Manchester United have seen a very unwanted trend in recent weeks. The Red Devils have conceded early goals, being forced to come from behind to win.
In the case of their Champions League matchday 6 game versus RB Leipzig, they couldn’t come back and crashed out of the tournament.
🍽 Perfect lunchtime viewing 😋#MUFC @PaulPogba pic.twitter.com/V6LaNVqOJz— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 18, 2020
🍽 Perfect lunchtime viewing 😋#MUFC @PaulPogba pic.twitter.com/V6LaNVqOJz
On Thursday night versus Sheffield United, Manchester United conceded in the fifth minute, yet still came from behind to win 3-2 thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford (two) and Anthony Martial.
Although behind league leaders Liverpool by five points (with a game in hand), talk on Friday is high that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can lead Manchester United to the title.
That is the problem with Manchester United and their supporters this season. A few good results raise expectations only for them to be crushed with a loss.
On Sunday, the Red Devils will welcome long-time rival Leeds United to Old Trafford. Marcelo Bielsa’s team are inconsistent but coming off of a 5-2 win at home versus Newcastle United. Leeds United sit in 13th place with 17 points from 39 possible.
Their win against Newcastle United ended a two-match losing streak. The scoreline for the game flattered the Whites as their third, fourth, and fifth goals came in the final 13 minutes of the game after Newcastle United had levelled the scoreline at 2-2.
Solskjaer will have one eye on Manchester United’s Wednesday night Carabao Cup quarterfinal versus Everton. The Red Devils lost at the semifinal stage last term to Manchester City. Solskjaer will know that he needs to win silverware this term to stay in the job in 2021-22.
Bielsa’s team have taken nine points from 18 possible on the road. They have been outscored 11-10 and allowed other teams to score in three of their six away games.
Leeds United have played well against the top clubs. They put three goals past Liverpool in a losing effort, gained a 1-1 draw with Manchester City and defeated Everton 1-0 away.
Manchester United’s home form has been their Achilles heel this season in the league. They have taken a mere five points from 18 possible at Old Trafford, but results have improved recently. Four of their five points taken have come in their last two games at home.
Bielsa has four long-term absentees set to miss the game. Centre-backs Diego Llorente and Robin Koch are on the shelf as is Adam Forshaw and Gaetano Berardi.
Edinson Cavani and Marcos Rojo are the only two new names on Solskjaer’s injury list. Rojo is a forgotten man at Old Trafford and is expected to leave in January.
Manchester United lead the league’s form table and should add to their excellent run of Premier League results with a win at home against Leeds United.
It could be a shaky start, but the Red Devils should pull out a win with under 2.5 goals scored.