Game Week 7 Predictions: United to struggle again at Leeds

Leeds United can trouble Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday, but can the Red Devils step up with a great performance to earn a resul...

Leeds United can trouble Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday, but can the Red Devils step up with a great performance to earn a result? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Leeds United vs Manchester United

Elland Road

2:00pm

Manchester United's Michael Carrick is treading on thin ice. A loss at Elland Road on Sunday could signal the end of his reign as the permanent manager of Manchester United.

You must be asking questions. How did Carrick fly so high in the second half of last season, winning ten out of fourteen games as an interim coach, and then become clueless when he became the substantive manager?

We don't have answers, but if the former Middlesbrough head coach doesn't find them in the coming games, he could join a long list of coaches who have failed in the Old Trafford dugout since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

Leeds United will not come easy on Sunday. The Lilywhites were unlucky to lose at the Emirates last weekend. You could tell squad quality made the difference for the Gunners last weekend; United can't boast the same level as the champions.

Leeds United could go as high as fifth on the log if they beat Manchester United on Sunday. It is quite achievable considering how bad the Red Devils have been. If your last game does define your form, then the home side has the upper hand.

The United failed to close out the game at home against the Spurs. Despite having a numerical advantage for a good period of the game, Dominic Solanke headed home the leveler with minutes to go, handing the visitors a precious point at Old Trafford.

Then came the midweek Champions League game, where Atletico Madrid needed only a few seconds to get past Senna Lammens in the United goal. The 2-0 loss has heaped more pressure on Carrick; he can't drop points on Sunday.

How will they line up? Both sides don't have fresh injuries to worry about. The visitors have also cleared up the Lisandro Martinez saga, and the Argentine is expected to be in the squad at Elland Road to face Leeds United.

Bryan Mbeumo scored United's goal against Spurs; the Cameroonian has been a little quiet this season. With Amad Traore back and available for selection, we expect the former Brentford man to enjoy more freedom.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be the man to watch for the hosts. With Noah Okafor and Anton Stach, Daniel Farke has some troublesome lads to run the United defense ragged. We expect a fiery game on Sunday.

Verdict: Both teams to score.