Manchester United (2-0-0) vs Leicester City (1-0-1)

Saturday 12:30 PM ET Old Trafford

It’s only the third game of the season and Leicester will face their toughest opponent yet. Manchester United have started the season off with a bang, winning each match 4-0, and they’ve just gotten stronger with the announcement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic signing on to play one more year. While he’ll play no part in this match, it’s still an a tough test this early in the season for Shakespeare’s men.

How to Watch

NBC will host this match starting at 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT. As always you can catch up on the previous morning games on NBCSN and for those on the go, feel free to catch it on the NBC Sports app.

The Competition

United’s Romelu Lukaku and teammates Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial have been on fire. Lukaku has three goals in two games, while Pogba and Martial both have two in two. Swansea had managed to stutter the Red Devils offense for most of the first half until Eric Bailly found the net from a corner before halftime.

Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

While Leicester have already allowed four goals this season, the Foxes will need to put on a masterclass at defense if they’re to pull of the first real upset of the season.

The Foxes

Fresh off a 4-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Caraboa Cup, Craig Shakespeare gave a squad fitness update earlier on Thursday. Captain Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy, Namplays Mendy and Danny Drinkwater all fully trained making them available for selection come Saturday. Harry Maguire picked up a knock in his knee against Sheffield and had a half training session, as did Kelechi Iheanacho. Robert Huth and Vicente Iborra are still the only major names missing in action with hopes they’ll return after the international break.

Islam Slimani, Ahmed Musa, and Demari Gray were the stars from the cup victory against Sheffield, so expect them to at least be on the bench on Saturday.

The Lineups

Here are the predicted starting 11’s for each side.

Sky Sports

Sky Sports

The appointed official for this match is Michael Oliver.

The History

Manchester United and Leicester City have had some eventful matchups over the past couple of seasons. Last year there was the Community Shield. The year before Leicester could have clinched the title at Old Trafford. No one will forget in the season of the Greatest Escape that magical 5-3 victory.

Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Prediction

I expect fireworks, goals, and a massive scoreline. Especially if Riyad Mahrez starts. Last year United tore the Foxes apart down his flank and they were up 3-0 almost immediately as the match started. But that was last year, and Leicester look more well rounded this year. I think the match will end in a 4-4 draw, but if Shakespeare was to do the unthinkable and bench Mahrez to start Ben Chilwell on the left and Marc Albrighton on the right, Leicester could pull off a massive upset.