Leicester v Man United: Who should be dropped and who should start | OneFootball

The King Power side put up a much improved performance against Champions League chasing Chelsea in their previous outing. Ruud van Nistelrooy will be hoping for more of the same fight against a struggling Manchester United. To help this though, the Dutchman needs to make some changes.

Tactically, there is little that needs alteration from the Chelsea tie. The broad set up was mostly what I would want from the team. However, I feel Leicester had chosen incorrect players to take up those roles.

Leicester City must drop these players

Nistelrooy's team needs to improve in three key respects: support for Jamie Vardy upfront, versatility on the wings, and passing out of a press. The main way opponents have broken us down is to keep us under intense pressue, and when most of our players prefer to progress with the ball at their feet rather than make a pass, we end up with searching long balls finding an alone Englishman unable to win the second ball and often giving away at the first ball.

As such, Patson Daka has got to be dropped against the Red Devils. Although a perfectly fine player, the Zambian was not nearly explosive enough to support Vardy, not nearly strong enough or composed enough to retain the ball, and not nearly creative enough. If playing alongside the English striker, we need a player who will help spread the defense and press hard, if playing behind then we need someone who is significantly more creative and a better link between players.

On the wings, the wing-backs Victor Kristiansen and James Justin are not what we need. Neither have been defensively resilient this season and they barely create chances or progress the ball. When the Danish defender has progressed the ball and worked with a creative player like Bilal El Khannouss, the Foxes have seen success. Leicester City need more of that progressive intent, mixed with a stronger defensive instinct.

In midfield, the King Power side do seem to be mostly alright. It is imperfect of course, but much better than our defense. There, Nistelrooy must focus on how we pass the ball out from the back and to the wing-backs, forwards, or creative midfielders. Wilfred Ndidi is undroppable, so only Boubakary Soumare makes any sense: despite performing well, the player prefers to progress through carrying, which has led to stagnation when we want to hit teams on the break. Great when we are in heavy possession, less useful when Leicester are struggling.

Who should start instead

If these four should be dropped, then the question remains of who should replace them in the starting line-up. For me, we must look for impact, passion, and passing prowess. This leaves a smal number of options for the East Midlanders to choose from.

Supporting Vardy and Khannouss has to be Facundo Buonanotte. The Argentinian is wasteful, a little too eager at times, and can lose possession with excessive attempts at flicks and tricks. However, the sheer impact that young midfielder can have on the tempo of a game is inspiring. 'Facu' can collect the ball, pass it well between others, make wild creative players, and loves to press the opposition into making mistakes. Whether alongside or behind the English forward, Facu is the answer.

At the wings, Kasey McAteer and Ricardo Pereira are the only choices I feel strongly can bring the passion and defensive intent to really offer us something different on those wings. McAteer loves putting in a challenge, so can be supported by Luke Thomas better. The academy graduate also loves to progress the ball up the wings while working with midfielders. Meanwhile, 'Ricky P' is of course a loyal and powerful player, even in coming back from injury, I cannot wait to see him start.

In midfield, Harry Winks is the obvious choice. From deep or high up the pitch, Winks can recieve the ball, make a great switching play or pass intricately through to Khannouss and Buonanotte. Leicester City have to start someone that can break a press with a pass or find the right ball to break on the counter. Winks is that man.