Manchester United: Leicester game comes at perfect time for Red Devils

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Michael Carrick of Manchester United and Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Michael Carrick of Manchester United and Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Manchester United are set to take on Leicester City on Sunday, in a game which the Red Devils must win.

Manchester United and Jose Mourinho have been in the headlines this week. The United boss has caused a stir, and what that usually means is that Mourinho is trying to deflect the attention away from something.

That something on this occasion is, presumably, United dropping points recently and falling behind the other top four contenders. United have drawn their last three Premier League games, and although that means they are unbeaten in the league for 14 games now, the team need wins not draws.

Being unbeaten sounds pretty good, but 38 draws would likely get you relegated, so it can be overrated. United’s rivals for the top four are four points ahead of United at this point. Local rivals Manchester City also sit in between United and the top four and are tied for 4th place at present.

A few weeks ago, City looked ripe for the picking, but have since rallied after the arrival of Brazilian sensation Gabriel Jesus. So the news isn’t getting any better for Mourinho and Manchester United. Which is why the Red Devils now need to take matter into their own hands.

More from Editorials

Any more draws or, even worse, a defeat will only invite more pressure. United need a win and, luckily, Leicester City offer the perfect opportunity for that this weekend. The Foxes are tumbling down the Premier League table this season after being crowned champions last year.

Claudio Ranieri’s men have won just one of their last five games, and are currently on a three-game losing streak. They’ve conceded seven goals in those three games and failed to score a single goal themselves.

Make no mistake, Leicester are in abysmal form in an already awful season. Gone is the scary counter-attack and stubborn defense of last year. In it’s place is something a shadow of the outfit that shocked the sporting world last season.

Leicester are better at home than they are away – on the road they are second-worst team in the division. But despite that, United now have the perfect opportunity for a much-needed win on Sunday.

Next: Predicting Chelsea vs. Arsenal, all weekend games

A win could get some positive headlines and confidence back. It might even make up some ground for on a top four rival or two if results allow. Regardless, United must beat Leicester in order to get their season back on the right track.

The team might well be unbeaten in three games, but they’re also three games without a win. It must not become four.