Joaquin admission
19.02.2023 - 09:25 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United return to Premier League action this Sunday as they look to stay in the title race against Leicester City.
After Manchester City's 3-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday night, United now sit just five points behind both title rivals in third, with the result handing Erik ten Hag's Premier League chances a boost. United enter the clash against Leicester following a 2-2 draw against Barcelona in the Europa League, with Ten Hag potentially set to rest some players ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Marcus Rashford scored in the draw against Barca, meaning the forward has now found the net in his last four games in a row. Sunday's opposition Leicester have hit a patch of good form recently, scoring four goals in each of their last two games, beating Aston Villa 4-2 and Spurs 4-1.
READ MORE: Barcelona could be without three key midfielders for United second leg
So, could Ten Hag’s side continue their impressive home record this season? Let's take a look.
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that United could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Fred, Fernandes, Sabitzer; Sancho, Weghorst, Rashford.
We predict that the visitors could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ward; Castagne, Souttar, Faes, Kristiansen; Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall; Tete, Maddison, Barnes; Iheanacho.
As they always seem to do at home, United controlled the opening stages, with the visitors struggling to maintain United's attacking prowess. The Foxes did themselves no favours though, with an error at the back allowing Wout Weghorst to put
Joaquin admission
Real Betis captain Joaquin admitted it will be difficult for the Spanish side to progress to the next round of the Europa League after losing heavily to Manchester United in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
UEFA have explained why Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford 'nominally tops the rankings' in the Europa League scoring charts, despite the England ace being level at the summit.
Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini insisted his side would not give up in their Europa League tie with Manchester United, despite losing 4-1 in the first leg.
Manchester United loanee Amad was keen to praise Reds youngster Facundo Pellistri after his impressive cameo performance in the victory over Real Betis in the Europa League.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been criticised by Paul Merson for opting to play Wout Weghorst in the deeper number 10 role against Liverpool.
Manchester United will be looking to put last week's humiliating defeat behind them as Erik ten Hag's side face Real Betis in the Europa League Round of 16.
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are both in agreement that Manchester United will win at Anfield on Sunday, but Mark Lawrenson has backed the home side to secure victory.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Marcus Rashford ahead of his side's meeting with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has compared James Maddison to Manchester United midfielder Casemiro - saying both players have the ability to improve those around them.
West Ham striker Michael Antonio has backed Manchester United to make a shock charge for the Premier League title this season.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Erik ten Hag's side will still finish above Arsenal in the Premier League table this season.
Manchester United can dare to dream about winning an unprecedented quadruple this campaign after finally ending their trophy hoodoo by lifting the Carabao Cup.
Manchester United face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday with both sides looking to claim the first available trophy of the season.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes hailed the partnership Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford have developed this season ahead of Thursday night's Europa League clash with Barcelona at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag is backing Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst to follow in teammate Marcus Rashford's footsteps and find the goals his performances have deserved.
Leicester City midfielder James Maddison reaggravated an ongoing knee issue during the 3-0 defeat against Manchester United and need to assess the player's fitness ahead of the weekend's match against Arsenal.
Former Premier League player-turned-pundit Robbie Earle believes that a particular piece of man management from Erik ten Hag earlier this month evidenced that the manager and Marcus Rashford have "almost a mutual respect" for each other that is getting the best out of the striker.
Jadon Sancho is back with a bang for Manchester United and has the platform to become the "superstar" that former Liverpool favourite Jamie Carragher predicted upon his arrival.
Peter Schmeichel congratulated David de Gea after the Spaniard equalled his tally for the most clean sheets for Manchester United.