Manchester United spent time at the Carton House Hotel in Dublin this week for a three-night training camp ahead of their clash with rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford on Monday, April 13. United are currently third in the Premier League with 55 points from 31 matches, holding a slim one-point lead over Aston Villa in the fight for a Champions League spot.
Since Michael Carrick took over in January after Ruben Amorim was let go, he has led the team to seven wins and just one loss in 10 games. Bruno Fernandes also recently passed David Beckham’s United record for Premier League assists in a single season, giving the squad a major boost. With the top-four race tightening up, every game is now a must-win.
Manchester United’s predicted lineup against Leeds United
Michael Carrick is dealing with several injuries and a suspension ahead of Monday’s game, but the starting XI still looks strong in every department.
André Onana will start in goal; the Cameroonian remains the preferred choice despite an up-and-down season. Harry Maguire is out due to a suspension, while Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martínez, Patrick Dorgu, and Matthijs de Ligt are all sidelined with injuries. These absences leave Carrick with very few choices in defence.
Diogo Dalot starts at right-back, where he’ll be expected to get forward and link up with the midfield as usual. Ayden Heaven will partner with Leny Yoro at centre-back. This is a big call, as Heaven is still a teenager and is stepping into a backline missing three senior players. Yoro’s calm presence next to him will be vital. Luke Shaw fills the left-back spot, returning from injury to add some much-needed experience to the defence.
In the midfield, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo will pair up in the double pivot. Carrick put Mainoo back next to Casemiro as soon as he arrived, and that duo is now the engine room of this United side. Casemiro sits in front of the defence and keeps the ball moving, while Mainoo drives forward with impressive confidence for his age. Together, they provide the balance the team need to let the attackers play.
Further forward, Matheus Cunha starts on the left, using his pace to stretch the Leeds defence. Bruno Fernandes takes the No. 10 role. This move has worked well under Carrick, who pushed him higher up the pitch after Amorim used him in a deeper role. Bryan Mbeumo starts on the right; his flair and ability to create something from nothing make him a constant threat. Benjamin Sesko starts up front as the lone striker. His strength and clinical finishing give United a target man to test a Leeds defence that has struggled lately, failing to score in their last four league matches.
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Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Heaven, Yoro, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
