Two pundits agree and one disagrees on Manchester United vs Leicester City score prediction

Manchester United will be looking to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot in the Premier League when they face Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Erik ten Hag's side drew 2-2 with Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie on Thursday night, thanks to a strike from Marcus Rashford and an own goal from Jules Kounde. The Reds welcome the Catalan giants to Old Trafford for the second leg this coming Thursday.

United secured a 2-0 victory over Leeds United in their last Premier League match, having drawn with the Whites in the reverse fixture just four days before. Ten Hag's men currently boast an impressive 16-game unbeaten run at Old Trafford, with the last defeat at home coming in September of last year against Real Sociedad in the Europa League group stages.

Ten Hag will once again be without midfielder Casemiro for the games against Leicester on Sunday, with the Brazilian enforcer serving the last game of his three-match ban following his red card against Crystal Palace. Elsewhere, United remain without several players through injury, with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek sidelined for several months.

Here are the pundits' predictions for United's clash with Leicester:

Chris Sutton (BBC)

"I keep on ruling Manchester United out of the title race - and I still think the title is Manchester City's by the way - but United keep finding a way of winning games, even when they are not at their best, which is a good habit to have.

"We will have to see how Erik ten Hag's squad copes with the volume of matches they face while they are in the Europa League, and Thursday's game against Barcelona is obviously a big distraction for them.

"Leicester got a great win over Tottenham last time out, and it's clear what an enormous difference it makes for them to have James Maddison fit again.

"I reserve the right to change my prediction after the Barca game but at the moment United have the confidence and belief to carry them through tight games, which is what I think will happen here."

Sutton's prediction: United 2-1 Leicester

Paul Merson (Sportskeeda)

"What a game! This is a match where there will be goals. We're seeing a different Leicester team now. They've got all their players fit. If you played Leicester City four weeks ago, it was a foregone conclusion. Now, they're flying!

"Manchester United will have to do without Casemiro and Eriksen. If you look at United's team against Leeds last week, it's evident that Ten Hag is putting a lot into the Barcelona game. With Arsenal losing again yesterday, United are suddenly in it again. Marcus Rashford seems revitalised. He was doing it before he fell out of form, and he wasn't confident last season. Man United were not very good against Leeds, but it always felt like they were going to win. Bruno Fernandes also seems a different player now.

"I think Antony will take some time to get going. We've seen it with Grealish, who was playing in the Premier League every week. People say that Antony doesn't have the end product, but he takes the ball up the pitch - if you're a defender, you won't like what he does. I think Antony's under the impression that he's got to do a trick to impress everybody - that's not the case. He's coming into the Premier League from a lesser league and he's playing for the biggest club in the world. Antony will take his time and learn.

"At the moment, I'd go with Antony, Rashford, and Jadon Sancho up front. It's tricky with Alejandro Garnacho because he's an impact player. When he starts, he struggles sometimes. It's difficult to come on as a substitute and catch up with the pace of the game, and he's very good at that.

"This is going to be a proper test for Manchester United. Leicester have got nothing to lose and they'll look to wreak havoc. United do not have Casemiro in their midfield, and Leicester could run through them a few times. Man United are very good going forward and I do see them scoring goals, but I think Leicester will cause them a few problems."

Merson's prediction: United 2-2 Leicester

Mark Lawrenson (Paddy Power)

"Manchester United are going well in general. Leicester hammered Tottenham 4-1 last time and they’ve scored four in each of their last two which is some going. I think United will edge this, though.

"They’re not under the radar but they’re just going along nicely, there’s no problems. They’ve been able to rotate a lot and still win and when you’ve got a player in Marcus Rashford guaranteeing a goal a game that’s almost like a head start."

Lawrenson's prediction: United 2-1 Leicester