Manchester United will compete against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium this evening, aiming to capitalize on their recent Europa League victory over Real Sociedad on Thursday night.
Ruben Amorim’s team seeks to extend their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to four matches, following two draws and a win against Everton, Arsenal, and Ipswich Town, respectively.
This encounter marks the fourth meeting between the two teams in the 2024/25 season, with the Red Devils having secured victory in the previous league match, as well as in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup clashes.
Nevertheless, the manager faces several selection challenges if they wish to maintain their unbeaten streak and conclude the season positively after a challenging campaign thus far.
One player will definitely be absent for the journey to the East Midlands, as a key first-team member is currently serving a suspension due to a red card received a couple of weeks ago.
Patrick Dorgu’s suspension for Leicester City
Left-back Patrick Dorgu delivered an outstanding performance during the victory against Real Sociedad, showcasing the talent that justified the £30 million investment made in him during the January transfer window.
Unfortunately, the 20-year-old will not participate in tonight’s match against the Foxes, as he is serving the second match of a three-game suspension due to a straight red card received in the win over Ipswich.
Dorgu also missed last week’s match against Arsenal, but his absence may be more keenly felt this evening, especially after his remarkable display against the Spanish team just days prior.
With Luke Shaw still sidelined due to injury and Tyrell Malacia out on loan for the remainder of the season, the options in the defensive lineup are quite limited.
Consequently, Amorim may consider deploying a player in an unfamiliar position, aiming to replicate the success of another player who previously excelled in a new role.
The player who could solve Amorim’s wing-back dilemma
Amad Diallo has not participated in matches since the encounter with the Foxes at the beginning of February, and he may be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury.
Prior to this setback, Amorim frequently deployed the Ivorian in a more defensive wing-back position instead of his favored attacking role, successfully maximizing the young player’s potential.
The 22-year-old has accumulated a total of 12 goals and assists since the appointment of the former Sporting CP manager, flourishing with increased playing time in the first team.
Amorim might consider replicating this success by positioning Alejandro Garnacho similarly on the opposite wing, which could enable the Argentine to thrive under the new management.
The 20-year-old has only achieved four goal contributions this year, facing challenges in adjusting to Amorim’s expectations of playing in a more central role rather than his preferred wide position.
Although this may appear to be an ambitious notion, the young “game-changer,” as noted by journalist Samuel Luckhurst, possesses the necessary attributes to excel in such a role. His stamina allows him to effectively cover the pitch, and his statistics reflect his potential impact at both ends of the field.
In the Premier League during the 2024/25 season, Garnacho has averaged 1.1 successful dribbles and created 1.3 chances per 90 minutes, highlighting the influence he can exert when advancing into attacking positions.
areas.
| Alejandro Garnacho’s stats for United in the PL (2024/25) | |
|---|---|
| Statistics (per 90) | Tally |
| Games played | 27 |
| Goals & assists | 4 |
| Pass accuracy | 83% |
| Successful dribbles | 1.1 |
| Chances created | 1.3 |
| Duels won | 4.1 |
| Tackle success rate | 65% |
| Stats via FotMob | |
He has achieved an average of 4.1 duels won per 90 minutes, coupled with a tackle success rate of 65%. This demonstrates his defensive skills, enabling him to reclaim possession when the team is out of possession.
Considering Amad’s impressive performance in a similar role, this presents an excellent opportunity for the manager to deploy the academy graduate in a new position, thereby enhancing the team’s versatility.
Leicester’s current low position in the league may provide the opportunity to take a few calculated risks. Amorim could seize this moment to showcase his tactical acumen by employing an attacker in a wing-back position, potentially revitalizing his performance after a challenging few months.
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