Manchester United’s marathon man looks to hurt Leicester yet again after a vital victory last season



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Manchester United’s marathoners have proven their ability to go all the way against Leicester in the past and now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team is looking to go the extra mile on their return to King Power Stadium.

  • Manchester United beat Leicester in a vital clash on the final match day of last season
  • That victory sealed third place and qualification for the Champions League
  • Return to King Power to face Brendan Rodgers’ men on Boxing Day
  • Teams rank second and third in the league before their big game

Manchester United’s ability to go far has already left its mark on Leicester City, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continues to demand more from his players.

Five months have passed since United went to the King Power Stadium on the final day of the Premier League season and won 2-0 to clinch third place and Champions League qualification, while consigning Leicester to the Europa League.

United return on Saturday with the two clubs in familiar territory, second and third behind leaders Liverpool.

Manchester United return to Leicester on Boxing Day after hitting their pace in recent games

Manchester United return to Leicester on Boxing Day after hitting their pace in recent games

The Red Devils crushed Leicester's hopes in the Champions League at the end of last season

The Red Devils crushed Leicester’s hopes in the Champions League at the end of last season

Solskjaer’s team appears to be taking shape after an uneven start to the season and is unbeaten in national competition since early last month.

They are also going the extra mile for their coach, who made improving his fitness one of his top priorities after taking over from José Mourinho two years ago.

United nearly equaled Leeds’ career stats, the benchmark for any Premier League team, in the process of putting up six goals above their old rivals at Old Trafford last weekend, and they were still long enough. strong at the end of the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in Everton. on Wednesday night to score two late goals through Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial.

“We are getting better and better,” Solskjaer said. “These guys know what I want from my team and certain games give you the opportunity to run in a different way. Everyone is different. The Leeds game was a very open game, from one end to the other and with a lot of runs, but that only showed that we have the ability if necessary.

Martial is a player who has taken a while to get going after finishing as United’s top scorer last season with 23 goals.

“Anthony has made some big contributions lately – he’s assisting, scoring goals and getting in shape,” added Solskjaer.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team ranks third in the league only behind Liverpool and Leicester

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team ranks third in the league only behind Liverpool and Leicester

“ His career stats from the Leeds game gave him a new standard that I want to see more of. He knows I’m over him on this.

“Anthony is going to get better and when we have Mason (Greenwood), Marcus (Rashford) and Anthony also shooting at full blast, we will be more of a threat to the teams.”

There is talk of United as potential title contenders, but Solskjaer refuses to get carried away with it all.

“There is noise around Man United anyway,” he said. “For us, it’s about improving as a team by taking one game at a time. That’s the only way you’re going to challenge something at the end of the season. ‘

Manchester United had an uneven start to the season but have improved in recent weeks

Manchester United had an uneven start to the season but have improved in recent weeks



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