Game Week 11 Predictions: United to beat Leicester at Old Trafford

Manchester United faces Leicester in Van Nistelrooy’s last game as interim manager, aiming for a morale-boosting win before Ruben Amorim takes over.

Manchester United will hope to send off Ruud Van Nistelrooy on a high as he manages his last game for the Red Devils, will the Foxes rain on his party? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Manchester United vs. Leicester City

Old Trafford

3:00pm

It’s the final game of the Ruud Van Nistelrooy era. The Dutchman has said he hopes to manage the club in the future, and his final audition will show what he will bring to the table if he is handed the job permanently. Can Leicester stop him?

Under the interim manager, the Red Devils have played with freedom; they attempted to deceive against Chelsea, but a brilliant strike by Moises Caicedo undid them, resulting in a draw but their first win in the Europa League.

Leicester City doesn’t have a win in any of their last three, losing two and settling for a draw at the home of the Tractor Boys last weekend. It’s not beyond them to shock their hosts at Old Trafford, but they can’t afford to leave it late like they did last weekend.

Ipswich was on course to win, but a red card's breach in their defense allowed the Foxes to retake the lead late on. Jordan Ayew came off the bench to side-foot one in, ending Steve Cooper's team's run of consecutive defeats.

A win for Manchester United doesn’t affect the table much, as they would still be in the bottom half, but it will help them prepare for a big leap when the league does resume in a fortnight after the international break.

It’s also worth noting that after this game week, the Red Devils will have a substantive manager in the dugout in Ruben Amorim; the Sporting Lisbon manager will join United in midweek after his final game for the Portuguese side on Sunday.

The fitness challenge at Old Trafford is easing up. Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, and Tyrel Malacia are all back in training, with the former the likeliest to feature against Leicester. United fans will also have the pleasure of seeing their new boy, Yoro, for the first time after sustaining a long-term injury in pre-season.

Due to a calf problem, Bobby Decordova-Reid is unavailable for this fixture, but Hamza Choudhury is back in training. The Foxes may also see glimpses of Zambian striker Patson Daka for the first time this season after a lengthy injury.

The game is crucial for United; they need to demonstrate that they are not as impoverished as many believe. The Foxes have nothing to lose, but United must make the transition easier for their new manager.

Verdict: Straight win for United.