Manchester United host Leeds United in their first game of the 2021/22 Premier League season as Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men look to register a strong start to the campaign in their bid to challenge for the title. With crowds returning to Old Trafford for the first time since March 2020, the Red Devils will be hoping to get the better of their historic rivals come Saturday afternoon.
United comfortably secured a second-place finish, while Leeds marked an impressive return to the Premier League, earning 59 points to claim a top-half finish last season. Leeds failed to beat United in the league last term as they suffered an embarrassing 6-2 loss at Old Trafford but made a strong comeback to secure a 0-0 draw in the return fixture. Both clubs have strengthened their squads ahead of the season as both managers look to improve on their form and consistency from the last campaign.
While United have brought in the likes of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, the latter will not feature in the first game of the season while the former is likely to make an appearance according to the manager.
Despite a disrupted pre-season campaign due to an extended holiday period for the players and unforeseen coronavirus cases, United only managed to play four pre-season games. Their latest against Everton proved to be their most impressive, as goals from Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, Harry Maguire, and Diogo Dalot secured a comprehensive 4-0 victory, last Saturday. Solskjær will be keen on building momentum from the start, with the club desperate to win a piece of silverware next season.
On the other hand, Leeds come into the season on the back of a remarkable campaign last time around and having played two more pre-season games than Manchester United. Bielsa’s squad finished just two points behind eight-placed Arsenal and three points behind Tottenham Hotspur the last term as they look to push for European football this season. With Jack Harrison moving on a permanent deal to the club and the arrivals of Junior Firpo and Kristoffer Klaesson boosting the back five, Bielsa will be hoping to combine last season’s tenacity and confidence to produce sustainable results on the pitch.
Match Officials:
Referee: Paul Tierney.
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Neil Davies.
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor.
VAR: Chris Kavanagh.
Assistant VAR: Lee Betts.
When & Where?
Venue: Old Trafford.
Date: Saturday, 14th of August 2021.
Time: Kick-off at 12:00 BST.
Team News:
Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjær will be without the services of several key first-team players against Leeds on Saturday. Marcus Rashford is not likely to feature until after the international break while Alex Telles, Dean Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Amad Diallo, Phil Jones, Eric Baily, and Edinson Cavani have not travelled with the match-day squad. New signing Jadon Sancho is expected to be in the starting XI, however, the lack of pre-season minutes may see him start on the bench. To the frustration of many, Raphael Varane will not be featuring as the club are yet to make communicate an official announcement regarding the signing of his deal with United.
Leeds United
Leeds are expected to give it their all on Saturday, with all one but first-team player fit ahead of the game at Old Trafford. Bielsa will be without the services of Diego Llorente at centre-back due to a leg issue, resulting in Robin Koch likely to start alongside Liam Cooper. Key players such as Patrick Bamford, Stuart Dallas, Raphinha, and Kalvin Phillips, among others, are expected to be part of the starting XI as Bielsa will look to get the better of the United manager on Saturday.
Match Analysis:
A 6-2 battering of Leeds at Old Trafford exposed the many vulnerabilities of Bielsa’s system last time around, however, a strong performance in the return fixture proved too difficult for United as they struggled to break down a resolute Leeds defence. While many expect the game to be open-ended, both managers may not rule-out a pragmatic approach to the game on Saturday.
Owing to the lack of pre-season minutes within the squad’s first-team players, Solskjær will be wary of United’s dreadful start to last season’s campaign. However, in Donny Van De Beek, Nemanja Matic, and Mason Greenwood, United possess enough quality to cover up for possible absences in the starting XI against Leeds. Meanwhile, with Leeds keen on making up for last season’s humiliating defeat, Bielsa has the desire, experience, and potential to outclass Solskjær and secure a cunning victory over the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Overall, Saturday’s clash will be a thrilling encounter as both clubs will look to start off their campaign with a victory over a bitter rival.
Key Players:
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – Manchester United
In the absence of crucial players in United’s frontline, right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka will have a difficult task in facing relentless Leeds attacks. Though the defender has been impressively consistent since his arrival at the club, Wan-Bissaka’s positioning and ability to link-up in the attack has resulted in an ensuing debate amongst fans and experts in recent seasons. With Mason Greenwood expected to replace Edinson Cavani in the starting line-up, Wan-Bissaka will have to link-up with either Daniel James or Jadon Sancho on the right flank of the attack. Although Wan-Bissaka has shown significant improvement going forward, Solskjær will be reliant on the 22-year-old’s energy and ability to block-off the right channel of attack for Leeds come Saturday.
READ: FPL 2021/ 22: Manchester United Preview | Fantasy Premier League
Patrick Bamford – Leeds United
Having come close on multiple occasions during the team’s defeat at Old Trafford last season, Bamford will be keen on converting his chances this time around. The striker has played a key part in Leeds’ promotion and subsequent survival in the division and will be expected to, once again, deliver this season. With Raphinha and Jack Harrison expected to create chances from the flanks, Bamford will be hoping to run behind United’s centre-back and feed off through balls and aerial crosses into the box. The striker’s positioning and clinical nature will be key to Bielsa’s approach as they look to win their first game at Old Trafford since February 1981.
READ: FPL 2021/22: Leeds United Preview | Fantasy Premier League
Predicted Lineups:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1) – David De Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Fred, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood.
Leeds United (4-1-2-3) – Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo, Kalvin Phillips, Stuart Dallas, Rodrigo Moreno, Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford, Raphinha.
