Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 29.
Team analysis: Manchester United
Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd have come to life this week, producing some of their most vibrant football of the season so far.
They caused Arsenal numerous problems last weekend on the counter-attack, and they followed it up by delivering a deserved 4-1 success against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League.
It was one of their biggest wins under the Portuguese head coach, who will have been thrilled with the new-found dynamism on show.
This uplift in form could be bad news for Leicester City and Ruud van Nistelrooy, when they travel to the King Power Stadium on Sunday evening.
A super showing in midweek
There was a positive energy about Amorim’s side against Real Sociedad.
Rasmus Hojlund (3 shots) and Joshua Zirkzee (4 shots) didn’t score but both forwards looked sharp and full of purpose with their running.
They will be frustrated not to have found the back of the net with a combined 1.25 Expected Goals (xG) but their respective performance levels showed genuine promise.
The speed of Man Utd’s attacks was eye catching, often through the lively Alejandro Garnacho.
In truth, this was the closest they have looked to replicating Amorim’s impressive Sporting side in a tactical sense.
They racked up 25 shots (a season high) as well as an xG tally of 4.25 against Real Sociedad.
Man Utd v Real Sociedad shooting stats
| Stat | Total | Shots by player | |
| Shots | 25 | Bruno Fernandes | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shots on target | 10 | Patrick Dorgu | 5 |
| Shots in box | 16 | Joshua Zirkzee | 4 |
| Big chances | 6 | Rasmus Hojlund | 3 |
| xG | 4.25 | Alejandro Garnacho | 3 |
Mazraoui’s versatility shining through
Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui offers his head coach so many tactical options, and this has come to the fore in recent matches.
With Patrick Dorgu serving the final match of his suspension this weekend we are likely to see the 27-year-old feature as a right wing-back once again, with Diogo Dalot switching to the left.
Mazraoui was top class against Arsenal in that position, getting forward superbly to almost score and create a second Man Utd goal.
Too often Amorim’s wing-backs have been pushed deep into a back five, but across the last three halves of football, Mazraoui, Dalot and Dorgu have released the shackles, playing with a sense of adventure.
But for two phenomenal David Raya saves, Mazraoui would have scored and assisted against the Gunners.
His volley was saved brilliantly with a trailing leg, and a cutback for Bruno Fernandes sparked a memorable double save.
After the relative success of Leicester’s switch to a back-five in their 1-0 loss at Chelsea, I sense that Van Nistelrooy will persist with a 3-4-2-1 shape.
This means Viktor Kristiansen and Luke Thomas will be asked to contain Mazraoui and the in-form Garnacho.
The young Argentinian has been excellent down the right-wing in United’s last three matches, so curbing this pair will not be an easy task.
Mazraoui’s adaptability is also worth a mention, as he has been used in several different positions this season.
Mazraoui positions/minutes played 24/25
Fernandes on fire
Where would Man Utd be without star-man Fernandes?
Amorim has reinvented his captain as a central midfielder in recent months, and it’s a role he appears to be relishing.
Since getting sent off on Boxing Day, the 30-year-old has produced nine goals and three assists in 16 matches in all competitions.
And in 2025, Fernandes has been directly involved in 12 of their 27 goals.
He scored twice from direct free-kicks against Everton and Arsenal, earning his side a point on each occasion.
For this reason Leicester would be well advised to tread carefully when making challenges around the edge of their own box.
Fernandes’s tally of seven goals also features three penalties, meaning he has scored just twice from open play in the Premier League this season.
One of those was against Leicester in the reverse fixture, curling a beauty into the far corner, following a 1-2 with Amad.
United’s main man
Fernandes’ leadership skills are often questioned, but in terms of output he certainly leads by example.
Since making his debut in February 2020, the Portuguese star has been nothing short of talismanic, and that influence is stronger now than it has ever been.
No one at Old Trafford has been selected to play more often since arrived, and he also leads the way for goals and assists.
Man Utd stat leaders since Fernandes' debut
| Matches played | Goals | Assists | |||
| Bruno Fernandes | 186 | Bruno Fernandes | 61 | Bruno Fernandes | 48 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Rashford | 154 | Marcus Rashford | 46 | Marcus Rashford | 22 |
| Harry Maguire | 136 | Anthony Martial | 21 | Paul Pogba | 13 |
His unrivalled status as their chief creator, from set-pieces and in open play, is highlighted in the table below.
Just look at how many chances Fernandes has produced compared to his team-mates.
Man Utd output leaders since Fernandes' debut
| Goals and assists | Chances created | ||
| Bruno Fernandes | 109 | Bruno Fernandes | 507 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Rashford | 68 | Luke Shaw | 169 |
| Anthony Martial | 29 | Marcus Rashford | 131 |
This season alone he has made 60 chances, 21 more than Amad in second place.
With the Ivorian out injured, Fernandes’ tally equates to a couple more than the next three most creative United players combined; Garnacho (22), Dalot (18) and Casemiro (18).
Can Van Nistelrooy claim a hat-trick of wins?
This will be the fourth time Van Nistelrooy has managed Man Utd or Leicester in this fixture during 2024/25.
He won the first as interim manager of Man Utd on 30 October, knocking the Foxes out of the EFL Cup with a 5-2 win.
Eleven days later he inspired a 3-0 Premier League success for United, before leaving to join Leicester.
He brought his new side back to Old Trafford for an FA Cup tie last month, but despite taking the lead, it was Man Utd who prevailed again, beating Leicester 2-1.
So, on Sunday he will become the first manager to take charge of both clubs in a specific Premier League fixture in a single season since Alan Pardew in 2014/15 (Crystal Palace v Newcastle United).
It is a vital match for him and his struggling side in their bid to escape relegation.
Claiming a hat-trick of victories in this fixture would mean plenty to Van Nistelrooy, but United’s fresh attacking impetus makes it feel like he has run into his former club at the wrong time.
