Fired-up United cannot afford to underestimate Leicester
MANCHESTER: Fresh from consecutive 4-0 wins, Manchester United will be aiming for a hat-trick of Premier League victories when they face 2015 champions Leicester City at Old Trafford tomorrow.
Jose Mourinho’s side have been the most impressive of any of the contenders so far with new signing Romelu Lukaku claiming three goals in the opening two games.
Leicester, though, have also given their fans plenty of encouragement with a confident 2-0 win over promoted Brighton and Hove Albion following their 4-3 defeat at Arsenal in the league’s opening game.
If United needed any reminder of the threat that Craig Shakespeare’s team pose on the break, City led 3-1 at the Emirates before Arsenal’s late comeback.
Recent form in head-tohead games suggests United should have the upper hand, though. They triumphed 4-1 in the corresponding fixture last season and then enjoyed a 3-0 win at the King Power Stadium.
Chelsea bounced back from their opening-day shock home defeat to Burnley with victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley last week but face another tough test against Everton on Sunday.
Ronald Koeman’s Everton impressed in a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Monday, Wayne Rooney scoring his second goal in as many games.
Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas is available for selection after completing his suspension but skipper Gary Cahill remains suspended after his opening-day red card.
Everton will be without French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, sent off at the Etihad on Monday, and also have to cope with a tight schedule that saw them travel to Croatia yesterday for a secondleg Europa League tie with Hajduk Split.
Liverpool, who qualified for the Champions League group stage on Wednesday with a win over Hoffenheim, have their biggest test of the league season so far when they host Arsenal at Anfield.
Wembley will see a repeat of the 1962 FA Cup final when “home side” Spurs host Burnley looking to bounce back from their loss to Chelsea last week. – Reuters