother Aaron from motor neurone disease.
On the vague subject of Australia and motor neurone disease, I cannot recommend the TV show Mr Inbetween highly enough. The performance of Nicholas Cassim, who plays somebody with MND, is among the best acting I’ve ever seen.
Imagine going downhill from the Glazers
Team news
Erik ten Hag makes five changes from the draw in Barcelona on Thursday. Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Marcel Sabitzer and Alejandro Garnacho replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro and Jadon Sancho.
Leicester, as you’d expect of a team in such sparkling form, are unchanged.
Manchester United (possible 4-2-3-1) de Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, Fred; Fernandes, Weghorst, Garnacho; Rashford.
Substitutes: Heaton, Malacia, Varane, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, McTominay, Pellistri, Elanga, Sancho.
Leicester City (4-2-3-1) Ward; Castagne, Souttar, Faes, Kristiansen; Mendy, Dewsbury-Hall; Tete, Maddison, Barnes; Iheanacho.
Substitutes: Iverson, Ricardo, Amartey, Ndidi, Soumare, Tielemans, Praet, Daka, Vardy.
Referee Craig Pawson.
Preamble
Right, are Manchester United in this title race or what? They’re eight points behind the leaders Arsenal, but if they beat Leicester today they’ll be only three behind Manchester City – the team who most people regard as favourites to win the league.
Most logic, and all instinct, suggests it’s too much, too soon, especially with a thinning squad and an imminent fixture pile-up. Even so, it’s an extraordinary achievement from Erik ten Hag to have United sitting comfortably in third, especially after such a diabolical start to the season. And if they do somehow become champions, he’ll be immortal.
All United can do is keep winning and see where it takes them. That won’t be easy this afternoon against a Leicester side who – surprise, surprise – have been rejuvenated by the return of James Maddison. They’ve scored eight goals in their last two league games, and their front four of Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Tete and Kelechi Iheanacho will give United’s defence a good test today. Erik wouldn’t have it any other way.
Kick off 2pm
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