Man Utd predicted XI to face Leicester - will Erik ten Hag rotate his winning team?

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The Manchester United manager must decide whether to freshen up the side which has won the last two matches.

Erik ten Hag may decide to rotate his Manchester United team for the trip to Leicester City on Thursday.

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The Red Devils face Brendan Rodgers’ men in an 8pm kick-off at the King Power Stadium, with the hosts in desperate need of a win.

Leicester have picked up just one point so far this season and failed to take anything against Chelsea at the weekend despite playing for over an hour with a man advantage.

It’s the opposite for United, however, who have quickly changed the mood after a horrendous opening to the season. Back-to-back wins over Liverpool and Southampton have eased the pressure on Ten Hag, who has already started shaping the team to his liking.

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The agreement in principle for Antony’s transfer from Ajax was announced on Tuesday, although he’s unlikely to be in the starting line-up against Leicester.

United wrapped up three points against Southampton. Credit: Getty.United wrapped up three points against Southampton. Credit: Getty.
United wrapped up three points against Southampton. Credit: Getty. | Manchester United via Getty Imag

Meanwhile, the additions of Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro have already given the United team a different feel from the players who so underwhelmed last season.

But after the Red Devils took six points from the last two games, Ten Hag is now faced with a dilemma of whether he should rotate his squad ahead of a busy period.

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United play six games in 18 days, beginning with the Leicester clash, and it means the team will need to be freshened up during that period.

Casemiro could be handed a first start in a United shirt. Credit: Getty.Casemiro could be handed a first start in a United shirt. Credit: Getty.
Casemiro could be handed a first start in a United shirt. Credit: Getty. | Manchester United via Getty Imag

Who could Ten Hag rotate on Thursday?

United could hand Casemiro a full debut after he came off the bench against Southampton on Saturday, and bringing in the former Real Madrid midfielder may allow Scott McTominay or Christian Eriksen to be rested.

Further still, Fred is an option to return to the team alongside his international team-mate, while Bruno Fernandes is expected to retain his starting spot in a more advanced role.

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In the attacking positions, Cristiano Ronaldo could be introduced to the team and allow one of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford or Anthony Elanga to be rotated out. Anthony Martial is still missing with the Achilles problem which stopped him playing at the weekend.

Will Ten Hag opt to reintroduce Ronaldo? Credit: Getty.Will Ten Hag opt to reintroduce Ronaldo? Credit: Getty.
Will Ten Hag opt to reintroduce Ronaldo? Credit: Getty. | AFP via Getty Images

Other positions which could be switched by Ten Hag come in the full-back areas, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw possibilities to start, if Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia are deemed in need of a break.

However, centre-back and goalkeeper are likely to remain the same, with David de Gea, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez looking assured at St Mary’s. Ten Hag also confirmed on Wednesday that Victor Lindelof is back in training, but he won’t start in Leicester.

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It is difficult to predict what Ten Hag will do on Thursday; he could stick with the same 11 players or rotate heavily.

However, we’re predicting the former Ajax manager makes four changes for the trip to Leicester, and introduces Shaw, Casemiro, Fred and Ronaldo into the team.

Manchester United predicted XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes; Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford.

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