EPL: Manchester United obligated to spoil Leicester City’s party
By Edgar Acero
Sunday’s EPL meeting between Manchester United and Leicester City is far more crucial for the Red Devils than for the Foxes.
Leicester City is finally on the verge of making history in the English Premier League after orchestrating one of the most unlikely runs in modern soccer. Three more points will secure what was once an impossibility for Claudio Ranieri and his men: win the EPL trophy.
They could do it at Old Trafford this Sunday when they face Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United in what could be an almost poetic conclusion. After all, they would be securing the championship at the home of the most successful club in the league. How fitting.
Still, the Foxes are not necessarily forced to walk away from Manchester with three points in the bag and the title. With another two games to go, Leicester City could win it at home against Everton on May 7 or at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea a week later. It’s obvious that winning the title at home would be something truly special for the club and its fans, while securing it away at Chelsea would be a real kick in the teeth to club owner Roman Abramovich, who 11 years ago dismissed Ranieri soon after he bought the club. How very fitting.
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While the options are open for Leicester City, who are seven points clear at the top of the EPL, Manchester United reach the game with their backs against the wall. A place in the top four and the spot in the UEFA Champions League that it represents are still very much a possibility as they’re currently in fifth place on the table, sitting five points behind Manchester City and Arsenal with a game in hand. A United win against the Foxes would keep the chase on and set up a thrilling conclusion between the two Manchester clubs and the Gunners.
It is certainly within the realm of possibilities for United to walk away with the important win. They’ve won six out of their last seven games in all competitions and Wayne Rooney has been able to settle quickly after a long hiatus due to injury. That, an always important home advantage, and a red-hot set of youngsters in Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford could hand the Red Devils the points they desperately need.
Additionally, Leicester City will be without Jaime Vardy, who was handed a ban and a fine by the Football Association for improper conduct. The Foxes’ top scorer was sent off for diving in the 2-2 draw against West Ham and given a further one-match ban for his reaction at the referee.
Still, Vardy’s absence hasn’t been a problem for Leicester as Leonardo Ulloa has filled in the spot perfectly. The Argentinean forward heroically scored against West Ham in the dying moments of the game to secure a crucial point and found the back of the net twice in the 4-0 thrashing of Swansea City last week.
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“It’s going to be a great game,” said Antonio Valencia in an interview with United Review. “They’re fighting to win the title; we’re going for the top four. We’re hoping to get what we want from the game.”