Five Facts: The must-know stats ahead of Leicester vs Man Utd
Manchester United need only a point to wrap up a Champions League spot, but today's trip to Leicester won't be a walk in the park for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. Here, we look up five key pre-match stats ahead of this key Premier League meeting...
United's penalty prowess to secure Champions League football?
In a crunch clash to see out the season, Manchester United know a point will be enough to secure Champions League football next term. While they were far from their best in the 1-1 draw with West Ham last time out, United will be confident of securing the required result against Leicester.
The Foxes have endured a huge downturn in form in 2020, winning just five league matches this calendar year. For a while, they were best placed to finish third, yet now sat one point outside the top four, Brendan Rodgers will hope for one final push on home turf today. However, no team has conceded more penalties than Leicester (7) in the Premier League this season, while Manchester United have scored more penalties (9) in England's top tier this term. This penalty prowess could be enough to land a top-four finish today.
Leicester's home resolve to frustrate United?
While Leicester have underwhelmed this year, they can at least call upon home resolve to help them to a win over United. They have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four home league matches, that the current longest run of its kind in the Premier League. If any side can break that streak, though, it's United, who have scored in each of their last 12 away matches.
Marcus Rashford's importance against Leicester
Marcus Rashford may not have been at his very best since Premier League football returned last month, but his record against Leicester speaks volumes. Indeed, Rashford is unbeaten in his nine meetings with the Foxes, winning seven. The England international has scored four Premier League goals against Leicester, including the winning goal in the last two league meetings between the pair.
Pogba the man to unlock the Foxes?
Paul Pogba made the headlines for the wrong reasons when Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw with West Ham in midweek, but the Frenchman has a vital role to play at the King Power Stadium. Indeed, Leicester have developed just one WhoScored weakness, that being 'defending against through ball attacks', and this plays into United and Pogba's hands. Only Emiliano Buendia and Kevin De Bruyne (both 12) have made more accurate through balls than Pogba (7) in the Premier League this season, so he'll be the man tasked with threading the passes through to United's attacking foursome.
The man in the middle benefits United
Martin Atkinson takes charge for Leicester's welcome of Manchester United and this promises to ge a good omen for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. United need only to avoid defeat to wrap up a top-four spot and Atkinson has proven to be a lucky charm for the Manchester side. United have lost just one of the last 13 Premier League matches Atkinson has officiated, and won the reverse fixture with the referee taking charge, that a 1-0 win courtesy of a Marcus Rashford penalty.
