City could put United to the sword, warns Ole
RED DEVILS BOSS WARY OF FOXES’ GOALS THREAT
LEICESTER City could put Manchester United to the sword if they get the first goal in today’s Boxing Day clash, Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted.
The King Power Stadium hosts the tantalising second-againstthird fixture and Solskjaer is predicting the opening strike will be crucial, particularly as he is wary of how ruthless City can be.
The statistics match up with Solskjaer’s thoughts, as City are one of only two Premier League teams this season, along with Aston Villa, to have won every game in which they have scored first.
However, United are the masters at coming from behind – they have won six of the eight games in which they let in the first goal.
Nevertheless, those powers of recovery will be diminished against a Leicester side capable of racking up the goals if they get the first one.
“It’s going to catch up with you if you keep letting the other team take the lead, and Leicester are one of those teams who you don’t want to give a one or two-goal lead to because they have got so many players on the transition,” said Solskjaer.
“If they can play on the result, you could easily concede two, three or four. So, we have to start as well as we did (against Everton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final).
“Of course, the first goal in any game is a very important one.”
The two clubs’ respective records this season will make United favourites.
While City have already lost four home matches, United have won their last 10 Premier League games on the road, which takes in the final day meeting from last season, when the Red Devils were 2-0 victors.
That earned them a top four spot, and left City in fifth.
“We’ve had some good games against Leicester, very tight games,” said Solskjaer.
“They’re a very good side with a very good coach and I’ve enjoyed watching them under Brendan.
“It was a big test for us to go down there at their stadium for the last league game of last season in the summer.
“We passed that one with flying colours.
“I felt we really controlled the game.
“I know it’s not going to be the same now because it’s a different time of the season.
“They have some threats that you have to look for.”