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Leicester v Manchester United: Foxes have game-plan to exploit visitors' defence, says Kevin Phillips

'New signing Leonardo Ulloa in fine form'

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13:  Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City celebrates scoring the first goal with David Nugent and Jeffrey Schlupp of Leices
Image: Ulloa: in-form striker will be a threat against Man Utd, says Phillips

Manchester United come to the King Power Stadium on Sunday and it’s going to be a great test for our Leicester players.

I was in talking to our analysts on Monday, going through videos and looking at how we can get through the United defence – and we’ve got some plans in place.
Kevin Phillips

I remember when I was playing I would always look forward to these occasions, when some of the top players in the world would come to your home ground.

Can you compete? Can you, as an individual, go up against some of the league’s best players and come out on top? I know our lads are relishing the opportunity as well.

We’ve already shown against Arsenal that at home we’re a match for anybody in the Premier League at home and after getting our first win of the season at Stoke last weekend – never the easiest place to go – we go into Sunday’s game feeling confident.

Of course, Man United are on a high, too, after they beat QPR 4-0, with Angel di Maria and Wayne Rooney looking good and Radamel Falcao adding to their great options up front.

Stop

However, I’m not going to jump on the bandwagon like some pundits have and start suggesting they are suddenly going to finish second or third, when a couple of weeks ago the same pundits were tipping them to end up outside the top six.

QPR were very poor on the day and you’d expect United to beat them at Old Trafford anyway. Yes, they’ve got a strong squad and it would be no surprise if they went on a winning streak now – but it’s our job to stop them.

Their defence certainly isn’t as strong as their attacking options and that’s an area we’ve got to try and exploit and, as striking coach, that falls under my remit.

As I do every week, no matter who we’re playing, I was in talking to our analysts on Monday, going through videos and looking at how we can get through the United defence – and we’ve got some plans in place.

We haven’t gone overboard worrying about them too much in training this week, though. We’ve been doing a lot of our regular drills and exercises, such as one-touch finishing – which paid off last week.

Chances

Leonardo Ulloa scored like that at the Britannia; the ball was a bit behind him and he did great to move his feet, get something on it and tuck it away. It’s such an important skill and Chris Wood scored in a similar way earlier in the season.

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Leo has started in great form, though.

He’s scored three in four and it’s great to see how well he’s settled in after his record-transfer from Brighton in the summer and how he’s adapted to the Premier League.

I’m sure some of our other strikers are a bit envious it’s him getting all the goals but as long as the team are doing well, that’s all that matters.

I know from my own career that as a striker you want to feel like you’re contributing but I’m sure if the other forwards keep working hard and playing their part, as they are, then chances will fall their way, too – they just need to make sure they’re ready to take them.

You have to be a bit selfish as a striker to score goals but there are plenty of games to go this season and opportunities will keep falling their way if we continue how we’ve started. 

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