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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Omar Garrick

Nemanja Matic can bring the best out of Paul Pogba in Manchester United's trip to Leicester City

Manchester United face a difficult away trip to Leicester City on Saturday afternoon, despite the Foxes' recent poor run of form.

United have mustered just two victories in their previous six outings, while Brendan Rodgers' side have picked up just two wins from their opening seven league games.

Both teams are missing a number of key players ahead of Saturday's clash, with the home side without Wesley Fofana, James Justin and Wilfred Ndidi. Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is unable to call upon the likes of Edinson Cavani, Fred and Raphael Varane.

Here's the team news for the big clash at the King Power Stadium:

Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, Matic; Greenwood, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.

Leicester: Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Amartey, Castagne; Soumare, Tielemans, Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy.

Can Matic bring the best out of Pogba?

I've said in the build-up to this match that Solskjaer had to play Nemanja Matic for two reasons; one, because he's the only holding midfielder at the club, and two, he'll get the best out of Paul Pogba.

Where Pogba would start against Leicester was a big talking point leading up to the game and him being back in the middle is a positive move. Off the back of his brilliant performance in the Nations League final, he had to start as the number eight.

United need some creativity in the middle of the pitch and they certainly have that now.

Sancho over Rashford

This is a big call by Solskjaer and one that I hope will pay off. Marcus Rashford has apparently looked sharp in training since he's returned and there was talk of him potentially starting against the Foxes, but United's manager has opted to start his fellow England international instead.

It's definitely an exciting move because it's unexpected. Sancho has spent a lot of time on the bench since his move to Old Trafford in the summer, but when he came on against Everton in the second half he was one of United's best players. He looked confident, positive and was a real livewire against the Toffees.

I have no doubt that Rashford will come on at some point but this is a nice surprise from Solskjaer.

Maguire starting is a risk

It's big news that captain Harry Maguire is back in the team after getting injured in the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.

Is this a surprise? Absolutely, especially as Solskjaer said in his pre-match press conference that he'd only just returned "to the grass", so it's a massive risk. Will it pay off? Only time will tell.

You can understand why Solskjaer has opted to start his captain. If we're going off the last five games Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have played together, United have drawn three times and lost twice. One of those matches was against Leicester when United drew 2-2 at the King Power Stadium.

What do you think about the team news? Follow our United On My Mind writer Omar Garrick on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below.

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