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Joe Donnohue

Full Leeds United squad outlined ahead of Man United clash as Marcelo Bielsa spoilt for choice

Leeds United's first Premier League appearance at Old Trafford for 16 years is one which has supporters of both sides salivating.

Each team have suffered defensively this season, and yet their attacking has been a joy to behold - on both sides of the Pennines.

Marcus Rashford will go up against Raphinha; Patrick Bamford against Anthony Martial and Marcelo Bielsa versus Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Both Bamford and Raphinha will be expected to start against Manchester United, as Bielsa has an all but fully fit squad to pick from.

The biggest decision he will have to make is whether he needs to tinker with the starting XI which delivered five magnificent goals at Elland Road on Wednesday night.

Man Utd v Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa press conference

Aside from the obvious absentees; Robin Koch, Gaetano Berardi, Adam Forshaw and more than likely Diego Llorente, Bielsa's Leeds are fully stocked ahead of a Christmas cracker.

The greatest boost is that each of his attacking pawns from the victory over Newcastle United came through the midweek match unscathed and will be raring to get on the pitch yet again.

Jamie Shackleton and Leif Davis have returned to matchday squads in recent weeks, and while the game may be too much of a pressure-cooker environment for the youngsters to start, they may see some action.

Likewise, regularly called-upon substitute Ian Poveda could find himself a little hard done by that his performances off the bench have not yet been rewarded with starts, but that is down to the effectiveness of the players ahead of him.

It is highly likely Poveda will be involved in some capacity, with his pace a useful weapon to utilise on tired Manchester United legs who have had one day's less rest ahead of the fixture.

Leeds will be able to name nine substitutes this afternoon, following the midweek Premier League vote which saw clubs pass through a motion to extend the bench.

Full Leeds United squad: Illan Meslier, Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Ezgjan Alioski, Pablo Hernandez, Tyler Roberts, Kiko Casilla, Stuart Dallas, Raphinha, Rodrigo, Pascal Struijk, Jack Harrison, Ian Poveda, Helder Costa, Leif Davis, Mateusz Klich, Jamie Shackleton.

Leeds United take on Manchester United at Old Trafford at 16:30 this afternoon.

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