Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is facing three major selection dilemmas as he prepares his team to face Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Manchester United in the Premier League this Sunday afternoon. While Leicester City were soundly beaten 5-2 by Manchester United in the Carabao Cup last week, they should take confidence from the performance and feel they can cause problems when they return to Old Trafford. Cooper made a number of changes for the cup tie, but this time he will be naming his strongest possible lineup. However, recent performances, including the loss to United and a draw with Ipswich, may have altered what that “strongest XI” looks like. Writers Amie Wilson, Josh Holland, and Jordan Blackwell discuss the key selection decisions, including who should start at centre-back and whether Boubakary Soumare and Jordan Ayew deserve starting spots.
**Who should start at centre-back?**
Amie Wilson sees this as the toughest decision, but believes Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard should be the starting partnership. While Caleb Okoli has shown potential, his mistake against United stood out, and the pair of Faes and Vestergaard seems more solid overall. The two formed a strong partnership last season, which Wilson believes could be beneficial this time around, especially with Vestergaard’s passing ability complementing Faes’ defensive qualities. She acknowledges Okoli and Conor Coady as solid backup options, which could prove valuable later in the season.
Josh Holland, however, is torn. While he liked the Faes-Okoli pairing, he points to defensive issues like the number of chances and goals conceded, especially in the Nottingham Forest game. He feels Vestergaard’s experience helps calm Faes, adding stability and leadership, and his range of passing can be vital. Holland does feel for Okoli, but argues that Vestergaard’s added presence could benefit Leicester. Jordan Blackwell offers a more tactical viewpoint, suggesting that against United, Faes and Okoli’s speed would better counter the Red Devils’ dangerous counter-attacks. However, Blackwell acknowledges that Vestergaard’s ball-playing ability could reduce the chances of a misplaced pass leading to a United counter, especially if Leicester sticks with their inverted full-back system. The decision between Okoli and Vestergaard could greatly influence Leicester’s approach to the match.
**Should Soumare start in midfield?**
Boubakary Soumare’s inclusion in the starting XI is another tricky decision for Cooper. Wilson admits that Soumare’s form has been inconsistent since his arrival, but points to promising signs in his recent performances. His work in winning back the ball and driving forward against Ipswich was crucial in Leicester’s late equaliser, and Wilson believes he could be a valuable asset in the starting lineup. However, she questions where exactly Soumare would fit, suggesting that his inclusion might require dropping Wilfred Ndidi.
Josh Holland sees Soumare as offering more quality on the ball than Ndidi, though he acknowledges that consistency has been an issue for the Frenchman. He believes that Soumare’s defensive qualities, combined with his ability to drive forward, make him a good option for a match where Leicester will likely have to defend for long spells. Holland suggests that Soumare deserves a start at Old Trafford, though he needs to show the same level of consistency that made Leicester sign him in the first place.
Jordan Blackwell argues that if Soumare does start, it should be alongside Harry Winks, who would provide the necessary cover for Soumare’s occasional lapses in concentration. Blackwell notes that Soumare can lose track of runners or fail to get back quickly enough, so Winks’ more disciplined, sitting role would balance the midfield. Given Soumare’s impressive showing against United in the cup, and Ndidi’s less-than-stellar performance at Ipswich, Blackwell believes this might be the right time to take a gamble on Soumare.
**Should Ayew start and in which position?**
Jordan Ayew’s impact has often come off the bench this season, and Amie Wilson feels that’s where he’s most effective. His tenacity and experience make him a real threat against tired defenders, and his late-game contributions, including a crucial goal, have been vital. Wilson argues that starting Ayew could diminish his effectiveness, as his energy is better suited to the final stages of a match when defenders are worn down. Therefore, she would continue to use Ayew as an impact substitute.
Josh Holland, however, thinks Ayew should start, particularly after his recent performances in away games. With Stephy Mavididi struggling for form, Holland suggests that Ayew could replace him in the starting XI. While acknowledging Ayew’s value as a substitute, Holland feels Leicester cannot afford to overlook his contributions in recent matches. He would start Ayew alongside Bilal El Khannouss and Facundo Buonanotte, with Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu dropping out.
Jordan Blackwell, on the other hand, believes Ayew should remain a substitute. Despite Cooper’s comments about Ayew not wanting to be pigeonholed as a super-sub, Blackwell feels that Ayew’s best attributes—his intelligent movement and ability to exploit tiring defenders—are most effective later in the game. Starting Ayew could reduce the impact he has when defenders are fatigued. Blackwell would stick with the pace and directness of Mavididi and Fatawu on the wings, leaving Ayew to come on as a game-changer in the latter stages.
Each of these selections will play a pivotal role in shaping Leicester’s approach to Sunday’s Premier League encounter, and Steve Cooper will have to weigh up the pros and cons of each choice carefully.
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