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A test for Solskjaer’s tactics
Given the football Leeds United have been playing since their reintroduction to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, this game cannot be considered on a par with other Manchester United home games against newly promoted teams.
Indeed, it is a reflection of the contrasting fortunes of two Yorkshire clubs that United will fear Leeds far more than Sheffield United in the middle of the week. While the Blades have been forceful this season, Marcelo Bielsa’s team has been sharp, inventive and exciting to watch. His performances against Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal this season have demonstrated his high pressure, forward passing style.
Bielsa was perhaps a bit condescending to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in preparation for the game. He praised the Norwegian’s ability to handle the pressure at Old Trafford, but suggested that he has been given time due to his record as a United player.
He said: “Normally, when a player has been playing for a long time in a team he has the affection of the fans and when he becomes a coach he has more of their support.”
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Solskjaer, then, will have something to prove against a Bielsa-type master tactician. He will be desperate for United to take on Leeds’ unique style, not just for the three points, but to make a statement on his own tactical acumen.
Great players
Despite the lack of supporters within Old Trafford, which is a great shame given this historic rivalry, there is no question about the size of the game and United’s task.
And Solskjaer, with his teams against Sheffield United, perhaps revealed how seriously he is taking Leeds this weekend.
It was Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic in United’s midfield at Bramall Lane and Solskjaer revealed he was eager to bring the game to the struggling side of Chris Wilder. Pogba, in particular, helped United do exactly that. It was an anticipatory act, proactive rather than reactive.
Fred and Scott McTominay were benched in South Yorkshire and it seems like a good bet that they will both be called up on Sunday. They offer United a solidity against the four behind when they play together, both bringing a game-breaking ability and tackling that will be vital against the Bielsa boys.
The duo are quickly becoming great United players and, make no mistake, this is a great match.
The goalkeeper is obvious
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. There were many United fans on social media knowingly nodding their heads after Dean Henderson’s mistake against Sheffield United.
Why did Solskjaer play Henderson over David De Gea? It was a question that seemed relevant after Henderson’s fumble had allowed David McGoldrick to open the scoring Thursday night, but it wasn’t a question many asked when the teams were announced. Henderson had earned his chance.
Whatever your thoughts on the selection and the consequences of it, one thing now seems certain: De Gea will return to the squad for the foreseeable future and Henderson’s next appearance is sure to be in the Carabao Cup against Everton next week. The Spanish continues to defend himself against the competition.
Manchester United got back on the winning track against humble Sheffield United and are now aiming for a similar result against Pennine’s rivals Leeds United.
The bitter rivalry with Leeds is renewed at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Marcelo Bielsa’s intense style of play offering a major challenge to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s hopes that his side will be a genuine challenge for the Premier League title.
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Challenge for the four behind
Leeds scores goals. They also concede goals, but it would be a surprise if they didn’t find Old Trafford’s net sometime on Sunday, given United’s own vulnerabilities at home these days.
Patrick Bamford has been one of the stories of the season, with his nine-game record better than the total of any United player. But it’s fair to describe the Whites as an offensive collective, with Bamford finishing off several fluid plays for the team.
The challenge for United’s defense is obvious. But they are fighting for their own places at the wing, as well as for a clean sheet. It was remarkable that Solskjaer admitted that he could make defensive changes during the festive period to combat fatigue and avoid the threat of injury.
The center-back pair of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have not been impenetrable this season, so Axel Tuanzebe deserves a chance again soon. On the left back, United need Luke Shaw and Alex Telles to keep challenging each other, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka must find his own motivation given the lack of credible alternatives on the right back.
A clean sheet against Leeds would be a real blessing.
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