Predicted Man Utd XI to face Leeds, three changes as Reds plan to return to winning ways

Manchester United travel to take on Leeds in one of the most heated rivalries in English football history. Michael Carrick is expected to make changes to his team that suffered defeat against Atletico Madrid.

Every game is a must-win for Manchester United at the moment. Michael Carrick is under immense pressure as the Reds have only won two of their first nine matches across all competitions.

Carrick is only heading one way unless there’s a significant improvement in the coming weeks. A good place to start is by beating Leeds at Elland Road. They’ve enjoyed a decent start to the season and go into the game after putting up a fight against Premier League champions Arsenal.

After losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid, Carrick will make some changes, provided Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw pass late fitness tests. Both players missed the midweek fixture in Madrid but have since returned to training.

Manchester United’s line-up vs Leeds

One player who would have been disappointed on Tuesday night is Matheus Cunha, after being benched and not getting onto the pitch against his former club until the latter stages of the match. Although there is plenty of appetite to see Cunha play on the left instead of Marcus Rashford, the Brazilian doesn’t make our predicted XI. Make of that what you will.

There are a total of three changes in the United In Focus predicted XI for United’s trip to Elland Road.

Senne Lammens: It’s been a difficult period for Lammens, having to play behind an unsettled back four each week. Leeds will be looking to make sure it’s a busy evening for the Belgian international.

Diogo Dalot: United haven’t got a wealth of quality options at right-back. It shows when Dalot walks into the team.

**Leny Yoro: **After a harsh red card against Atletico Madrid, Carrick should stand by Yoro and give him a start at centre-back against Leeds. He’s a better chance of having a future at Old Trafford than Harry Maguire. I also think he’s in better form than Ayden Heaven, who was tasked with playing at left-back during the week.

Lisandro Martinez: If United have fire in their bellies, which they should, they have Martinez to thank for that. He dared to speak out against Ineos on Tuesday night. Yoro needs an experienced partner at the back.

Luke Shaw: Granted he’s fully fit, Shaw will return to left-back. Otherwise, it’ll be easier for Leeds to exploit United down that flank.

Carlos Baleba: It’s time for Baleba’s first Premier League start in a United shirt. We need to get him starting regularly to form partnerships with his new teammates, including Mainoo, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

Kobbie Mainoo: Fingers crossed Kobbie Mainoo passes fit to play against Leeds. He’ll be missed otherwise. United fans will be eager to see the England international start a game alongside Baleba, with hope they can help form the spine of a successful United team in the future.

Bruno Fernandes: Back in his preferred No. 10 role, Fernandes will be tasked with pulling the strings in the final third. Tielemans was unable to do that against Atletico Madrid.

Amad Diallo: Back in the team after returning from injury, Amad will be eager to help United turn things around. He looks like a figure in disbelief at what is happening around him on the pitch, though his own performances haven’t been any better.

Bryan Mbeumo: Scored against Tottenham, but it wasn’t enough. He also missed two big chances in the first half against Atletico Madrid. He’s the best option Carrick has to lead the line with Benjamin Sesko ruled out.

Marcus Rashford: I think Carrick is going to play Rashford through this goal drought; hope he overcomes it soon and starts firing on all cylinders. It’s wishful thinking – and, as I said above, I’d prefer to see Cunha on the left side of United’s attack on Sunday.