The form, or the sheer lack of, that both Leicester and Manchester United are encountering, it’d not be unnatural for fans to wish his team had some players from the team they are playing against. With that in mind, T4O chalks up the best possible combined playing 11 drawing from the teams of Leicester City, who entertain Manchester United this weekend.
Goal-keeper
David De Gea
An absolute cert in starting line-up. The Spaniard’s defiant form kept Manchester United in matches they had no right to be winning/drawing, last season, and it seems like he has carried on that form, despite an embarrassing showing from his rearguard vs Walter Mazzarri’s Watford. Neither of Ron-Robert Zieler and Kasper Schmeichel have managed to convince the Leicester faithful this season, so far.
Right-back
Antonio Valencia
Danny Simpson, the former Manchester United graduate, for all his virtues, lags behind the power, drive and dogged determination of the South American winger-turned-wing-back from Ecuador. Has been a fixture in the starting eleven, is one of the first names in Jose Mourinho’s team-sheets.
Left-back
Christian Fuchs
Christian Fuchs gets the nod over Luke Shaw purely because of the consistency levels the Austrian brings to the table. Returning from a being sidelined for a long while, Luke is yet to set a marker down which highlights the overlay Manchester United laid on Southampton’s table.
Centre-backs
Eric Bailly and Wes Morgan
The brick and mortar qualities of Wes Morgan and Eric Bailly would give this team a concrete foundation. Coming from a slower-paced La Liga, Eric has done well to adjust to the blue collared realities of the English game, poised and ready for the aerial challenges. His physical prowess will fit in well beside the burly bastion of Wes Morgan.
Central Midfielders
Danny Drinkwater and Morgan Schneiderlin
What both these team criminally lacking a defensive midfielder of unquestionable quality, it’d be the task of French international [no, not Paul Pogba] and an England international to form the first line of defensive resistance. Danny Drinkwater, another Manchester United graduate, has carved out a name for himself as a midfield playmaker and would offer better recycling of possession than Paul Pogba or any of the other United midfielders, barring perhaps Michael Carrick. Morgan Schneiderlin would have enough about him to play a better defensive foil than the inexperience of Daniel Amartey and unproven Nampalys Mendy, having impressed against Northampton.
Right Wing-attacker
Riyad Mahrez
In a 4-2-2-2, Riyad Mahrez would move in closer to the box and offer a more consistent goal threat than what he so far has provided this season.
Left Wing-attacker
Marcus Rashford
In red-hot form, the England Under-21 international would have a lot of joy cutting in from the wings, to getting to the edge of the box.
Forwards
Zlatan and Islam Slimani
The big, burly blitzkrieg-ability of Islam Slimani and Zlatan should be too much to handle for any defence in the league. Apart from their overly apparent presence in the box, either can play with their backs to goal, giving Riyad Mahrez and Marcus Rashford to perfect reference points in attack to play off of.
