English Premier League: How to watch Manchester United vs Leeds live on February 8, 2023

Topics: TV Schedules, Manchester United, Leeds, English Premier League

The Red Devils could go level on points with Manchester City with a win on Wednesday. However, the relegation-battling Peacocks will give it their all to come away from Old Trafford with something.

Manchester United are back in action in the Premier League, with the Red Devils preparing to face one of their oldest rivals in an intriguing midweek affair. The English giants will host none other than Leeds United, a club in utter chaos following their recent managerial change but with the ability to shock any club in this league.

The 20-time English champions head into this fixture on a bitter-sweet note. Their most recent outing was a home clash with Crystal Palace, a fixture they won — albeit narrowly — 2-1 thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and the in-form Marcus Rashford.

However, that Old Trafford clash saw Casemiro get sent off with the help of VAR as the Brazilian was penalized for putting his hands around Will Hughes' kneck during an altercation involving several players from both sides.

This means Erik ten Hag's side will have to make do without the former Real Madrid star for their next three games and the last time Casemiro was out, they ended up losing — though that defeat was against league leaders Arsenal.

However, Manchester United should head into this tie with tremendous confidence, partly due to the stellar form of Marcus Rashford, but for several other reasons as well. The Red Devils haven't dropped points at home in the English top flight since October and have been impeccable at the Theatre of Dreams since the end of the FIFA World Cup.

Additionally, Manchester City's 1-0 weekend defeat at Tottenham means Rashford and Co. have the golden opportunity to move level with their bitter rivals on 45 points. Additionally, they could move five points clear of fourth-placed Newcastle and six clear of sixth-placed Tottenham.

Leeds will face the daunting task of stopping the hosts' spectacular home run and the relegation-battling side will have to do this without a permanent manager. This is due to the sacking of Jesse Marsch, with the American tactician being relieved of his duty on Tuesday following the club's horrendous start to the season.

The Peacocks have won only four games this entire campaign and as a result, they are only outside of the danger zone due to their superior goal difference over 18th-placed Everton.

Leeds had gone three consecutive games unbeaten prior to their weekend encounter with Nottingham Forest, but only one of those three fixtures came in the league and that was a goalless draw with Brentford. Rodrigo and Co. then went on to lose 1-0 to the Reds, stretching their winless Premier League run to seven games, having triumphed only twice in their last 17 outings in this competition.

Michael Skubala has taken over on an interim basis until a replacement for Jesse Marsch is appointed and the caretaker's first job will be to pull off a result at Old Trafford. Given the club's recent record at the Theatre of Dreams, this will be a tough feat to achieve.

Team news

Manchester United: Casemiro is suspended after receiving a straight red over the weekend while Antony is injured, thus joining Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek, and Christian Eriksen on the sidelines. Scott McTominay isn't fully fit, which means Sabitzer could get his first start, while Diogo Dalot is back and should compete with Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a spot in the starting eleven.

Leeds: Robin Koch is back from suspension but Archie Gray, Rodrigo, Stuart Dallas, Sonny Perkins, and Adam Forshaw all remain sidelined. Meanwhile, Weston McKennie, who made his debut in the defeat to Nottingham Forest, will hope to get his first start.

Key stats

Leeds have lost seven of their last nine away games.
The visitors are winless in their last eight games with Premier League clubs sitting in the top three, losing seven and drawing one.
Manchester United have scored 11 goals and conceded only three in their two Old Trafford encounters with the Peacocks since securing promotion back in 2020 (6-2, 5-1).
During that exact period, the Red Devils have picked up 10 points out of a possible 12 against Leeds.
Ten Hag's men have won their last six Premier League fixtures in a row at the Theatre of Dreams and haven't lost at home since their opening day 2-1 loss to Brighton.