Manchester United v Leicester City: Combined Starting XI
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Daniel Drinkwater of Leicester City in action during The FA Community Shield match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Leicester City travel to Manchester United this coming weekend in a match that sees to frustrated sides get the opportunity to turn things around in the Theatre of Dreams.
Leicester have had a rocky road so far in their title defending campaign as they sit 11th in the table with only two wins to their name since the start of the season.
Manchester United won their opening three matches of the season but since the international break have been leaking goals and dropping points domestically and in Europe, and finally broke their streak against Northampton in the League Cup on Wednesday.
Both sides need to get their feet under them and get their Premier League campaigns back under way.
Headed toward the weekend lets take a look at just what kind of side we can make out of the first elevens of both of these top level clubs if we had a 4-2-3-1 system.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Kasper Schmeichel of Leicester City in action during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Swansea City at The King Power Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
GK – Kasper Schmeichel
While I know I will get some stick for not picking David de Gea, I truly believe he is one of the best in the Premier League, but Schmeichel has had a stronger start to the season.
The Dane’s distribution at the back and his at times sweeper-keeper ability I believe would be better suited to this combined XI’s potential ability to win games.
Plus his dad was a United legend so he gets bonus points for that.
HULL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Antonio Valencia of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Hull City and Manchester United at KC Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
RB – Antonio Valencia
Pace, power, tenacity, tackling prowess and all out beast mode ability in attack when he goes into, “I used to be a winger,” mindset, Manchester United converted right back Antonio Valencia is the real deal.
There are few right backs in the league that have the potential attacking threat on offer that Valencia does and he has had a great start to his campaign thus far.
HULL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Wes Morgan of Leicester City heads the ball while under pressure from Abel Hernandez of Hull City during the Premier League match between Hull City and Leicester City at KCOM Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
RCB – Wes Morgan
It was a tough call between Wes Morgan and Eric Bailly, but the veteran Foxes’ captain gets the edge on the recent summer signing.
Morgan is a stalwart at the back and his ability to read the game is getting better with age even if he is not quite as fast as he once was.
His physical presence gives power and poise to the back line and he would be the aerial power in set piece situations.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Daley Blind of Manchester United in action during The FA Community Shield match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
LCB – Daily Blind
Although playing in the heart of defense has become a recent development for the 26-year-old Dutchman, Blind has been solid for United and has had a better start to the season than any of the main center backs in contention between the two sides.
His ability to also play better with the ball at his feet because of his previous positional placement and training also makes him the most versatile for tactical deployment of a side.
LB – Christian Fuchs
The Austrian defender has had the best start to the campaign in the Leicester back four and has been consistent from match one and put in a Man of the Match performance against Burnley last weekend.
He likes to tackle and get involved on the offense and make himself a part of the game from the opening whistle.
WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on September 18, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
RDM – Marouane Fellaini
The big Belgian was not expected to be a major part of Jose Mourinho’s plans, however, he has looked as dedicated as ever in a Red Devils kit this season and is making the most of his opportunity to keep Morgan Schneiderlin on the bench.
WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Paul Pogba of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on September 18, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LDM – Paul Pogba
The record signing himself has still yet to really hit his stride this season, but so far Pogba has looked strong in his Premier League return.
With expectations of him only to get stronger over the coming months as he reaches peak fitness and gets his understanding down with his squad mates.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 30: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City during the ICC Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Leicester City at StubHub Center on July 30 , 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
RW -Riyad Mahrez
The Algerian is still yet to really hit his stride this season but he is starting to show flashes of the brilliance he displayed last year.
Having racked up three goals so far this season he still has been making an impact more than his performances have collectively shown and his ability to pop up with a big play earns him a place in the combined XI.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Danny Drinkwater of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
CM – Danny Drinkwater
This season Drinkwater has been Leicester most consistent and best player. Constantly dictating play from the middle of the park and creating space for the attackers in front of him.
He could be an excellent forward minded midfielder in a combined 4-2-3-1.
HULL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Juan Mata of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Hull City and Manchester United at KC Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
LW – Juan Mata
Since he was sold to Manchester United by Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese’s title run in 2014-15, it was believed that Mata might once again end up on the chopping block for the Red Devils new manager.
However, Mata has proven to be ready to play and prove his worth and is likely to be a major part in the club’s season due to his versatility.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United in action with Kasper Schmeichel of Leicester City during the FA Community Shield match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
ST – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
There are few forward as complete as the 34-year-old Swede and despite his age, Ibra just keeps on ticking it up a notch.
With four goals in five matches already this season he could well be on his way to a prolific campaign in England just as he has had all over Europe, proving once more than he is ready for whatever challenge is put in front of him.
More from Foxes of Leicester
This article originally appeared on 
