Manchester United will be looking to record a fifth successive win in all competitions when they welcome arch-rivals Leeds United to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
United, who have won both of their last two meetings with the Whites, scoring nine goals in the process, will be looking to build on Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Crystal Palace and move level on points with neighbours Manchester City. Goals either side of half-time from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford moved the Reds up to third in the table and to within three points of City.
Victory over Palace marked a 13th successive home win for United, meaning they will be determined to continue their excellent run on their own patch against their rivals from across the Pennines, who will arrive in M16 without a permanent boss following Jesse Marsch's sacking on Monday.
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Saturday's win over Palace marked United's first Premier League outing in almost a fortnight following a hat-trick of cup matches, meaning manager Erik ten Hag reverted back to a more familiar line-up after making a few changes for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final triumph over Nottingham Forest last Wednesday evening. David de Gea was among those to return and he is expected to continue in goal once again.
The Spaniard, who has admitted that he is confident of putting pen to paper on a new contract at United, has started every Premier League game since the start of last season and is just one clean sheet away from surpassing last season's tally of eight in the league. He will be determined to add one to his collection after failing to keep one in each of United's last four league games.
Ahead of De Gea, Ten Hag could choose to make one change to the back-four that started against Palace by handing a start to Diogo Dalot at right-back. The Portugal international has not featured since the Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Charlton Athletic last month because of a hamstring problem, but was among the substitutes on Saturday, meaning he could come back into the side and hand Aaron Wan-Bissaka a breather.
However, Ten Hag is likely to stick with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the heart of the defence. Luke Shaw, too, is expected to keep his place at left-back.
It is in central midfield where Ten Hag faces his biggest decisions, as he will be without both Christian Eriksen (injured) and Casemiro (suspended). The duo, along with Fernandes, have formed a formidable trio in midfield this season, meaning United will have a very different look.
Considering Scott McTominay is also still sidelined, deadline day signing Marcel Sabitzer and Fred will be in line to start. The latter started in place of Eriksen at the weekend while Sabitzer stepped off the bench as a late substitute and could be rewarded with his first start.
Ten Hag will also be forced into making one change in attack. Antony will miss out because of an unspecified injury problem and could be replaced by Jadon Sancho, who recently returned from a lengthy absence. Wout Weghorst and Rashford are expected to keep their places.
United predicted line-up vs Leeds United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fred, Sabitzer, Fernandes; Sancho, Weghorst, Rashford.
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