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da betsson： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
After seeing the early momentum gained from a 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea quickly evaporate, Manchester United return to Premier League action on Saturday with a point to prove. The Red Devils are winless in their last three league games, and already find themselves seven points behind arch-rivals Liverpool at the top of the table.
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side hoped for an ‘easy’ fixture to play after the end of the international break, then that certainly will not be the case. Leicester make the trip to Old Trafford after making an unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign, and find themselves in third place.
Having already drawn away at Chelsea, Brendan Rodgers’ team will definitely fancy their chances of getting another big result.
On the chalkboard
If either side are intent on claiming all three points at the weekend, then the midfield battle between Paul Pogba and James Maddison could very well decide the outcome. And judging by the numbers, both have had decent campaigns so far.
For all the criticism thrown at Pogba this season, particularly in the aftermath of the penalty fiasco at Wolves, the France World Cup winner has been one of United’s stand-out players. The 26-year-old may infuriate some with his penchant for fancy flicks and tricks, but he never shirks the responsibility of trying to create something for his team.
Maddison similarly runs the show for Leicester in the final third, and his performances both this season and last have seen his name linked with a possible move to Old Trafford in the future.
The 22-year-old has proven his quality in making chances for others with his 2.3 key passes per game, and also for trying to get on the score-sheet himself with 3.3 shots per game.
On Saturday, Pogba may have to be slightly more wary of matching his averages of 1.5 dribbles and 1.8 shots per game. Leicester’s renowned counter-attacking style means the Frenchman should think twice about marauding forward, and perhaps keep a much-closer eye on the spaces Maddison occupies. If the latter gets on the ball with time and space to pick out a pass for someone like Jamie Vardy, rest assured he will find it.
It promises to be a fascinating encounter between United’s present and potentially their future. If Pogba can get on the ball and dominate the play like his numbers suggest, then the Red Devils stand a great chance of registering just their second win of the season. But if he fails to keep Maddison in check, then Leicester could run riot at Old Trafford.
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