The hosts come into the match now sitting sixth in the Premier League table with a game in hand over most of the teams around them, while Leeds were big winners against Newcastle United last time out.
Browsing: Old Trafford
The empty stands no doubt played a part in the 183rd Manchester derby lacking bite and intensity, nine months on from a packed crowd roaring their side to victory in what proved to be the last Old Trafford match with supporters.
Just one of Man United’s 10 points so far this term has come on home territory, but they face a West Brom side struggling in the relegation zone without a win home or away so far in 2020-21.
The Gunners had not enjoyed such a win in 29 games since their victory at Manchester in January 2015.
Though reasons for Ighalo not being listed for action was sketchy as at press time, Fred, Nemanja Matic, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek were favoured for the bench role.
The Red Devils go into the match off the back of a memorable Champions League triumph in Paris, while Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Sevilla in midweek.
United go into the game off the back of successive wins over Brighton & Hove Albion over the past week, while Spurs have so far coped well with a particularly relentless schedule.
Manchester United get their 2020-21 campaign belatedly underway when they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford this afternoon.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to lift Manchester City’s two-season European ban meant a fifth-placed Premier League finish would not be enough to seal a return to the continent’s top table.
Bournemouth lie 19th in the table on 27 points – one adrift of safety – whereas United are two behind fourth-placed Chelsea, having amassed 52 points from 32 matches.
Smalling has impressed for Roma during the 2019-20 campaign, making 30 appearances in all competitions, while Sanchez has scored once in 19 outings for Inter since arriving last summer.
The French forward scored two similar goals in the opening half at Old Trafford, firing United into a seventh minute lead when he reacted instinctively with his weaker left foot after good work by Marcus Rashford on the right flank.
Ighalo arrived at Old Trafford on a four-month loan deal from Shanghai Shenhua in January and has been a success with four goals in eight appearances.
Ighalo was a surprise addition for United on Deadline Day, as the Red Devils scrambled to find a striker to replace Marcus Rashford, while the Englishman was injured.
As it stands, the Nigerian is due to return to his parent club at the end of May, but United are allegedly attempting to extend the striker’s stay at Old Trafford until at least the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
Ighalo arrived at Old Trafford on a short-term loan deal in January, and despite the season not yet finishing due to the coronavirus, his contract is due to expire on Sunday.
The 30-year-old joined the Red Devils on loan during the January transfer window and scored four times in his first eight appearances for the club before the majority of football across the globe was called to a halt.
Newcastle United could look to elbow Manchester United aside and complete a permanent deal for on-loan Old Trafford striker Odion Ighalo, who is due to return to China in July.
Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo has revealed that club legend Andy Cole gave him a surprise phone call on the morning of his move to Old Trafford.
Odion Ighalo will have to wait to learn if Manchester United will make his loan from Shanghai Shenhua into a permanent transfer, according to reports.