Manchester United v Leicester City
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick off: 4pm
Nigel Pearson is eager to put Leicester City’s 5-3 win over Manchester United firmly in the past ahead of today’s return fixture.
Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson does not believe his side’s victory over Manchester United earlier in the season will have any bearing on today’s return fixture at Old Trafford.
Pearson’s men stunned United when they recorded a 5-3 win in a thrilling Premier League encounter at the King Power Stadium in September.
United opened up a 2-0 lead early on in that fixture, before Leicester clawed their way back to claim a memorable three points.
Leicester’s season hit a downward curve after that triumph, as they went 13 matches without a win.
Pearson is confident his players will not be distracted on Saturday by fond memories of their United scalp.
“I think we’ve spent so long putting that behind us,” he said. “It’s long gone.
“We’re looking at this game from the perspective of where we are now, and that’s it.
“We just want to concentrate on how we prepare for this game, knowing full well that a lot has changed since then in terms of ourselves and our opponents.
“They’ve had a very good run of results, played different formations.
“It’s always a difficult place to go, but our players are looking forward to it and we need to look forward to games like this.
“Big stadiums, big teams we’re playing against and it’s important we go there and do what we can.”
Fourth-placed United, meanwhile, are out to avenge that unexpected defeat.
Writing in his blog earlier this week, Juan Mata said: “The previous match with them left us with a bad taste; we want to change that and offer a good game to our crowd.”
United are without Ashley Young (hamstring), while Leicester could welcome back Liam Moore (ankle) and Matthew Upson (foot), but Chris Wood (ankle) has been ruled out for three weeks and Riyad Mahrez remains on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Algeria.
" he added. Carver has been boosted by the returns of Gabriel Obertan and Mehdi Abeid from thigh and toe injuries respectively " he said. "A similar performance and result will see a smile back on my face. "We've got 16 games left. Why can't we go on a run? I've seen enough to suggest we can." Carver a brace from Moussa Sissoko and further goals from Loic Remy and Vurnon Anita doing the damage. A similar showing would be a welcome relief to a Newcastle side who have failed to win any of the four m Abel Hernandez (groin) and Andy Robertson (ankle). In the reverse fixture earlier this season Carver described his pride at taking the Newcastle role until at least May and stated that he is keen to fully implement his own ideas. "I'm so proud and honoured to be able to be head coach of a football cl EPL Mohamed Diame (both knee) Newcastle face a side who sit in the relegation zone having lost three of their past four league matches. A crippling injury list has hindered manager Steve Bruce Newcastle plans to end winless run against Tigers Hull City v Newcastle United Venue: KC Stadium Kick off:1:30pm A recent blip has dented Newcastle United's progress and John Carver wants the winning Papiss Cisse's late double denied Hull victory in a 2-2 draw in September. Leicester City Red Devil remains optimistic that victory today could be the catalyst for an upturn in fortunes. "Last season at Hull was one of our best performances of the season while the game comes too soon for Siem de Jong (knee) who has been absent since August. In Hull who has been forced to make do without the likes of Nikica Jelavic who this week was confirmed as head coach until the end of the season whose side have slipped to 11th