Preview: Leeds United vs. Manchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Manchester United will be bidding to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League when they head to Elland Road on Sunday afternoon to take on Leeds United.

The Red Devils are currently fourth in the table, two points clear of fifth-placed West Ham United, while Leeds sit 15th, six points clear of the relegation zone heading into the next set of fixtures.

Match preview

© Reuters

Leeds have won five, drawn eight and lost 10 of their 23 Premier League matches this season to collect 23 points, which has left them in 15th spot in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone.

The Whites were excellent on their return to this level last season, finishing in ninth position, but there is no question that they have found it tougher this term, and Leeds are one of the teams that will be looking over their shoulder, especially with Everton and Newcastle United showing signs of improvement.

Marcelo Bielsa's side won back-to-back league games against Burnley and West Ham last month but have picked up just one point from the last nine available, drawing with Aston Villa either side of a home defeat to Newcastle and away loss to Everton.

Leeds now have three straight league matches against Man United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, and they will be desperate to get one over on the Red Devils, who ran out 5-1 winners in the reverse match at Old Trafford back in August, but the points were shared in a goalless draw at Elland Road last term.

The Whites have struggled at home this term, picking up just 13 points from 11 matches, which is the fourth-worst record in the division, while they have won just one of their last four league fixtures at Elland Road, losing at home to Newcastle in their last clash in front of their own fans on January 22.

© Reuters

Man United, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday night, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes on the scoresheet at Old Trafford, and the win moved the Red Devils back above West Ham into fourth spot in the table.

Reports of unrest in the camp continue to emerge, but interim head coach Ralf Rangnick has insisted that there is a good atmosphere in the dressing room, while Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire, who will remain as club captain despite recent suggestions, have taken to social media to deny that there are issues.

The Red Devils were disappointingly knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough earlier this month but still have plenty to fight for this term, battling for a top-four position in the league, while they will travel to Atletico Madrid next week for the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League.

Man United are unbeaten in their last six league matches, winning three of their last five, while they have not lost away from home in England's top flight since the 4-1 reverse at Watford on November 20, which saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lose his job as head coach.

The 20-time English champions will know the importance of picking up another victory here, as they are not only battling West Ham for fourth, with Arsenal, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham also very much in the argument during a crucial stage of the campaign.

Team News

© Reuters

Leeds boss Bielsa said during Friday's press conference that Stuart Dallas could recover from injury in time for this weekend's clash, but Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Leo Hjelde, Patrick Bamford and Sam Greenwood remain unavailable for selection.

Junior Firpo has recently been absent with a thigh problem but is pushing to return to the starting XI here, while former Man United attacker Daniel James is in line to feature in the final third of the field.

Leeds have had their problems this season, but an exciting attack should again include Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Raphinha, while Bielsa could decide to strengthen his midfield with the introduction of Adam Forshaw.

As for Man United, Edinson Cavani remains unavailable for selection due to a groin issue, while Tom Heaton (groin) and Mason Greenwood (club suspension) will also be absent.

Nemanja Matic and Eric Bailly could both make the squad following recent injuries, though, and Raphael Varane is also back after missing out against Brighton on Tuesday through illness.

Rangnick could make three changes from the side that started against the Seagulls, with Paul Pogba potentially returning to the midfield in place of Fred, while Marcus Rashford could come in for Anthony Elanga in the final third of the field.

Alex Telles is also an option at left-back, but Rangnick is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack, even with the trip to Atletico in the Champions League coming soon after this match.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Firpo; Forshaw, Koch; Harrison, Rodrigo, Raphinha; James

Manchester United possible starting lineup:

De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Fernandes, McTominay, Pogba; Rashford, Ronaldo, Sancho

We say: Leeds United 1-2 Manchester United

Elland Road will be bouncing on Sunday, with the Leeds fans desperate to get one over on their rivals, and it should be an entertaining game between two attacking sides. The Whites have more than enough quality to find the back of the net, but we believe that Man United will shade a close contest to secure another important three points in their pursuit of a top-four finish.